Newbie Guide to Filters


Thanks Shaoken, but I doubt the step-down is a issue.
For the shots, a Tamron 18-200mm Aspherical LD XR DiII 3.5-6.3 (62mm) on a Nikon D40x was used.
It was taken at 18mm, and even with a 1.5x crop factor, why do vignetting still occur?
Does anyone else have any advice? Thanks.

when you put on the filter holder, did you remove all other filters? you have to remove all UV, CPL, whatever filters on your lens...
So when you screw your lens adapter in, it should only be screwing into the thread of your lens....

If you are using a step down ring... what size step down are you using? And what thread size of the filter holder adapter ring are you using?

Maybe, just set up the filter and everything you normally do... then use your phone and snap a picture of your setup and post here.
 

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when you put on the filter holder, did you remove all other filters? you have to remove all UV, CPL, whatever filters on your lens...
So when you screw your lens adapter in, it should only be screwing into the thread of your lens....

If you are using a step down ring... what size step down are you using? And what thread size of the filter holder adapter ring are you using?

Maybe, just set up the filter and everything you normally do... then use your phone and snap a picture of your setup and post here.

Ok thanks. I shall just do that.
1st photo: Cokin P holder, 62mm adapter ring, ND & GND filter
2nd photo: Filter setup on 18-200mm lens (w/o CPL or UV)

IMG_05343.jpg
[/IMG]

IMG_0535.JPG
 

In these photos, you will see what I mean...

DSC_0255a1.jpg

Photo 1 (above): The vignetting seems quite bad, plus flare is seen
DSC_0303a.jpg

Photo 2 (above): You still can see some vignetting here.

Perhaps my technical skill is just plain lousy. If so, pls comment also.
My horizon lines are out of whack, I know. (It was getting really dark). Will buy a horseshoe spirit level soon...
 

In these photos, you will see what I mean...


Photo 1 (above): The vignetting seems quite bad, plus flare is seen

Photo 2 (above): You still can see some vignetting here.

Perhaps my technical skill is just plain lousy. If so, pls comment also.
My horizon lines are out of whack, I know. (It was getting really dark). Will buy a horseshoe spirit level soon...

Those are not vignette. That is what we call light fall off. It is normal light is low and concentrated on the horizon and when on small apertures with strong ND and GND filters. For pic 1, what was the aperture used?

I see it from time to time as well.

5518681125_c241510c5e_z.jpg


This is
 

Those are not vignette. That is what we call light fall off. It is normal light is low and concentrated on the horizon and when on small apertures with strong ND and GND filters. For pic 1, what was the aperture used?

I see it from time to time as well.

This is

Thanks Daredevil, appreciate it.
I wasn't aware of this thing called 'light fall off'.

Btw, below are the photo details:
EXIF Summary: 1/125s f/8.0 ISO100 18mm (35mm eq:27mm)
 

Hmm i was thinking to buy a UV filter for my prime lens, thread 62mm. Was looking at reviews and comments for both Hoya HD and B+W XS-Pro MRC, and i'm still not very sure which filter to buy. Any ideas or recommendations?
The lens is a 30mm F1.4 Sigma @ $500 (grey set), so would i be better off shooting without any filter?
Thanks!
 

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Hmm i was thinking to buy a UV filter for my prime lens, thread 62mm. Was looking at reviews and comments for both Hoya HD and B+W XS-Pro MRC, and i'm still not very sure which filter to buy. Any ideas or recommendations?
The lens is a 30mm F1.4 Sigma @ $500 (grey set), so would i be better off shooting without any filter?
Thanks!
that 2 filter u mention have been discuss many times in other thread and even in this thread.
read up and u will know. if still unsure. dont buy.
 

TWmilkteaTW said:
that 2 filter u mention have been discuss many times in other thread and even in this thread.
read up and u will know. if still unsure. dont buy.

