Filters: I have recently purchased two filters Uv and a polar When should I use each one ? I mean in which situation would you use one over the other?

JEEPER Loc: Labrador City NL Canada

I have recently purchased two filters
Uv and a polar
When should I use each one ?
I mean in which situation would you use one over the other?

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Use a Polarizer to remove "shininess" from leaves or to darken the blue in skies. It will work best/most when your subject is 90 degrees to the sun and you turn it for the effect you want (careful not to over do it with the sky. You can turn the sky a very unnatural black/navy color). The UV, IMHO, is useless. Some folks leave one on the lens to protect the front element in the lens from scratches. I am more careful and prefer not to use one at all in order to get the best performance out of the lens that I can. Lens designers don't design their lenses out of expensive glass and lens coatings planning for someone to put a cheap piece of glass in front of them.

JEEPER Loc: Labrador City NL Canada

True that, so the uv wouldn't help with haze?

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

The UV filter has no effect on a digital camera so it is pretty much irrelevant when you use it. A polarizer is used to eliminate glare and make the sky bluer. Use it in bright daylight especially when shooting highly reflective surfaces. Also, try using Bing or Google. There's a vast wealth of knowledge out there in the interweb.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

cameraf4 wrote:

Use a Polarizer to remove "shininess" fr... (show quote)

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

JEEPER wrote:

True that, so the uv wouldn't help with haze?

The UV as a UV filter is useless on a Digital camera and with most newer lenses, however Canon says to put one (I think it is actually Canon's clear filter) on their 24-105 to weather seal it. In my case I carry one with me and use it if I'm in an area where there is a lot of dust or water spray or rain and I want to protect the front of the lens. Otherwise I don't use one, but that is just me, other folks have different experiences. The three lenses I use the most are all the same filter size so I can use the same filter on all of them and don't have to buy extra filters. Just a thought.

JEEPER Loc: Labrador City NL Canada

Thanks I guess I'll just use the uv as a lens protector then, the pol I'll put on for outdoor shots! 👍🏼👍🏼

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

JEEPER wrote:

True that, so the uv wouldn't help with haze?

I respectfully disagree with the UHH members who say that UV filters are "useless" - B+W and Hoya both make quality filters labeled as "UV/Haze" filters which can improve on hazy, morning or seaside scenes. I've used them and been pleased with the result. /Ralph

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

JEEPER wrote:

Thanks I guess I'll just use the uv as a lens protector then, the pol I'll put on for outdoor shots! 👍🏼👍🏼

Remember to Circular Polarizer only works at right angles to direct light like the sun which is why it turns and is adjustable. You usually have to watch it through the view finder or live view and you turn it to adjust it to get the right effect.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

JEEPER wrote:

Thanks I guess I'll just use the uv as a lens protector then, the pol I'll put on for outdoor shots! 👍🏼👍🏼

FWIW - I started out with a UV filter on every lens, mainly because the photo store clerk recommended it for "lens protection".

Later on I learned that often a cheap uv filter is used, which offers little "protection" and often reduces the sharpness of the image.

In normal shooting situations, a lens hood offers plenty of "protection", the front element of a lens is pretty tough anyway, but in situations of a dirty or hazardous environment like blowing sand, a UV filter can definitely help, BUT spend a few extra dollars to get a UV filter that causes no loss of quality to your images.

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

Dngallagher wrote:

FWIW - I started out with a UV filter on every len... (show quote)

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

rjaywallace wrote:

I respectfully disagree with the UHH members who say that UV filters are "useless" - B+W and Hoya both make quality filters labeled as "UV/Haze" filters which can improve on hazy, morning or seaside scenes. I've used them and been pleased with the result. /Ralph

CHEAP filters of any kind are useless, unless you are going for fuzzy, poor quality images of course ;)

I do like B+W for their quality and materials, and will use a UV filter in addition to my lens hood in harsh environments, in normal shooting though, lens hood without any additional glass to get in the way. Hoya also makes good filters.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

JEEPER wrote:

I have recently purchased two filters
Uv and a polar
When should I use each one ?
I mean in which situation would you use one over the other?

I use a protective filter (Clear, not UV) when shooting at the beach to protect the front element from blowing sand and salt spray. Other than that I leave it off.

The CP (Circular Polarizer) filter is very useful. As cameraf4 said it can be used to cut glare from non-metallic surfaces, reduce reflections, make clouds stand out and pump-up colors.
You would not want to keep a CP filter on your lens all the time, but have one with you for when you need it.

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

Mac wrote:

I use a protective filter (Clear, not UV) when shooting at the beach to protect the front element from blowing sand and salt spray. Other than that I leave it off.

The CP (Circular Polarizer) filter is very useful. As cameraf4 said it can be used to cut glare from non-metallic surfaces, reduce reflections, make clouds stand out and pump-up colors.
You would not want to keep a CP filter on your lens all the time, but have one with you for when you need it.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Just one more comment about "Haze". By definition, it is "Atmospheric moisture, dust, smoke, and vapor that diminishes visibility.' Again, IMHO, no piece of glass that one puts on the front of a camera lens will "sweep" all of that out of the air. I have found that a polarizer may sometimes help but I suspect that is because it increases contrast a little.