Can we talk Photography?????

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Given there is no photography section, thought this may be the most appropriate place - if not sorry!

Im looking for a bit of advice from those that know.

What filters do you guys (and gals??) use on the end of your SLR Lenses (I have a Canon Digital SLR)? I normally just use a UV filter here in the UK because its not often the sun is that bright to warrant anything else...

However, Im thinking that in November (and Leeds most of the year) Aus lighting will be significantly different to here. Im guessing I will probably need a skylight filter instead of the UV, but do you guys find you need a polarizing or Graded filter to bring the bright blue skies down??


Any advice welcomed...

[White 110]

aye up Jon

Can't go wrong with a polarizing filter out here - brings out amazing colours especially once you head to the red centre

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Cool - thanks for that.

Now I just need to decide on whether to stick one on the 77mm dia 70-200 lens or the smaller dia 17-85... or push the boat out... a little bit further:D:D

[Disco Pom]

Hello Jon...

I have a Canon 30D and use a polarizer on my 17-85 EF-S lens..also use a UV skylight on my bigger lens ..

Get some amazing colours down here..my son has taken some excellent pictures of the local parrots and rosellas ..the colours of these birds are pretty spectacular..

As mentioned by White 110..head to the centre and the scenery turns to some really weird shades of red..sunset's and sunrises are worth the effort..

cheers,
Richard

[loanrangie]

One of the first things i bought for my canon lenses was a circular polarizing filter for when i went to Africa and i always keep a skylight filter on for normal use - plus the added protection value.

[White 110]

Just buy one of each - you'll use them.

Luckily my std and tele lens have the same filter size but after getting bored of constantly changing the fliter between lens I just forked out for another polarizing filter - it was worth it

[White 110]

7663As a sampler!

Guess where?

[Aaron]

Nd filters are good. You can get different grades.

Id also buy clear filters for all your lenses. They're great protection, especially when shooting on a beach with salt spray.

If there are any pro photographers on here in brisbane, or those into large fomat photography, can you shoot me a pm.. i have a few questions.

[EchiDna]

critical point by loanrangie... must go with the CIRCULAR Polariser and adjust accordingly for each shot. B&W brand if you can afford it. when the circ pol is taken off, I'd always put on a UV purely for lense protection.


I'd also go for a few graduated filters like neutral density, tobacco and blue to bring out either/both the colours of the land and/or the sky or improve the density of the sky.

lots of options, but don't let the filters drive your shotmaking, take plenty, take em often and make plenty of backups and backups of backups!!

[jik22]

Cool - thanks for that.

Now I just need to decide on whether to stick one on the 77mm dia 70-200 lens or the smaller dia 17-85... or push the boat out... a little bit further:D:D

Get a Hoya circular polariser off eBay for both lenses. When we went to Uluru (Ayres rock) I didn't have it, and the photo's were a washout. :(

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Thanks guys... Looks like a circular polorizer for both lenses...

Whats your opinions on the most useful protection filters over there, i.e. plain UV or Skylight 1A / 1B???


I currently have a plain UV on the 17-85 so i'll probably just get a Hoya for that. The F2.8 70-200 Canon though is in need of both and (unfortunately for my wallet) because of the high quality lens, needs good quality filters, possibly Cokin or B&W.

[jik22]

The F2.8 70-200 Canon.

Very nice. Been trying to justify one of those to myself for ages....

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Very nice. Been trying to justify one of those to myself for ages....

Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS USM
Yeah... I made my mind up that it was the one for me the first time I played with one, or more to the point as soon as Id looked at the others; they just seem sooooo slow to react (even the top of the range Sigma). You dont want to know how long it took to justify the cost to myself and the mrs though!!!


If it has 1 downside, its the weight - but then the similar Sigma isnt a featherwight either. I guess the bottom line is metal and glass are heavy; you cant have the cake and eat it.

[JackH]

G'day Jon,

I don't use any protective filters on my lenses for 2 reasons;
1/ I don't like the idea of light passing through an additional piece of glass in front of the lens; which just may affect the quality of the image.
2/ I really look after my gear and to date have not really needed any protection.

