noob lense filter question

[cor825]

Alright...I'm definitely an amateur. I've taken a few classes, played around with lots of cameras and consider myself more knowledgable than the "average" camera user. I realize this doesnt say much, but I am going to be enrolling in more photo classes in the near future.

Here's my noob question for you camera geniuses...I am wanting to invest in some lense filters for my new D70. (it hasn't arrived yet...i ordered it today!! Which do you recomend? I'm already getting a UV filter, but I want to have more.

I also have a few q's about filters I have found:

What's a center image lense filter?
Are close up filters worth the investment?

Thanks a bunch!

[DownByFive]

Congratulations on the D70...I'm sure you'll love yours as much as I love mine.

More than any other, I'd recommend a circular polarizer. They basically get rid of crappy reflected light and just let in the light that's saturated with color (yes, yes, that's an incredibly simple explanation...) so your colors are richer. They also help block reflections, so they are nice when you shoot through glass or water. Of course, they will also block out rainbows and that kind of thing, so you shouldn't always use them. Plus, you lose up to 2 stops of light with them, so they can be useful for getting slow shutter speeds, which I suppose can be a positive or a negative, depending on the situation.

Center image filters are basically diffusion filters with a small clear circle in the center. I'd say skip this one, since the effect is easily attained in post processing.

I've never worked with a close up filter, so I won't try to answer that one...

UV filters don't really do a whole lot, since sensors aren't really sensitive to UV. They are basically just used for protection, which really isn't necessary IMO. Just one more piece of glass to cause flare and stuff...Maybe if you are shooting near salt water spray, or in a dust storm or something...

You should also look at getting a neutral density filter. This will let you get the blurred water effect, since they block a lot of light. Graduated ND filters are great too since they allow you to darken part of the image to avoid uneven exposure.

I wouldn't worry about color or effects filters either, since you can do that stuff in post processing.

Of course, there may be people who disagree with me on certain points here...

[another view]

I definately agree about the polarizer. It must be a circular type (not linear) to work with an autofocus and autoexposure camera - most you find anymore will be circular but make sure when you get one. I only use UV filters when I'm out in the rain and it's windy and/or near the beach, basically only when there's a good chance I'll get some "stuff" on the lens. I almost always use a lens hood though, check some of the previous posts and you'll see other's thoughts on this arguement...

A close-up lens is like a magnifying glass that you screw onto the front of your lens. Good ones are a little exensive (Nikon's 5T and 6T are very good) but will be sharper, especially away from the center. The Nikon and Canon lenses are two-element which are supposed to be best. Some others (maybe like B+W) are probably just as good.

Neutral Density filters may come in handy (two-stop is common) but really all of the others can be replicated in Photoshop. Instead of a graduated neutral density filter, take one shot exposing for the highlights; one for the shadows and blend them in Photoshop. It is a learning curve to figure this stuff out (not that I'm a total expert!) but this way can give you more options and control.

[mikishots]

Ditto on the polarizer.

Close up filters in my opinion leave a lot to be desired. Results that I've seen from close up filters stink - I've yet to see a good one. If you do use them and then get a chance to try a true macro (or micro, in your case - I think Nikon makes a 105mm 2.8 or something like that), you will be shocked at the difference - say goodbye to the filters.

One thing I wanted to mention: if you do decide to put a filter - any filter - on your lens, get a good one. Don't buy the cheap one in the department store's photo section when it's on sale because it's just not worth it. Rodenstock, B+W, Singh-Ray, and the like are pricey, but they are made from Schott glass (good stuff, trust me) and typically have brass rings. This will help keep your filters from getting stuck on your lens, and give you the quality you want. I used to use a UV on my lens, but I often remove it when I'm using a hood. Don't use filters unless you need to.