Filters

[guffhoover]

I am off to the alpine region of switzerland in a couple of weeks. It looks like i will have some cracking landscapes to shoot.

My kit currently consists of: 450d, kit lens (18-55mm) & Tamron 70-300mm. I deally i would like a wide angle lens but the wallet is a bit empty for that at the moment. Are there any filters i should be looking at, or is there one filter which is worthwhile having for landscape shots. I'm imagning bright blue skies + snowy mountains etc. Or moody skies with lots of texture in the clouds.

Alot of landscapes that i love the look at seem to have a depth of colour and texture that i can't ever seem to emulate. I'm sure its my lack of skill, understanding & postprocessing.

[Simpo Two]

Polariser, wihtout a doubt.

[guffhoover]

Simpo Two said:

Polariser, wihtout a doubt.

I thought a polariser might be a goer. My two lenses have different diameters and would need different size filters. My preference is to have the filter for the 18-55mm but it might be nice to get a filter on the Tamron. Is there an adaptor which will allow this?

[RichTbiscuit]

I think you want to look at the Cokin filters and adapters.

[Crafty_]

+1 to a polariser

Tempted to say that some GNDs might be useful for stopping down the sky, get a bit more saturation..

These are on offer at the moment..
http://www.teamworkphoto.com/index.php?main_page=p...

you need a holder like this:
http://www.crookedimaging.co.uk/product_info.php?c...

and an adapter ring (this one is for your kit lens)
http://www.crookedimaging.co.uk/product_info.php?c...

cokin filters are cheaper, but they have colour cast problems.

teamwork also do ND filters if you want to stop down the whole scene:
http://www.teamworkphoto.com/index.php?main_page=s...

you can buy separately but the sets are better value..

[Simpo Two]

guffhoover said:

My two lenses have different diameters and would need different size filters. My preference is to have the filter for the 18-55mm but it might be nice to get a filter on the Tamron. Is there an adaptor which will allow this?

You'd get a CP (circular polarising) filter for the larger diameter of the two, then an adaptor for the smaller. Or if that's too much faff, just get one for the 18-55 as that's the one you'll probably do more 'landscape-style' photos with. The difference in that kind of environment will be astonishing, just what you're looking for.

[RobDickinson]

Get a cokin P cpl and holder.

Also dont worry about the wide too much just take carrefull pano shots and stich.

[Ravell]

Another shout for the Cokin P holder and some ND grads. You'll be amazed at the rich colour of the sky and the brightness of your foreground subject. Got a set at christmas and loving it to bits.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cokin-H250A-ND-Grad-Kit/dp...

[guffhoover]

Ravell said:

Another shout for the Cokin P holder and some ND grads. You'll be amazed at the rich colour of the sky and the brightness of your foreground subject. Got a set at christmas and loving it to bits.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cokin-H250A-ND-Grad-Kit/dp...

Decisions decisions.

What am i goign to get more satisfaction out of using polarising or grad filter?

I could just get both but the mrs might not be best pleased.

[GetCarter]

Grad will make your sky darker and hold the highlights in the clouds. Poloriser will 'polorise' all the light cutting down on reflections on water and of water particles in the atmopsphere, giving you darker skys and more contrast. Grey Grad is easy to use but a bit of a faff to carry around, poloriser is more tricky to use as the sun needs to be in a good position or you get 'banding' effects on the sky.

Bracketing the exposure on your camera (taking 3 or 5 shots) will expose for sky and land and you can then put two or more exposures together (in various ways) later.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 17th February 10:42

[guffhoover]

Just got round to seroiusly looking at purchasing a polarising filter.

Looking at the P series Cokin filters from crookedimaging.co.uk.

There are circular and linear polarising filters to choose from and there is a significant price difference between the two. Which should i be looking at / what is the difference between the two?

[GetCarter]

You MUST get a circular one or your metering and auto-focus will go mental.

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 26th February 20:01

[Simpo Two]

guffhoover said:

Just got round to seroiusly looking at purchasing a polarising filter.... There are circular and linear polarising filters to choose from and there is a significant price difference between the two. Which should i be looking at / what is the difference between the two?

Simpo Two said:

You'd get a CP (circular polarising) filter

Because it won't interfere with your camera's AF system.