Do You Use Lens Filters?

I use polarizer and ND filters, really like my graduated ND filter....

a polarizer is nice... but your images will be darker, the iso higher and they might be a little softer. and in my case, they vignette.

what you might be seeing is that your getting less light and the images are darker. because unless you adjust each shot, the pol may not do anything. it only works in certain kinds of light. i use it when i want to see past reflections on windows, water, etc. its nice for fall trees or any time you want to remove the reflections from those things. but it can make the scene flatter, because the reflections do add to it.

i have a magnetic mount so its easy on and off for me. but i found more times than not, it doesn't help that much, and when i look up close, the camera choose a high iso to compensate. so its not really used that often. and because of the vignetting, i don't use the UV filter any more either.

anything else more special can be done in photoshop.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

These days, I usually keep a UV filter over my lens. But back in the pre-digital, 35mm era, I lugged around a huge filter kit -- including Full Cokin and Tiffen pro-level filter sets.

Beyond just polarizing, skylight, or UV filters, I wanted immediate access to all manner of creative possibilities, outside of the darkroom. No surprise I eventually became a devotee of Photoshop and extreme post-processing. :-)

I only use polarize lens once for a while. Of course painting is my main focus :).

Mike I shoot solely in Manual Mode so my ISO stayed at 100 :) I did notice it darkened some images a bit more that I thought, but they lightened up in Lightroom well enough. I pretty much remembered to adjust the CPL, to my surprise, but still forgot to change the f/ at times, which gave me softness on some images. lol I thought it would become second nature by now, but oh no.

Brian I'm sure I have a GradND, though like the CPL, I forget to use it. The ND doesn't need to be adjusted like the CPL or does it?

Wendy, I am just a newbie with 35mm and large format. Though since I've fallen in love with Large Format, I'm working on equipment for my darkroom and am taking classes from a great Prof who knows film unbelievably well. :)

Xueling, I cannot paint a stroke. :(

I have both ND and circular polarizers. I believe I read that they are the only filters you need shooting digital, since you can do everything else in post-processing. But I have to admit I don't use them much. It's usually, after I look at the shot in the computer -- "I should have used a polarizer!".

ND filters for waterfalls to increase the length of exposure. Polarizing filters to cut glare. You don't just stick on a filter forever though.

I use UV filter for lens front element protection, Circular Poloraizer Filter for cutting glare or add saturation to the sky, ND filter to get long exposure in certain cases (waterfall, moving clouds etc) and graduated ND filter (GND) to balance the exposure across brighter and shadow areas.

I never use a UV or Skylight for lens protection. Every transition (lens surface) degrades the image ever so lightly. I do use a CPL to enhance skies and clouds when shooting during the day. Early and late golden hours get no filtering at all. MY ND filters are used when I need to slow the shutter for "motion" in water scenes - or, for a drastically long exposure to get people out of a scene (which sometimes works and sometimes does not).


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~ Bill
~ US Pictures .com

I use a Circular Polarizer frequently and a Big Stopper ND infrequently. I used to use graduated NDs, but that's easier to do in Lightroom and I have more control, so I stopped doing that. I used to have a UV filter for all my lenses, but I stopped that after I read this article:

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2011/06/good-times-with-bad-filters

Duane Miller
duanemillerphotography.com

the problem with pol's are - if you forget its on, and go inside, your images will suffer. i've made that mistake enough times to know that i can edit things later if i want more saturation. only use tools when you can't do anything else.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Duane, I honestly can't figure out how that particular article could have any impact on the way you (or anyone else) shoots photographs in the real world.

I'm still trying to find a way to retrieve the few minutes I spent reading it! ;-)

I still use effects like soft focus, star and rainbow, but just for fun if the scenes are a bit lacklustre, to see what happens. They usually don't add much because they're limited by what they do. Soft can be done easily by any program with layers, star is okay for reflected water highlights and stars occasionally, and rainbow is usually just too much of a muchness - best on candles and streetlights, but usually I look at the with and without and choose the without

@Charly, no the ND doesn't need to be adjusted, it will reduce the light of the entire lens, while the Grad will only do the top half so that would need to be adjusted.

As to the "protective" or UV Filters, I don't use them.... I spent 1500 dollars for my 70-200 (thats a lot of money for me) and I spent that money for the Canon L glass.... I am not putting another (probably less optical quality) in front of it. I have a lens hood, if that doesn't protect I will save and get a new one.

I leave the polorizor on all the time unless im shooting portraits, you can turn it on and off so to speak, but then I use a tripod all the time too!

TL Mair
http://tlmair.com

Judi, I think after the results I had with some images from yesterday, my CPL will be close by from now on. ;)

Bill you stated you use your ND filters. Forgive my stupidity, but are there different ND filters? When I first started out, I was told to get some filters, but don't have them all with me on this trip to see what I have.

