Lets Talk Filters

[Hardcor4x4]

So with the ability to put filters on my existing camera and new camera I want, i'm wondering what filters one would want to have for taking pictures of the average vacation shots. I've never tried filters and wondered how my shots would turn out if I started using some of the simpler ones to gain more proffessional type looking shots with more vibrant color and sharper images. UV, Polorized, Circular Polorized?
Beach and water, (bright sun or partly cloudy)
far off distant scenery (hazy, bright sun, partly cloudy)
Indoor portrait (flourecent lights, and warm incandecent light)
Macro shots outdoors bright sun.

I realy don't know much about the types of filters out there and what types of shots to use filters for and which filters to use.
School me.


Thanks

[JeepDiva]

Normally I keep a UV filter on every lens. If you drop a lens, it may offer some protection against breaking the lens and is much cheaper to replace. I'll use a polarizer in bright outdoor light...I like it for 4-wheeling shots because it cuts down on the relections off the vehicles, so would probably also be a good choice for your beach & water shots. Are you shooting digital? You can adjust your white balance for the different indoor lighting conditions.

[thenimirra]

I can totally vouch for that UV filter. I dropped my XTi out of my camera bag and the UV filter broke into a gizillion pieces, but the costly lens was perfect and intact. Lens price: $1,200, verses UV filter: about $20.

I also have two neutral density filters for capturing blue skies, and a polarizer when shooting water.

[Tiffany]

UV for sure...heading out at lunch to pick up 2 for my new lenses.

[Hardcor4x4]

Any difference in a polarizer and a circlular polarizer? what are each used for? one better for water shot then the other?

Doubling up filters? A polarizer and then a UV on top of each other?

My camera is just a point and shoot SLR like camera. it doesn't have interchangable lenses but has the lense hood where I can put 55mm filters on.
The new camera I want is a Canon S5IS and comes with a hood but don't know the size for filters on it yet.

[Jeffro600]

I normally dont use a UV filter cuz ive found that less expensive ones often degrade image quality quite a bit and can reduce sharpness and clarity. Good UV filters are expensive and im just too cheap to spend a several hundred bucks to outfit all my lenses. Hoya's and B+W are about the only ones id use and they are expensive...especially if you need a larger filter!

Polarizing filters i dont really use either because you can easily emulate the blue sky effect in photoshop in a matter of seconds. For areas that need glare reduction i might toss one on, but other than that, they just take up space in my bag. I think ive used one twice in the last year.

Neutral Density filters are AWESOME if your trying to get motion blur during the day where light is too bright to get a slow enough shutter speed.

Honestly though, filters, aside from the Neutral Density ones are more of a film requirement when your going after a certain effect. With todays software you can easily duplicate and often get better results than with a filter. UV filters are nice to protect the outer glass but the chances of them saving a lens in a fall are slim, so i take my chances. Just remember, the more filters you add on the end of a lens, the more image quality is going to suffer.

[team D.A.T.A.]

I agree with Jeffro on all four points. However, I still have a UV on everything.

[ColoradoSkier]

I have a UV filter, and occasionally use a polarizer.

http://www.pbase.com/ctfchallenge/image/32252622

[Hardcor4x4]

Whats a decent brand to look for thats not exspensive but not so cheap they are ineffective and worthless? Something for the amature with just a point and shoot like the Canon S5IS?

[ColoradoSkier]

Is the lens housing on your S5 threaded, or do you need to get an adapter? That's your first consideration (I had to do that for my G5). I use a Quantaray circular polarizer that works pretty good. My UV filter is a Kenko.

[Hardcor4x4]

The S5 has to have an adapter unless they make filters that fit on over the lense like a push on. (see pic)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/bhugo4x4/CANPSS5IS.jpg

There is a lense adapter for the S5 that allows for threaded filters and telephotos and wideangle lenses to be added though.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/bhugo4x4/silver_tube.jpg

[Hardcor4x4]

Now I did it. I was looking on line at the Canon S5IS and fiancee walks in. knowing that she wants a adigital camera too and asked her what camera she's interested in. She starts describing this black Canon camera that does it all and the LCD screen swivels around and is 8mp.

At this point i say to her, your kidding right? she says, no why? So i maximize the screen with the Canon S5IS i was looking at and she says, Thats it! I want that one!!!

Now what? I gotta buy 2 of these things? I can't buy one and say it's mine. I'll be divorced before i'm married. :(

[ColoradoSkier]

Maybe now you get an S5 for her and something higher for you? :evil:

[Hardcor4x4]

Maybe now you get an S5 for her and something higher for you? :evil:
Problem is dumping $1,000 on 2 cameras and equipment when your trying to save for a wedding.