There are people who swear by using protective filters on their lenses and those who don't, so I guess it comes down to personal choice and what you feel comfortable with.

The only filter I do use is a circular polariser and because all my lenses are the same diameter I only need to carry one. As stated by others, the polariser is the best to use with Australia's harsh sunlight. Just make sure you buy the best you can and not a cheapie. I use Hoya and found them to be excellent.
Cheers.

[Aaron]

I spent hours on a rough beach doing promo photos/cd cover/etc for a band, and the salt on my poloriser was intence. For future reference, running filters through comercial dishwashers is not ok for photographic equipment :P

[JackH]

I spent hours on a rough beach doing promo photos/cd cover/etc for a band, and the salt on my poloriser was intence. For future reference, running filters through comercial dishwashers is not ok for photographic equipment :P

I hope you were protecting your camera from the salt spray?

[Aaron]

Nope. Wasn't thinking. Long time ago.

[Reads90]

7663As a sampler!

Guess where?

Ayres rock (or what ever you want to call it now :))
Same as this pic
Both of these were taken with a Minolta SLR 7D digital camera with a polariser lens

http://www.reads4x4.com/Kal%20to%20Alice%20Springs/Waterhole.jpg

http://www.reads4x4.com/Kal%20to%20Alice%20Springs/Colours%20of%20Uluru.jpg

[Scallops]

I use both a UV and a polarising filter - usually leave the UV on the 17-55mm and the polarising on the 55-200 lens - as others have said - a polarising filter will be very useful in the red centre. Filters also are good because they protect your actual lens. Much cheaper to replace a filter. ;)

[abaddonxi]

I used to keep a filter on my camera until it took a beating at the hands of some inconsiderate baggage handlers.

Filter was destroyed and I was left with tiny pieces of filter all over the front of my lens.

Of course I should have taken the filter off the camera before packing.

Doesn't do much saving if the busted filter scratches the lens.

Cheers
Simon.

[Scallops]

I used to keep a filter on my camera until it took a beating at the hands of some inconsiderate baggage handlers.

Filter was destroyed and I was left with tiny pieces of filter all over the front of my lens.

Of course I should have taken the filter off the camera before packing.

Doesn't do much saving if the busted filter scratches the lens.

Cheers
Simon.

No - it wouldn't - but in the outback dust and sand etc is your main enemy - I don't expect to come across any rough baggage handlers out there - but dust/sand will scratch lenses and is ubiquitous.

[Reads90]

I used to keep a filter on my camera until it took a beating at the hands of some inconsiderate baggage handlers.

Filter was destroyed and I was left with tiny pieces of filter all over the front of my lens.

Of course I should have taken the filter off the camera before packing.

Doesn't do much saving if the busted filter scratches the lens.

Cheers
Simon.


My misses keeps all here cameras and lens in a Peli case
She has a minolta 7d 35mm and a minolta digatal Dynax 7d , a minolta dimage 7 and all the lens that go with it .
This worked fine for going around aus with the dust and bumy roads and all

[jik22]

If it has 1 downside, its the weight - but then the similar Sigma isnt a featherwight either. I guess the bottom line is metal and glass are heavy; you cant have the cake and eat it.

Yeah, I have the same problem with my 300mm f4, so God knows how those with a 300mm f2.8 manage! :)

At the time, the 300 was the one to get first based on what I was using it for, but if I was buying now, I'd get the 70-200 instead.

Just hard to justify for limited use now when I spend more time on my other hobbies - whcih aren't exactly cheap either.

[dmdigital]

Jon, I'd have to say the B+W Kasseman Circular Polarizing filter is about the best you can get. Get one that fits your biggest lens and then buy step down rings. Expensive CPL, but well and truely worth it. I've used Hoya CPL's in the past but find that they only last about 2 years in the tropics before the polarizing film starts to peel off.