Brian thanks for clarifying! :)

Wendy, the article just demonstrated to me (admittedly to an extreme) the degradation from adding supposedly "clear" filters in front of my expensive glass. Now I don't put any filters on my lens unless there's a specific effect I'm trying to achieve. I've got insurance to protect my lenses; I don't need UV filters.

Sorry you felt your time was wasted.

Duane Miller
duanemillerphotography.com

I have a polarizer for moments like that - I call it my cameras sunglasses

Duane, thanks for explaining your thought process -- which does make sense to me. The article just seemed to have no real-world relevance with all its 'filter stacking', but I get your point.

No worries on my claim of wasted time. It was either the stacked filter article, or reading an update on the West Point Pillow Fight! ;-)

ND and a Polarizer only. I used to play with many different ones but not even I was impressed with the outcome.

Very rarely I use a pol filter. An UV filter for lens protection, I only use in harsh environments, like in small speedboats, with a lot of salt water spraying. Since a long time, I want to experiment with ND filters.

I will now take off my polarizing lens after reading this thread! I'm looking forward to sharper images.

Yes, you should use filters only, if you need them for a special purpose, or special environments.

Sometimes l use graduated neutral density, especially when shooting into the sun.
I use 3 neutral density filters closely packed (16 stops) to do some long exposure
b+w shots. l always use a polariser...

I use filters very frequently. When photographing trains and animals I use no filter, not even UV. in fact, I only use UV as a cover, taking it off before shooting. On landscape like the mountains and lakes I always use the 100mm graduated ND and straight up ND filters only. For waterfalls, rivers and creeks I use CPL and ND filters together. For forest I use a .3 soft edge GND or nothing at all. Filters are essential to me and I have never had any degradation in my photos using them. I take that back, my first CPL was a cheap $15.00 unit that was awful!

I use a cpl all the time in daylight to prevent washed out skies. ND filters 8, 64, 400 and stacked at times to get 2 to 5 minutes of long exposure. I would much rather control the light at the lens than depend on software to mimic the effect. Software is good but can't replace the light controlled at the camera.

I've always had a UV filter on for front element protection (dust, scratches), and I also had a rotating polarizer filter I would use on occasion. Those were the low-cost $9 -$12 types. With my new camera recently purchased, I went with a 67mms Hoya Pro1 Digital Crystal Clear Filter. Digital Multi-coated to help prevent lens flare and reflections. It also has a low profile frame to prevent vignetting. This one ran me around $45.

http://www.hoyafilter.com/hoya/products/hdfilters/hdfilterprotector/

I now need to purchase a polarizing filter. From what I've read, they are more effective if the light is coming from a right angle to the subject, although I have used them at other angles, due to not always being able to select the optimum pov.

http://www.hoyafilter.com/hoya/products/fusionantistaticfilters/cirpl/

On a side note, everyday glare bothers me, my eyes being sensitive to really bright light. Not just when shooting with the camera, but also when driving, or outside, so the last time I bought glasses I went with prescription polarized sunglasses. A world of difference! :)

The thing to watch out for with polarizing filters is the sky. You can get uneven skies with wide angle lens if your view includes light coming from different angles. I don't know about this idea of "all the time" - the filters don't work all the time. If they did, the lens manufacturer would just build them in.

Some of the coatings on the higher end UV filters are amazing - you can't even get a finger print on them.

But I usually go commando with my lenses. But I always had a lens hood in place. My lens hood on my 17-40mm took the brunt of a fall last summer and saved the lens.
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Weird thing with my polarized sunglasses - sometimes I can't see the LCD screens! So weird they just disappear sometimes.

"Weird thing with my polarized sunglasses - sometimes I can't see the LCD screens! So weird they just disappear sometimes."

I've had a similar problem if I'm in the shade trying to read my tablet with my polarized sunglasses on. I used to have the Transition sunglasses that turn dark when going outside, but it didn't work while in the truck/car, due to an apparent uv coating in the window tint. Hence the prescription polarizing sunglasses now for driving.

I don't use the polarizer filter on the camera all the time either.

Really appreciate all the posts!

I'm one who will shoot 24 hrs a day, not just the golden hours; plus only use the viewfinder, never screen. I used the CPL from like 10am to 5pm and mostly in full sun. Often I have to either bracket shots or work an image due to washed out sky. With the CPL, I didn't have to work the sky hardly at all. Once I can get my Mac on WiFi down here (hoping this week), I'll post some of the ones I used the filter on.

None of my images were soft due to using the CPL, only when I forgot to take it off at one spot that had a bit of shade. I instead widen the aperture, which in hindsight I wish I would've remember why it was so dark; the filter duh! Ok I'm new with this so hopefully I'll know the next time ;) I'll be using the CPL quite a bit in the future, now that I see the results and have heard so much good about them here.

