Tips for Buying Lens Filters for a Newbie.

Hi Everyone!

I have a Pentax Kx and after completing a course I've really got into my photography and would like to experiment a bit more.

I have been thinking about getting some filters - a UV one because I have been advised that this is a good idea as it protects your lens, a polariser because I would like to experiment a bit with landscapes and a ND filter also for landscapes and water.

My questions are, am I correct in thinking that the thread on a Pentax Kx is 52mm? Are screw in systems better than slot in systems? I'm thinking screw in may be better.

What make is good for a medium (ish!) budget? I know Lee filters are meant to be good but seem very expensive - I don't want to go too crazy when starting out, but I am also wary of very cheap brands. I have been looking on Ebay at Hoya which don't seem to be too badly priced and also Cokin - but what would you recommend?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as it's all a bit baffling!

Kirsty

Are there any other filters that you would recommend? What about filter starter kits, are they worth the money or is there a compromise on picture quality because they tend to be cheaper?

Hi Kirsty

First up, the filter size depends on the lens - they are all different so don't assume that one screw in filter fits all as it won't.

I'm assuming you have the 18-55mm kit lens with your K-x which is 52mm from memory.

The advantage of systems like the Cokin ones is that you can buy just one filter and buy a range of adaptors to fit different lenses, but the downside is the upfront cost.

You will get mixed advice about a UV filter. Some people swear by them whilst others, like me, don't use them at all. Most people who do use them do so for lens protection, but a lens hood does a better job, in my opinion. A UV filter won't improve your images, again, just my opinion.

A polariser is a good choice for a first filter as the effects are difficult to replicate with software, unlike many other filters. Any of the major makes are fine, but look for a circular polariser. There are often some decent buys used on Ebay.

ND filters are more difficult because of the range of different types and strength available. One option might be the variable ND filter from 7 Day Shop. I have this and whilst it's not up to the quality of the £200 filters it is pretty good and will allow you to experiment with different grades of filter to see what you like and how you might use one. You can always upgrade to a more expensive one once you have a better idea of what you want. I think they are around £30 from memory.

Hi Kirsty

Some good advice from Chris.

Just to add to it. You mention Hoya - I would add Kenko - in my opinion - at least as good if not better than Hoya and often slightly cheaper. One word of caution - before buying any branded filter from ebay - check the normal price for these in one of the online camera shops - WEX, Bristol Cameras, SRS etc. Then look at ebay - my advice would be to be very careful of buying a branded filter from ebay that is massively cheaper than the price in a regular on-line camera shop - there are a lot of fakes on the market from China and Hong Kong particularly. These can usually be spotted because the price is "too good to be true"

I would also say look at used ones on ebay - they can be picked up very very cheap. or ask in this forum if any member has one to sell that they don't need

Given the range of filters you mention and the fact you mention landscape. I would personally recommend you look at the Cokin 'A' system. You will need to buy a filter holder - a ring to fit your lens and the filters.

Typically you can pick up the rings and holders off ebay for very little money - these are probably copies but this does not matter.

In fact if you decide on this - I think I have a couple of spares - happy to have a look if you are interested.

then I would suggest a set of Coking ND grad filters + possibly an ND4.

again - look for used ones on ebay - you can save a fortune - very often you will see a whole set of coking filters for sale - buy the lot - keep what you want - sell what you don't. You do not have to spend a fortune on filters to get what you need - but avoid buying cheap new ones - this is the surest way to lose money

Carl

Hi Kirsty,

I agree with the advice about UV filters, if you are on a budget then they don't really make sense as they won't help with your photography.

A polariser is a good idea and as Carl mentioned go with something branded. A "system" is also a good idea but personally I wasn't happy with Cokin, too much of a color cast, I think Hitech are better and not much more expensive especially if bought 2nd hand

As a start for NDgrads I think a 2stop (0.6) soft edge and a 2 stop hard edge wll get you off the mark. Add to this a standard ND filter, a 1.2 (4 stop) would be my suggestion.

Here's a good article about NDgrads etc by Lee who I think make the best filters, very expensive though - it's worth a look as is their site as they explain filter use really well

http://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera

Simon


Simon

Thank you Chris and Carl your comments have been very useful!

I have got the 18-55mm kit lens and also a 70-300mm. So if I bought a filter to fit one of them I 'm guessing I'll need stepping rings in order to use it on the other lens?

Thanks for the info regarding circular polarising filters! I would never have known that! I looked at the 7 Day Shop for a variable ND filter and they were very cheap, about £13.19, unfortunately out of stock but there was a very informative video on there - so I now have a better idea of what to look for.

I'm still not sure which system to go for - although I think I'm favouring towards the screw in system, sorry Carl! But thanks for the advice regarding fakes - I was wary of that on Ebay!

I had a look on the items for sale bit in this forum and set my beady eye on a macro lens instead!!

Still, I will continue to look around and decide soon! Many thanks for you help guys!

Kirsty

Hi Simon, I only saw your post after I posted so I missed it! I would love to buy Lee filters, but I'm too much of a novice to justify the cost!

Many thanks for the link to the article, will definitely read that later!

I'm thinking definitely a circular polariser at the moment, but not sure about the ND grad - guess I'll decide after reading the article! Also bought Ross Hoddinott's book on filters so should definitely be able to make a decision soon!

Thanks guys!

Kirsty

Just looked at your website and FB page, amazing pictures!

Just a warning on screw-in filters Kirsty - fine for polarisers and standard ND filters but screw-in NDgrads are pretty much worthless as you are severely limiting composition. The advantage of a "system" is the holder allows you to adjust the NDgrad as required and in harmony with your chosen composition

Did you cover the use of colour filters for black & white photography on your course?

If you did and wish to contininue trying the effects they produce, the K-x has a Filter Effect mode in the Custom Image Setting menu when monochrome is selected. This allows simulating the use of Green, Yellow, Orange, Red etc. filters without having to have the real thing.

UV filters were certainly useful for film photography as some emulsions were prone to changing colour when there was an abundance of UV light. This sometimes caused a photograph of blue flowers to look purple, for instance. Landscapes could take on a strong bluish cast so a UV filter was used to reduce some visible light in the violet part of the spectrum. Some camera sensors can still be prone to this and it has been said that they can help reduce purple fringing in digital cameras (often referred to as chromatic aberration.) So while, as you say, they can be considered lens protectors, they can also still perform a valid role beyond that in the digital age. It depends on the camera and lens as to how useful that role is. Personally I'd rather wipe wayward finger prints and dust off a replaceable filter rather than the optic itself and have the filter in situ ready for when the lens is used on a film camera.

A polarizer filter is useful to reduce unwanted reflections and darken skies but I wouldn't think of it as a priority. Also a neutral density filter helps in the making of creative shots using long exposures, but again not a priority. You may think different!

For good buys, start looking for some good second hand ones from eBay or a dealer who deals in second hand cameras. While you tend to get what you pay for, second hand prices can be a fraction of buying new.

Can you get any follow up advice from those who ran your course? Alternatively or as well as consider joining a camera club where they'll have speakers to enlighten on all manner of photographic matters.

John

The cokin system is pretty cheap for NDgrad-filters...

For full ND's go screw-in as there are lots more options...
Circular polorisers are screw in... And in my opinion essential for landscape photography...

If you use filters a lot don't bother with UV's... In conjunction with other filters you will notice IQ degradation... A hood will offer more protection (but you can't use the hood with the cokin system)

That said... I use both metal-screw-in hoods and UV's... I buy the mid-price-point Hoya UV's and cap my metal hoods rather than the lens itself...
When I want my CPL (circular poloriser) or 10stop ND I unscrew the hood and UV, screw on the required filter and screw on the hood... Lengthyer than it could be but hey...
I have the cokin system and a 2stop gradND but rarely use it...

For info regarding polarizing filters, some makes of DSLR need the use of a circular polarizer which are a newer and more expensive variety (that is circular as to the way the filter glass is made, not the shape of it.) Fortunately Pentax cameras are fine with older normal ones.

With digital, there is one thing you can easily do that cannot be done so easily with film. That is to play around with filter effects by 'post processing' your images. Some effects cannot be done this way though, hence the recommendations for polarizers and ND filters where the effects have to be captured while the image is created.

John

There's some useful info/tutorials at http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/

Hi Kirsty.

Have a look on, (Premier Ink & Photographic), web site for a good selection of filters, adaptor rings, plus many more items of useful photographic equipment.

This is a good trusted supplier, with very good customer service and advice.

Sorry I don’t know how to do the link thing to sites.

Disclaimer I do not have any connection with, Premier Ink, other than being a very satisfied customer many times over.

Take care.

Thanks everyone for the info, you've given me a lot to think about!

I'm on a 3 week break until I start the next part of my course, but I will contact the course tutor for her advice - although she is more into portrait photography and doesn't like landscape photography but I will try anyway! I was considering a camera club as I'm not that creative - I think being a scientist has beaten it all out of me!! But I would definitely find it useful for advice and getting ideas.

It's only a basic course and we haven't covered black and white photography but I'm sure armed with the instruction manual and a book I can have a play and see what I can get. But many thanks for the links and websites you've all suggested - now I just need the time to look at them!!

Kirsty

In terms of composition and creativity... I suggest buying the cheapest 35mm film SLR (Pentax should obviously be your first choice) you can (preferably with a 50mm len) and couple rolls of film (I like 400-speed as I find it can pretty much do anything)...

There's no instant gratification... There's no deleting mistakes... You have to get both exposure and composition right, right then...

And at nearly a fiver a film and a fiver to develop negative and get them scanned to disk it's not cheap either... But because it's expensive you should learn quick...

But beware... I did this and now shoot more film than digital... I find the wait to see the pictures very exiting indeed and have bought several film bodies (and plan on several more)