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Filter Suggestions Anonymous
So, /pho/, i've been looking at filters for a bit now. Only problem is which ones I should start off with and which brand is best. I've heard lots of good stuff about B+W as well as hoya and cokin.

I was hoping to get a couple polarized circular filters as well as some Graduated Neutral Density Filters.

What do you guise recommend? I mostly take pictures in the city and would like more contrast or I take photos in dark areas where i want more saturation/brightness but without the harsh lighting of a flash.

I also take pictures of skyscapes and sunsets and such.
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>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
It all depends on your budget.

I've got B+W ND filters, and they are pretty good... but they aren't perfectly neutral and cast a pink tinge to my shots... which i actually like alot and is easily fixable since i shoot raw... but they are expensive. about 120 dollars US a pop (for 77mm thread)

Their CPL range is varied and is pretty good, prices also vary depending on coating/size/quality.

Hoya's are fairly cheap (aside from their Pro 1 range) and Cokin holders are the cheapest as are their filters... their quality is reflected in the price.

Goto flickr and check some of the discussions on this. It helped me alot.

But one thing worth noting is if you're shooting ultra wide you will need a better holder. Also you definitely need AT LEAST a 3 stop GND filter, sometimes i've had to stack to 5 stops just to get a balance.
>> Anonymous
I think graduated neutral density filters aren't as useful or effective as post processing.

Polarized and uniformed neutral filters can't be done in post processing... the latter being useful for long exposures in bright light... so you can get motion, but not blow the highlights.
>> Anonymous
>>99796
theyre useful if you often shoot something that has a dynamic range bigger than your camera can handle!
>> Anonymous
>>99797

LOL Thats a really good point!
>> elf_man !!DdAnyoDMfCe
>>99796
Yeah, if underexposing to save highlights means a pure black silhouette, even shooting in raw won't help.
>>99790
But you gotta get one of the square ones, it's more involved but the screw on ones place the horizon in the middle of the frame, and that's usually what you don't want to do.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>99797

Post processing also usually means you have to shoot separate exposures to get the best exposure out of the foreground and backgrounds... if it goes wrong and doesn't align...

Getting it right the first time in camera also makes PP so much easier...the best is when it's not even necessary. That feeling of knowing you've gotten that shot and there's nothing that needs changing is unbeatable.
>> Anonymous
so if i get a polarizing filter, which brand should i get? i have a nikon d40
>> Anonymous
>>100372

The rule of thumb is when you need to ask a question like that, you probably don't even need it.
>> Anonymous
>>100372
Any screw-in one will do; the more expensive the better the glass, usually and unfortunately. Fortunately, they're all good enough really.

Avoid ones sold by camera companies (i.e. Canon filters, Nikon filters), as they're rebranded ones from other companies, Tiffen usually I think.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>100377

Not true for Nikon, they make their own filters are and up there if not better than most. I have a Nikon II Circular Polariser, at 3mm it's thin as heck and the thread is a little wider for those ultra wides. Slightly cheaper than the Hoya Pro-1 and B+W Kaisemann but just as good if not better.
>> Anonymous
>>100450

Any reviews where they are compared? I could say the Tiffen ones are awesome if I didn't know any better and no one could call my bluff.
>> Anonymous
>>100450
Didn't know that. Have to keep that in mind.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>100451

I doubt it, plenty of people here know what they're talking about.

The canon filters aren't bad, it's just that you can buy the exact same Tiffen filters for half the price.

Funnily enough i don't think there are any comprehensive reviews of circular polarisers.

But i have tried the B+W Kaisemann, Hoya Pro D-1 and the Nikon CPL II. All are fantastic and you wouldnt go run with any, i chose the Nikon because it was the cheapest and thinnest at 3mm.

They all run at about 140-170 US dollars (for the 77mm). The B+W gets more expensive as there are more coating options.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>100372

The regular Hoyas are probably the way to go. At about 40-50 bucks a pop, the HMC ones have decent quality.