I have yet another question for everyone. So I'm sure you all know I'm now shooting with Nikon D90 with both the 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 and 50mm f/1.8. I have gotten UV filters for both of them and now I'm thinking about some different filters. I want to get a polarizer and eventually and ND filter. Is there a rule of thumb I should follow with which filter to get for which lens. ; I would be using the polarizer mainly for landscapes and the like, while the ND would be for fireworks, night scenery, etc. Just wondering if you all had any suggestions of which filter might be better for which lens. Again I appreciate all the help and advice that has already been given to me. This forum is fantastic and has a great group of people. I'm glad to be one them. Thanks all.
Filter and Lens Combinations
- Thread starter dishippy
- Start date
1) Buy the filter for the largest lens you own or think you will own. ; You can buy setup rings for dirt cheap, and they allow you to mount another size filter on your lens threads. ; You may own multiple step up rings if you have multiple thread sizes though.
2) Don't think about either of those filters for the 50 - do the size for your main lenses. ; If you are doing landscapes, you'll probably want very wide or very long, not "normal". ; Also, if you're using a tripod (heck in daylight it doesn't really matter as well), you're going to probably be shooting stopped down, not wide open, and most lenses stopped down at a certain point provide about the same image quality. ; At night - the same thing - unless you are handholding - in which case you wouldn't want anything that reduces the light coming into your camera, so you'd be shooting wide open with the 50 anyway.
ND filter for night? ; Unless you're using a graduated ND filter you probably would use the ND filter during the day because you can't stop down your lens enough AND lower the ISO enough to get the shutter speed you want. (like several seconds to blur water. ; BTDT.) ; Never used an ND a night as you probably will already use a tripod and you'll have several second long exposures already. ; Bright scenes - okay, yeah maybe, but remember an ND filter will also prevent the shadow areas from being exposed, so all you are going to do is take longer to get the same shot. ; If you want to prevent highlight blow outs and get shadow detail, that's what HDR or grad ND filters are for. ; Or by shooting RAW and pulling the data from the shadows.
2) Don't think about either of those filters for the 50 - do the size for your main lenses. ; If you are doing landscapes, you'll probably want very wide or very long, not "normal". ; Also, if you're using a tripod (heck in daylight it doesn't really matter as well), you're going to probably be shooting stopped down, not wide open, and most lenses stopped down at a certain point provide about the same image quality. ; At night - the same thing - unless you are handholding - in which case you wouldn't want anything that reduces the light coming into your camera, so you'd be shooting wide open with the 50 anyway.
ND filter for night? ; Unless you're using a graduated ND filter you probably would use the ND filter during the day because you can't stop down your lens enough AND lower the ISO enough to get the shutter speed you want. (like several seconds to blur water. ; BTDT.) ; Never used an ND a night as you probably will already use a tripod and you'll have several second long exposures already. ; Bright scenes - okay, yeah maybe, but remember an ND filter will also prevent the shadow areas from being exposed, so all you are going to do is take longer to get the same shot. ; If you want to prevent highlight blow outs and get shadow detail, that's what HDR or grad ND filters are for. ; Or by shooting RAW and pulling the data from the shadows.
Scottwdw
Member
Roger, some of the flickr Disney photogs are using ND filters for firework shots now for better color from the bright displays on long exposures. So there is one night time use for an ND filter.
For sunset/sunrise photos, I would suggest getting a graduated ND filter which reduces by 2 stops. ; Also works anytime you have a bright to dark scene.
I bought a polarizer that fits my 50mm filter size. ; They are not that expensive for that filter size. ; Than I have the rest at 77mm for my wide angle and tele-zoom lenses. ; I use a step up ring for the 18-200VR for those 77mm filters.
For sunset/sunrise photos, I would suggest getting a graduated ND filter which reduces by 2 stops. ; Also works anytime you have a bright to dark scene.
I bought a polarizer that fits my 50mm filter size. ; They are not that expensive for that filter size. ; Than I have the rest at 77mm for my wide angle and tele-zoom lenses. ; I use a step up ring for the 18-200VR for those 77mm filters.
"Scottwdw" said:
You mean this thread?
http://www.themagicinpixels.com/forum/index.php/topic,1545.0.html
When did I start that thread? ; :
Scottwdw
Member
"Roger" said:You mean this thread?
http://www.themagicinpixels.com/forum/index.php/topic,1545.0.html
When did I start that thread? ; :
"Craig" said:
Well, Roger...have you done it with digital since? ; This is one of the things I want to try this summer for fireworks shows.
Actually I don't think I did try it yet.
Well, I'll have several chances for Magical[nb]Grrrrrrrr don't get me started. ; Grrrrrrrrrr. [/nb] in....21 days! ; Assuming I'm not trying to sneak into World of Color's soft openings or something. ; However, I really doubt I'm going to be anywhere near that park at nighttime. ; Not with Fantasmic! calling.
Interesting. ; Fantasmic seems to go dark on Thursday nights. ; Then again, it's not due back until 5/28...when Magical kicks Remember to the curb.
Well, I'll have several chances for Magical[nb]Grrrrrrrr don't get me started. ; Grrrrrrrrrr. [/nb] in....21 days! ; Assuming I'm not trying to sneak into World of Color's soft openings or something. ; However, I really doubt I'm going to be anywhere near that park at nighttime. ; Not with Fantasmic! calling.
Interesting. ; Fantasmic seems to go dark on Thursday nights. ; Then again, it's not due back until 5/28...when Magical kicks Remember to the curb.
Thanks guys for the advice. I will probably go ahead with the biggest size option. That makes the most money sense. ; And thanks for the advice for what to use the filters on or with as well. I've been learning an crazy amount this week and trying my best to soke it all up. Thanks again guys.
And thanks for the advice for what to use the filters on or with as well. I've been learning an crazy amount this week and trying my best to soke it all up. Thanks again guys.