For general use the argument as to use a UV (for protection) filter or not is a can of worms. I personnaly do most of the time. If in dusty or bad conditions then I always do.

I'd look at carrying the following CPL, couple of ND's, Canon 500D close-up (goes very well on a 70-200 as a quick macro), step-down rings to suite and UV filters on each lens.

Also get yourself a Pelican, Kinetics or Storm case for the Defender for the trip. Best protection for camera gear.


Oh and almost forgot... What's the best advice...

Sell the Canon and buy a Nikon:D:p;)

[Yorkshire_Jon]

I don't use any protective filters on my lenses for 2 reasons;
1/ I don't like the idea of light passing through an additional piece of glass in front of the lens; which just may affect the quality of the image.
2/ I really look after my gear and to date have not really needed any protection.


Ive heard these thoughts before and thought long and hard about them... I like to think that I look after all my kit as well as anyone (partly because of the way I was raised and also its my hard earned £££ that bought them!!). That said accidents do happen, a year or so ago now I was driving across a moor along rutted tracks (about 5mph) with the camera around my neck ready to get out of the Landy... Stopped the car, jumped out, caught the end of the lens on the landy door. Result = smashed filter glass but lens was (is still) fine.

I guess therefore I'm willing to accept the light going through extra glass... So long as its good quality. As you say, each to their own.

[EchiDna]

:BigThumb:
Jon, I'd have to say the B+W Kasseman Circular Polarizing filter is about the best you can get. Get one that fits your biggest lens and then buy step down rings. Expensive CPL, but well and truely worth it. I've used Hoya CPL's in the past but find that they only last about 2 years in the tropics before the polarizing film starts to peel off....

Canon 500D close-up (goes very well on a 70-200 as a quick macro)...


Oh and almost forgot... What's the best advice...

Sell the Canon and buy a Nikon:D:p;)

I never thought of step down rings from biggest glass to littlest - a fine idea :)

the 500D macro "filter" for wildflowers, insects and the like :BigThumb::BigThumb:

sell canon for Nikon? :nazibanned:

[dmdigital]

:BigThumb:

I never thought of step down rings from biggest glass to littlest - a fine idea :)

the 500D macro "filter" for wildflowers, insects and the like :BigThumb::BigThumb:

sell canon for Nikon? :nazibanned:

Why buy several filters if you don't need to, Step down rings are the way to go. But I use correct size UV/protective filters.

Have you got the 500D, great for macro's as it put's infinity at 0.5m on a 70-200 f/2.8

Personnally I prefer the ergonmics of Nikon over Canon. I just want two new D3's - a Nikon and Land Rover:D

[Aaron]

Nikon? Canon?..... oh.. 35mm *scoffs*

Come and play with my 4x5 :D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/03/126.jpg

[abaddonxi]

Nikon? Canon?..... oh.. 35mm *scoffs*

Come and play with my 4x5 :D




Pshaw.

I thought you said LARGE format.

:D

Cheers
Simon

[Aaron]

Pshaw.

I thought you said LARGE format.

:D

Cheers
Simon

oohhhh!!!

8x10 more your style ? :D

[EchiDna]

I love large format, but out in the bush practicality? no thanks...

have played with 8x10 a few times with triple exposing 1 film sheet for panoramic shots (3 strips per sheet)...it works well (in technical terms) but totally impractical unless you are going to be producing a book or selling large format prints.

[dmdigital]

oohhhh!!!

8x10 more your style ? :D

:D:D:D:D

[dmdigital]

Thanks guys... Looks like a circular polorizer for both lenses...

Whats your opinions on the most useful protection filters over there, i.e. plain UV or Skylight 1A / 1B???


I currently have a plain UV on the 17-85 so i'll probably just get a Hoya for that. The F2.8 70-200 Canon though is in need of both and (unfortunately for my wallet) because of the high quality lens, needs good quality filters, possibly Cokin or B&W.


Best thing to do is match the filter coating to the lens. Look at a UV(0). Its a digital so not the same issues as film and you really only need the filter for lens protection.

