Is filter important?

[sihin]

Recently just purchased a 50D and they add on a lens filter for me ( cheap type ).

Is it important to have a good filter instead of cheap type? :dunno:

 

[Daedalus Trent]

Try shooting with and without the filter in a controlled environment.

Do you yourself see a difference? If not, then it don't matter :bsmilie:

 

[Dream Merchant]

Do a search about filters here on CS as well as on the net.

A UV or clear filter is good for general protection, but people usually like to use the best quality filters they can afford to minimize image degradation or flaring.

 

[night86mare]

Recently just purchased a 50D and they add on a lens filter for me ( cheap type ).

Is it important to have a good filter instead of cheap type? :dunno:

too cheap is no good, you will get:

1) flaring problems easily, when shooting against the sun
2) ghosting problems easily, when shooting at night when there are a lot of light sources all over the place
3) image degradation
4) filter harder to clean, this point not very important

what is your lens filter?

i suggest hoya or kenko as minimum standards.

otherwise, not using a uv filter is fine, just be more careful. a lens is not so easily scratched. i have no uv filters on my lenses. i used to have one, but it served more like a lens cap. :bsmilie:

 

[lenscrazy]

If you have an expensive lens, you'll probably want a good filter.

 

[Blur Shadow]

What you pay is what you get. A better quality filter will minimize the detrimental effects of having an additional piece of glass in front of your lens.

 

[ianhyk]

if I were you, I would either get a good filter, or not put a filter at all but use lens hood for protection. its your personal choice.. but if your worry is front element kena scratch, then i tell you it's not that easy to scratch one.. haha just use with care

 

[MrKami]

B+W would be good

 

[cookiestar84]

I'm sorry to interrupt but its also on Filter issues. everybody being toking about filters, how about Cokin type? Do you know where to get those in Singapore instead of online?

Hi sihin,
Sorry to borrow ur thread, i hope you wun mind. I've a newbie and i had bought quite a lot of filters for myself, Mainly Hoya type....no other brand... CPL lar....CPL HD....Normal type
Instead i use only the normal type frequently...because i often find it a hassle to change...in the end....ending up things i dun nid to buy....
Do consider the pros and cons for each...if you want nice effect look for those gradual ND type like cokin....or tianya....Maybe they will be the one u fancy more...

 

[shelomoh]

Yes it is important depending on what you want to do with it.

For harsh sun light, you will want filters like CPL.

For taking reflections off, you will want ND4.

For macro, you may want close up filters but this is not a must.

There are a lot of other filters that have their purposes.

For general ones like for protections, this is a never ending debate. It is up to you.

 

[miaoteh]

....
For taking reflections off, you will want ND4.
...

u need CPL to take off reflection, not ND filter.

 

[horizon_grazer]

For taking reflections off, you will want ND4.

This is misleading to a newbie :nono: