Lens filters

likeabaker · Oct 16, 2012

Hey guys. I'm planning on getting a new lens for my dslr. Looking at the Canon 50mm f/1.8.

I also want to get a circular polarizer or an nd filter. Any suggestions on relatively cheap filters that look decent? I still am learning a lot about them, so any insight about these filters would be great!

Ernest Worthing · Oct 16, 2012

Look into Hoya, B+W and Tiffen for a bit of range.

Just remember, putting a cheap filter on a very good lens is like watching a visually arresting movie with bad eyesight.

likeabaker · Oct 16, 2012

Thanks. I think I'm going to try to find a higher end one but I don't know if I want an ND filter or circular polarizer.

tomb378 · Oct 16, 2012

definitely invest in the 50mm 1.8 such a good lens for the price, built like an absolute piece of crap but for the price you get amazing quality shots. i've used mine for all sorts of video and photography stuff, and its the sort of lens you just always keep in your kit bag just on the off chance!

8salacious9 · Oct 16, 2012

well ND and Polarizer do different things, i havent used a polarizer but i intend to get one soon, how much is your budget on a filter? what do you need one for? that way you can narrow it down, not in that particular order either...

likeabaker · Oct 16, 2012

8salacious9 said:
well ND and Polarizer do different things, i havent used a polarizer but i intend to get one soon, how much is your budget on a filter? what do you need one for? that way you can narrow it down, not in that particular order either...

I want one so I can control the image easier when shooting outside. They both bring out the sky really well. My budget would probably be $100 max.

8salacious9 · Oct 16, 2012

likeabaker said:
I want one so I can control the image easier when shooting outside. They both bring out the sky really well. My budget would probably be $100 max.

well im not a professional so dont take my word for it, but i bought 2 ND filters so i could control the amount of light going into my camera, because No'1 it was hazy, No'2 i couldnt get any DOP on my subject, i just bought a hoya 16x ND filter from AVIDES, for £36, havent used it yet but im guessing it will block alot more light than my other Tiffen filter.

the only reason i intend to get a polarizer is to make the sky bluer for my photos not too sure about filming, hopefully someone here will have used both and can give you more info..

jax_rox · Oct 16, 2012

ND cuts light, Polariser cuts polarised reflections (as well as light), which in turn makes reflections on car windows (for example) pretty much gone, and makes the sky darker.

For example with a Polariser:

Polarisers often cut 2 stops of light as well, but it depends on your filter.

NDs only cut light. They will make everything darker, unless you get a grad ND. You can get NDs in all sorts of strengths from .3 (1 stop) to 1.8 (6 stops) and in fact, I've recently seen NDs that cut up to 10 stops of light.