81 series filters versus adjusting white balance

Ignoring post-production image manipulation, what are the pros and cons of warming a "cold" scene by adjusting the camera's white balance setting, or by using 81 series filters (as we did, or some of us still do, with film cameras)?

It's not a topic I have seen discussed in this forum (if I am wrong, forgive me).

Altering the white balance is post-production can offer fine-tuning, where as filters, regardless if it's 81 or 85 only offer 3 levels, A, B and C.

Filters, regardless of the quality, is just another piece of glass with flaws in front of the senor. More distortion, reduced picture quanlty. Granted, it may not be noticable but its still there.

Of course there's the cost of well. 81 and 85 each with three level for each size lens adds up. I suppose there's always step-up rings and cokin.

At the end of the day, I only used three filters. ND, polariser and a UV. The UV is just there for lens protection but I always remove it first for professional use. That's all you need!

As always there are a couple of takes on how best to make this work and it depends entirely on the way that you work. I still use film in 645 MF so my filters are still part of my normal kit bag.

In terms of filters I tend to tread my DSLR exactly the same as I did when I was using film all the time.

If it's just a subtle warming effect I want I will still use 81 series filters of which there are traditionally 5 steps, 81A, 81B, 81C, 81D & 81EF - getting stronger amber colour as you move up the alphabet!

The 85 series are much stronger orange coloured and mainly used for colour correction such as using an 85C filter to correct Tungsten film for use in daylight conditions. I've not yet needed to use an 85 series filter in 10 years of messing about with filters!

All of this can be replicated using PS or making adjustments in your RAW converter. Using the in camera WB settings can achieve similar results but aren't quite as easily controlable as using PS or RAW conversion to make the changes.

I actually use a combination of all of the above - at the taking stage I try to get the shot as spot on (using filters) as I can in the hope this will avoid much in the way of post processing. I will then use the WB colour temp controls to tweak my RAW file during processing if it needs it...

If you use Photoshop CS2 you can just dial in all the filters you mention in 100 steps of strength. I ofetn use the 81 at its default setting of 25%.

Is there an equivalent in CS? I cannot find one

Or an action, or a plugin?

It's in CS - "Photo Filter" (near the bottom on the layer adjustment flyout of the layers palette)
Matt

Thanks Matt

I was looking under Filters - well it seemed the logical place