I´m interesting in buying filters to my camera, but I don´t know what kind of different filters are, so I would like to know something about the different filters and their utility.
Do you intend to buy everything on the market? Because if you don't, you better mention what are you thinking to use them for. Nudes, wild life.... I think you got my ideea.
A circular polarizer and maybe a UV, if you want to use it as a lens protecter, are all you really need with a digital camera. The effect of any other filter can be acheived with software. Just my opinion, but I'd say save your money.
A circular polarizer and maybe a UV, if you want to use it as a lens protecter, are all you really need with a digital camera. The effect of any other filter can be acheived with software. Just my opinion, but I'd say save your money.
Not true.
You can't duplicate neutral density filters in software. ND filters aren't generally a requirement, but the do give you a lot of exposure latitude that you would not normally have.
I guess I don't understand ND filters. I thought you could get the same effect in software, or by adjusting your camera's exposure. When you say they "give you a lot of exposure latitude that you would not normally have", is that the same as saying that they extend the range in which you can adjust your camera's exposure?
I guess I don't understand ND filters. I thought you could get the same effect in software, or by adjusting your camera's exposure. When you say they "give you a lot of exposure latitude that you would not normally have", is that the same as saying that they extend the range in which you can adjust your camera's exposure?
Neutral density filters can be used for several things....
1 - they reduce the amount of light coming into your lens by however many stops the filter is rated at. Generally, you can get 1,2, and 3 stop filters (more stops are available as well).
2- this reduced light allows you to create longer shutter speeds when you would otherwise not be able to without overexposing (waterfall shots when the light is a bit bright, for example).
3 - they allow you to use a wider aperture for less depth of field when the light may be too bright to do so without overexposing.
I guess I don't understand ND filters. I thought you could get the same effect in software, or by adjusting your camera's exposure. When you say they "give you a lot of exposure latitude that you would not normally have", is that the same as saying that they extend the range in which you can adjust your camera's exposure?
Imagine trying to take a shot with motion blur, outside, on a fairly bright day. Your camera wants to use f8 aperture and 1/1000" shutter speed. You want a shutter speed of maybe 1/4 or 1/10 of a second. If you try it, you are going to get a very, very bright image, where everything is all blown out and white. The details are not recoverable by software in that situation. But suppose you had some way to darken your scene, so that a longer shutter speed would be possible: Ahhh, ND filters. Put one on there, your camera is fooled to think it's darker outside, and you get correct exposure while achieving the blurred effect you want.
I guess I don't understand ND filters. I thought you could get the same effect in software, or by adjusting your camera's exposure. When you say they "give you a lot of exposure latitude that you would not normally have", is that the same as saying that they extend the range in which you can adjust your camera's exposure?
Basically, a ND filter does not change the color of or distort the image, but simply reduces the amount of light allowed to pass through the lens. What this does is require more light to get the correct exposure. WHY would you want to do this? There are 2 basic reasons: You want to shoot with the aperture wide open, or you want to make a long exposure and the light on your subject is too bright to allow the aperture or exposure you want.
if anything buy a UV(i think some brands call it sky/light) filter. it will protect your lens for a cheap price.
depending on what kind of photography you'll be doing, will depend on what filters to buy. there are a lot of filters that are sold. as setz and coolhar pointed out, most effects can be duplicated in the digital darkroom, ie. color effects/corrections. although some can only be done with a filter, ie. ND filter.
I have a cross screen filter (bought for my F717, which has 58mm threads like the lens that comes with the rebel). It does nice little light lines on christmas tree lights. I believe it is the only way to reach that effect DPCLegal.
I need to pick up a uv filter for the rebel lens (for today i'll probably snag the one off the sony). The tamron lens I found at the pawn shop yesterday (80-210mm for $70) already had a uv filter, but it's a 52mm so I'll need to get a polarizer for it for when I go to Florida in December...gonna get photos of manatees :D.
I have some other "fun" filters like a 5 part refracting filter that I got cheap on ebay, but for NEED, just the uv and polarizing...and the cross screen for the lights LOL.
The effect of any other filter can be acheived with software. Just my opinion, but I'd say save your money.
In fact, slightly wrong again on another count. A graduated ND filter can't be completely duplicated in software either. On the face of it, it can - simply add a graduated fill layer right? Wrong. A ND graduated filter is usually better used in 'pre-processing' (i.e. on the camera) when it can prevent blown out highlights. Detail from blown out highlights can almost never be recovered in software.
BTW - one trick to figure out if you could benefit from a ND grad during shooting is to take a test shot and check the histogram output afterward (if your camera will let you do that). A large spike (or 'clipping') at the right hand (white) side indicates overexposure. In fact, my D100 will even superimpose overexposed areas on the image on the LCD screen.