Now if you want some more toys try Welcome to Really Right Stuff (http://www.reallyrightstuff.com) and get a nice BH55 this is a fantastic tripod head:)

[Yorkshire_Jon]

I'll stick to a 77mm CP filter and look at a step down ring I think.

BUT, I also like the idea of the 500D - hadnt heard about that. All the sites Ive looked at so far though mention it as being a 58mm DIA, clearly I need 77mm!! Guess I need to keep searching.

Another thought - Do you guys leave the UV filter on and then put the CP in front or always remove the UV first??


..edit...
Just found out that B+W do several 77mm Close up filters - Are these the same as the 500D just a bigger DIA?

[dmdigital]

500D comes in a 77mm (e.g. Canon | 77mm 500D Close-up Lens | 2824A002 | B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/87503-REG/Canon_2824A002_77mm_500D_Close_up_Lens.html) )
The Canon filter is far superior and is a dual element lens. Nearly all the others are single element and distort more. Its a big solid magnifier and I carry it on holidays instead of taking my macro lens. Doesn't give 1:1 but does get the 70-200 down to about 1:2.

Usually (if conditions are OK) I will remove the UV and put the CPL on the lens. One thing to remember with a CPL is that if the front element rotates on focusing you will have to readjust the CPL after focusing.

With the 70-200 get the IS version, worth the extra. You can then hand hold some really slow shutter speeds.

70-200 + 500D
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/555.jpg

[slug_burner]

CANON 500D Close-up LENS / FILTER 77mm, BRAND NEW - eBay Canon, Digital Camera Lenses, Digital Cameras, Lenses, Cameras. (end time 29-Mar-08 21:35:39 AEDST) (http://tinyurl.com/35g8xv) for about 90 sterling you can get a 77mm 500D

[2 rocks]

Jon...simplest answer for you: buy a Cokin polariser and the adaptor rings to suit whatever lenses you have. Then simply move it from lens to lens as needed. The Cokin system will then allow you to add other filters as you wish.

Bugger buying more than one filter to suit each lens...

Now being something of a luddite (and broke - I own a Land Rover AND a Jeep :o), I run a Pentax LX (semi-pro, analogue, manual focus) and Mamiya 645. Have had about 5 Nikons and still miss my F2...very much, but the LX has sensational OTF metering :)

Mike

[Yorkshire_Jon]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/555.jpg

WOW!! My shopping list is supposed to be getting shorter, not longer!!

500D defo on the list now!

[abaddonxi]

oohhhh!!!

8x10 more your style ? :D

Large format just never worked for me, don't have the patience.

I've got a 4x5 from my grandfather that I haven't used in 20 years, a Bronica 645 that was fun for a while.

Then I went digital and pretty much stopped taking pictures.

Cheers
Simon

[rmp]

Like the others said, a circular polarising filter is the go. Essential for the outback/sand. No matter how much care you take accidents will still happen.

I use screw-in Hoyas, one of 77mm and one of 67 for my 10-22, 24-105 and 70-200 Canon lenses. They work ok and I can put the lenscap over the top too.

[Phoenix]

Mmm, this reminds me I still need to get a ciripol for my 24-105 lens. It's 77mm as well, my other lenses are 52mm from memory.

So what is the story with this close up lens / filter thing?? It's a filter, but for close ups?? I've never struck it before, is it a new thing, or am I just sheltered??

And for the list of what I have, i've got a Canon 400D with a 100-300 USM and a 24-105L IS USM. Damn I love L glass!!! Need to replace the 100-300 with L glass, it's just too soft after using the 24-105!!

[dmdigital]

For the CPL get a B+W Kasseman and you won't regret it.

The Canon 500D - yes you are sheltered - has been around for a long time. Close-up filters are the poor cousin to macro lenses, the 500D is the best of them though. They are $330 in Australia but you can pick them up off the net for about $150 delivered. Its a dual lens, 2 diopter magnifier and works best with lenses of 70mm and longer. Inifinity focus is brought down to about 0.5m.

Google it and you will learn more.