Stack filters? Would really like to hear more detail about this.

I sometimes use a 10 stop ND filter to take long exposures during the day. I can do 30 seconds with it on a bright sunny day.

Wow Toby, I had no idea that was possible! Don't know how many times I wanted to slow down exposure during the day and couldn't do it as I wanted. So ND filters come in different stops? I'll need to get out what few filters are in my camera bag to see what I have. Though not sure, I think I only have 1 ND filter.

Yes ND filters come in different stops, and as to your earlier question about stacking filters it is when you screw two, or more, filters on the front of the lens at the same time combining there effect.

Wondering if those of you who stack filters wouldn't mind posting 1 image and tell me what filters you stacked, the ISO, f/stop and speed. The approx. time of day would be nice too; as I stated earlier I shoot during the day, quite a bit actually and would like to see what results are produced by doing this. Thanks!

On this shot, http://fineartamerica.com/featured/crabtree-falls-derek-thornton.html, I used 3 filters. I used a CPL, a 100mm .9 ND filter and a 100mm .3 soft edged GND to tone down the foggy background. I rotated the filter holder to line up with water. Even though it was foggy the sun was shining brightly behind it. I shot it at f/16, 3 seconds, ISO 50 at about 6pm.

Not sure if it is a direct link to photo, if not just copy and paste in browser.

This shot was taken about 6 PM on a May even, still very bright and sunny out. Canon 50D, ISO 100 at 10mm f/16 for 25 seconds. I stacked three Tiffen ND filters (.6,.9, and 1.2) to allow me to get the longer exposure. Stacking the filters did cause a vignette so I cropped in post.

On this shot, http://fineartamerica.com/featured/chattooga-river-at-hurricane-rapid-ga-derek-thornton.html, I used a CPL with a 100mm 10 stop ND filter. I shot it at f/13 for 60 seconds at ISO 50. I think this was shot midday during rainy weather.

Yes very possible Charly... Here is a 30 second exposure in broad daylight using a 10 stop nd filter...

I use ND filters for long exposures too. I love to shoot water, and there is really no post processing substitute for the effect you can get with an ND filter and a long exposure when shooting moving water and/or fast moving clouds. Eventually, I'd like to get a Lee filter set-up so I can start using Graduated ND filters, but for now I've got screw on ND's. A 10 stop, and a couple less drastic ones.

Other than that, I don't really use any filters.

Thanks so much guys for giving this filter newbie some examples with info! I've got a better idea now of what's possible. Outside of the CPL; I have a Sky, UV and ND4 though not sure what the 4 stands for. 4 stops maybe? Also is there a particular order to stack filters? I would presume the CPL on the outside, but haven't a clue.

I use rose coloured ones on my glass

Lol, Andy!

ND4 is 2 stops.

There is a chart at the bottom of this wikipedia page about ND filters.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutral_density_filter

I always have an array of lens filters with me,....but only occasionally use them,...a CPL usually when spectacular skies are present.

When I forget to use one though, post processing gives me the pleasing results I'm usually after.

I'll sometimes take two exposures, 1-Sky & 1 - Foreground,..and marry them in post processing...depends on how pressing time is and how fast the light is changing.

I also use a variable ND as well as a 10 stop ND filter and always am experimenting in new ways to use these.

I have high quality clear lens filters on each lens and usually remove them only for night images to eliminate ghost reflections that sometimes occur.

Andrew thanks for the chart!

Marty what is a "variable" ND filter? Is that an adjustable filter?

Yes, predominantly ND grads and ND 2, 3, 6 & 10 stop filters, along with a CPL I wheel out every now and then. I never use 'protection' filters though.

If you create a stack of filters its like shooting through an airplane window.

How about Lee filters? Anyone use those? For landscape I'd image they are the best available. They are big rectangles that slide into a holder so you can set the gradation point. Very expensive though.

I was using the UV filter but there seemed to be some controversy about whether it affects quality...and now that I use the hood I feel that it will protect against damage except for dust,

@ Imagery by Charly Imagery,...

A variable ND filter has a manual rotating front (similar to a polorizer) which allows you to dial in the amount of ND compensation you require,......you can manually select your desired fstop shutter speed and then dial in ND compensation to match that for proper exposure,...which is how I most usually use mine.

You have to be careful about closing down to too small an fstop on some variable NDs because whats called a butterfly irregularity may present itself,...also can be caused by excessive combined glare in the frame.

If not careful there can be a violet color shift within an area of your frame,...I believe its the infrared component of sunlight that ND filters cannot eliminate completely, varies with different ND filters.
Do a google search on this, many explanations beyond my knowledge are readily available to describe do's and don'ts to avoid this.