Hi, may I ask you where did you see the 2 filters I mentioned being discuss in thus thread with your 'sharp' eyes. And if there are other threads out there, please do link them here because I don't remember seeing any. Lastly, which part do you not understand that I've read up on reviews and comments on both filters?
If you don't want to help, it's fine by me. Thanks. :)
 

Hi, may I ask you where did you see the 2 filters I mentioned being discuss in thus thread with your 'sharp' eyes. And if there are other threads out there, please do link them here because I don't remember seeing any. Lastly, which part do you not understand that I've read up on reviews and comments on both filters?
If you don't want to help, it's fine by me. Thanks. :)

Here:


Which UV filter brand and model?

So which UV filter is the best? Which is the most value for money? Which should I buy?
lenstip.com did a comprehensive and controlled test of 20 of the more popular UV filters on the market. You can read the entire test below. The results may surprise you. But do note that some of the new recently released filters (like Hoya HD and Kenko Zeta) were not included in this test.

Lenstip.com's UV Filter Test - [url]http://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test.html[/URL]
 


This group of test did not have the hoya HD filter in it because it wasn't released that time i think. They tested it again and both had the same score if i remember correctly, so i'm still not sure which to buy. x/
 

This group of test did not have the hoya HD filter in it because it wasn't released that time i think. They tested it again and both had the same score if i remember correctly, so i'm still not sure which to buy. x/

Thanks for the heads up, I have updated the thread to add a link to the supplemental test by lenstip.com.

If they score the same then optically they are very close. So now you have to look at the other features of the filters. Most people go for B+W due to the fact that it is very easy to clean. As you can see in the video, the Hoya HD is as easy, if not easier, to clean.

Also do note that the Hoya HD only scored 5/10 in UV blocking. Do not forget that UV light do not affect Digital sensors in any way. So even with 5/10 in UV transmission, it still tied B&W MRC for 3rd place after Hoya HMC and Hoya Pro1D. Price wise, Hoya HD is pretty close to B+W. If you go for Kenko (which is slightly cheaper than Hoya), you will save some cash.

I put my money in Kenko Zeta (identical to Hoya HD). Due to the properties explained in the video below. That is my personal opinion. You might have other reasons to choose B+W. BTW, Kenko just released their Zeta EX line. I saw their CPL, and it is absolutely the thinnest CPL I have ever seen in my life. You can see it here: http://www.kenkoglobal.com/zeta-ex_features.html

[vid]cT6wBQR7iqE[/vid]
 

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Pardon for asking what are the equivalents for Hoya nd400 in other brands?

I believe nd400 is abt 9 stops

Cost abt $13x so I'm thinking to see if there's other alternatives
 

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Pardon for asking what are the equivalents for Hoya nd400 in other brands?

I believe nd400 is abt 9 stops

Cost abt $13x so I'm thinking to see if there's other alternatives

The equivalent is the Kenko ND400. No sure about the pricing.

Others are all 10 stop ND: ND110, Lee Big Stopper, Hitech 10 stop pro.
 

Hi guys,
Pardon me for asking.
Hoya nd400 is 9stops, or alittle less like 8.67.
So when I times the calculation, I just times it with like 500?

Thanks
 

Hi guys,
Pardon me for asking.
Hoya nd400 is 9stops, or alittle less like 8.67.
So when I times the calculation, I just times it with like 500?

Thanks

ND400 = just multiply shutter speed by 400.
 

any idea if there are any local shops carrying hitech filter holders?
 

cheesy said:
any idea if there are any local shops carrying hitech filter holders?

What TK foto once told me is that, the price of hitech holder is not much cheaper than of Lee's. Hence they stop bringing in hitech holders.

If u are looking for a cheaper solution, you can try ur luck at orient photo and ask for China 100mm filter holder. If ur filter is 85mm type, the cokin P filter is cheap and good.
 

ah thanks! but the Lee Foundation Kit only can hold 100mm filters right? do they have any for 85mm filters?
 

No they do not, they only have 100mm filters
 

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