DSLR Filter Question

[harleymhs]

Hey Guys, QUICK question, I'm looking for a filter to use outside when its BRIGHT and SUNNY ( water , snow, sunsets ) to enhance the colors on a DSLR with a 62 mm filter.. Im looking to achieve "sunglasses" for my lens.. Do I go with a ND filter or Circular Polarizing Filter... Thanks!!!

 

[BJMRamage]

Aren't many sunglasses Polarized?
(I wear glasses so don't always know my sunglasses info)

I have both. Polarizer boosts skies and cuts reflections.

ND blocks all light, not differentiation.

 

[harleymhs]

Aren't many sunglasses Polarized?
(I wear glasses so don't always know my sunglasses info)

I have both. Polarizer boosts skies and cuts reflections.

ND blocks all light, not differentiation.

So im looking for the Cirl polar filter to enhance colors and do what my Sunglasses do ( yes I do have ploarized glasses ) LOL

 

[PixelpusherBV]

Yep, circular polariser. Use a nd filter to shut the light down if you want to extend your exposure time.
You can use the CirPol in conjunction with a neutral gradient to level the light from sky to ground.

 

[harleymhs]

got it! I just ordered HOYA 62mm Circlar Polarizing Pro 1 Digital multi coated glass filter, and the Sony UV mutli coated filter for every day use! thank you for your help guys!!!

 

[nburwell]

OP, you made the correct choice, and Hoya is a good filter brand as well.

 

[ChrisA]

Hey Guys, QUICK question, I'm looking for a filter to use outside when its BRIGHT and SUNNY ( water , snow, sunsets ) to enhance the colors on a DSLR with a 62 mm filter.. Im looking to achieve "sunglasses" for my lens.. Do I go with a ND filter or Circular Polarizing Filter... Thanks!!!

The pol. filter will make for a darker sky and more vivid colors and you can adjust the effect by rotating the filter.

The ND filter only allows you to use a slower shutter speed or wider f-stop but otherwise does not effect the image.

For must people now-days we do this kind of thing in post processing. Shoot in RAW format then you have many options later. You can do most of this in Photoshop.

In short, now days with computer post processing I'd say the only useful filters are the Pol. and maybe, sometimes a gradient filter if shooting landscapes from a tripod. but people are doing HDR now rather then using a gradient filter. so that leaves the Pol. filter.

 

[BJMRamage]

A ND filter can produce effects not really doable in post production.

They could allow water to turn wispy in daytime hours when using a long shutter isn't possible. It can allow you to get a smaller DOF when using a larger aperture (the smaller number, maybe I wrote that wrong). You can use a ND to get lines for fireworks.

Simply darkening the image can be done via PP but using it to affect the motion of an object in a photo cannot be replicated (Perhaps using multiple shots and then layers and masks in PS or the like)

 

[Cheese&Apple]

The pol. filter will make for a darker sky and more vivid colors and you can adjust the effect by rotating the filter.

The ND filter only allows you to use a slower shutter speed or wider f-stop but otherwise does not effect the image.

For must people now-days we do this kind of thing in post processing. Shoot in RAW format then you have many options later. You can do most of this in Photoshop.

In short, now days with computer post processing I'd say the only useful filters are the Pol. and maybe, sometimes a gradient filter if shooting landscapes from a tripod. but people are doing HDR now rather then using a gradient filter. so that leaves the Pol. filter.

A lot of this is just not true Chris.

The primary purpose of a polarized filter is to remove unwanted glare from reflected surfaces such as glass. A spin-off effect of the polarized filter and removing glare is saturated colours with fewer clipped highlights.

Unwanted glare is difficult to edit out. Saturating colour is very easy in post.

The effects of an ND filter and the resulting slow shutter speeds on an image are wide ranging depending on the effect you're trying to achieve.

Bottom line is that using each of these filters, when used for their intended purpose, can produce great results. Neither should be considered easily replaced by post-production especially the ND filter effects.

OP, your choice should always be optical effects over post-production effects. Just make sure you understand the purpose of optical effects.

 

[harleymhs]

Thank u for all of your great and helpful replies!!!!

 

[macjonny1]

ND filters IMHO are the most useful as they will allow slower shutter speeds in daylight.

 

[PixelpusherBV]

The primary purpose of a polarized filter is to remove unwanted glare from reflected surfaces such as glass. A spin-off effect of the polarized filter and removing glare is saturated colours with fewer clipped highlights.

Unwanted glare is difficult to edit out. Saturating colour is very easy in post.

The effects of an ND filter and the resulting slow shutter speeds on an image are wide ranging depending on the effect you're trying to achieve.

Bottom line is that using each of these filters, when used for their intended purpose, can produce great results. Neither should be considered easily replaced by post-production especially the ND filter effects.

OP, your choice should always be optical effects over post-production effects. Just make sure you understand the purpose of optical effects.

Wise words from Cheese&Apple.

 

[ChrisA]

A lot of this is just not true Chris.

The primary purpose of a polarized filter is to remove unwanted glare from reflected surfaces such as glass. A spin-off effect of the polarized filter and removing glare is saturated colors with fewer clipped highlights.

...

Yes, exactly. That is why I said the only filter you really need is the polarizer. The other effects can be done in post processing. I was actually agreeing with you.

The ND filter is good but it's rare that you'd need it for still photos. Yu can usually shoot at fast shutter speed and low ISO. It is more us full for video where maybe you can't get the shutter speed so fast but still want to shoot with wide open f-stop. Also in video post production is harder, way harder if the subject or background is moving.

 

[Borntorun]

Yes, exactly. That is why I said the only filter you really need is the polarizer. The other effects can be done in post processing. I was actually agreeing with you.

The ND filter is good but it's rare that you'd need it for still photos. Yu can usually shoot at fast shutter speed and low ISO. It is more us full for video where maybe you can't get the shutter speed so fast but still want to shoot with wide open f-stop. Also in video post production is harder, way harder if the subject or background is moving.

Not quite. Try achieving shallow depth of field in broad daylight at f/1.2 (say) without over exposing.

Try using fill-in flash at wide apertures during broad daylight - when most flashes has a sync speed of around 1/200s....

 

[Alexander.Of.Oz]

The ND filter is good but it's rare that you'd need it for still photos.

I can see that being true for people shots, but for me with landscapes and architectural images, it is my go to filter... I can't achieve 5 minute blurs of clouds without it. I don't ever use a polariser, unless I want to see under water, to get details of rocks, or to cut down reflections and glare from windows. I absolutely hate over-saturated blue skies in images, but that's just my opinion! Which means S.F.A.!

 

[compuwar]

Yes, exactly. That is why I said the only filter you really need is the polarizer. The other effects can be done in post processing. I was actually agreeing with you.

That depends heavily on the value of "you" and the things you shoot.

A polarizer won't get you significantly larger apertures for subject isolation in daylight. While you _can_ do some of that in post, it's not easy and won't quite be the same in terms of Bokeh.

Nor will it give you significantly longer shutter speeds for moving water or deleting people- both also not really great post tasks. Want razor-think DoF, but motion blur for sports- such as horses legs, motorcycle and automobile wheels? Ever tried to shoot a helicopter or piston engined aircraft at an airshow in direct sunlight and get prop motion? Yup, ND filter again.

Paul