As far as degradation to image quality using filters in front of your lens,.....technically and mathematically I guess that it is true,.....but humorously ,...I best saw it described this way,....Only your dog can see it ;-))

If you wear glasses,....make sure the glass used in your frames,... is of a highly engineered optical quality,...or it could hinder the quality of what your seeing. ;-)) ;-))

Good point Marty, I live in Miami so you can imagine the glare,,,So I use my sunglasses which I guess is a definite "no no"! The view finder in my camera does have a optical view which can be celebrated to y our eyesight,,,but I suppose all of that goes out the window when you put on regular sunglasses which are not Rx, I don't need a rx for my regular vision, just for reading,,,
I don't think I could manage taking photos without sunglasses in Miami though, ,

Thanks Marty for this info! Guess I should reiterate that all my glass are old Minolta AF film lenses; save one which is the Sony 70-300mm telephoto. My Minolta 75-300mm broke and still haven't replaced it. I use the viewfinder 100% of the time, don't wear glasses and have the dioptic adjustment set to my bad eyes. ;)

Might go out this weekend to try out stacking the CPL and ND4. Interested in seeing what I can capture with them and if they effect the image. I've not had any vignette issues with UV filters on my lenses as others have talked about.

~ Charly

Judy, I live in Miami and I never wear my sunglasses when shooting. I lose detail. Also, if you set your diopter/viefinder, an Rx has no effect, good or bad.

I use a CPL filter and ND filters and thats about it. My CPL filter stays on most of the time for protection and because I mostly shoot outdoors. I use all Canon L glass lenses and have experimented different shots with it on and off and really can't see much if any difference in image quality with it off. I think the key is to buy descent filters and stay away from the 3 for $15 sets.

Rudy, I try taking off my sunglasses(non RX) but the glare is so strong I end up putting them back on usually, But so true;how can one expect to get the lighting./iso right in camera when looking through dark glass. I will definitely keep them off in future glare or not, Are you still shooting with the
Sony Rx100?

Donnie, I'm fairly certain my CPL and ND4 came in a cheap kit of filters. I'm very pleased at some of the images I took with the CPL though. I remember buying an infrared lens that was a Hoya I believe, but couldn't get the effects I wanted while editing, so I gave up. :(

~ Charly

Judy,

I wear prescription sunglasses (and bifocals to boot! :) ), and also do not like glare/real bright sunlight, but I do move my glasses up on my forehead when looking through the viewfinder (diopter pre-adjusted), take the shot, then put my glasses back in place and then check the histogram on the camera. Sometimes I'll have a ballcap pushed back on my head, sunglasses on my forehead, and camera to my face. It's become one combined involuntary action now that I've done it so much and I don't even think about it. Kind of like adjusting the radio volume knob while driving, and you don't have to look to find the knob. Your hand just goes to it, if that makes any sense. :)

I had an ND filter, but lost it. I typically am not a filter kind of guy especially for "protection" if the lens.

Now that I have WiFi with some speed, I could upload one of the images I really like using the CPL filter. While it's not the one I thought I'd like, I find the dramatic sunlight on the shed with clouds bringing in shade around the shed was amazing. Though of course you may disagree ;)



Rain and extreme humdity has prevented me to get out to experiment with stacking filters. :( But I will first chance I get. Really appreciate everyone for helping this newbie out!!!

~ Charly

I had a very strange thing happen today and was wondering if anyone could shed some light. I was out shooting a Sugar Cane Mill and threw on my 75mm-300mm Sony lens to get some close shots. After taking a few, I put on my CPL filter cuz the clouds were perfect; pressed down 1/2 way and nothing, just blur. Figured I must not have gotten the lens on all the way, so unmounted/remounted it. Recomposed the shot and still nothing but blur. Strange. So widened the aperture and just blur. It wasn't making any sense to me and began to think my lens took a chit on me. Before taking it off, I removed the CPL filter and bam I could focus in just fine. I tried this will AF and MF; only blur with CPL on.

Hmmmm.... What on earth would cause a lens not to focus with a CPL filter on? I cannot think of any reason and hoping someone here can. Thanks a bunch for all insight!

Were you on tripod with vr on. That would do it. A cpl slows the shutter speed so the vr effects the image more at slow speeds.

The only filters that can't truly be replicated with software are CP filters and ND filters. I use both.

CP filter can be used for more than just enhancing skies. On overcast days they can make vegetation "pop", and they can cut glare on glass or water. Using one on water is cool because you can often use it to see into the water.

An ND filter is invaluable for slowing the shutter down and getting the silky water effect. It can also be used to create cloud blurs. I have from time to time stacked my CP and ND filters to cut light in full sunlight to get silky water.

Forgive my ignorance, but not sure what vr is.... If you mean Steady Shot on my Sony camera, then no it's always turned off.

~ Charly