Digital Filter or Filter

[therosefairy]

Does it really make a difference if I have a digital filter or a regular filter on my 20D? Does anyone know? I almost think its just another way for companies to charge more for something by trying to talk us into needing the digital one.

[rind]

Hi therosefairly, experience told me that if I need to using color filter ( red, yellow, orange,warming,etc.)its better use digital filter (in Photoshop etc.) because I am not happy with a huge of accessories in my back pack while travelling. However, several filters can not be substitute by digital ones and I always bring it, such as: Circular Polarization, Infrared Filter, Diffuser. This is only my opinion..
Regrads

[Woolburr]

You don't need any filter on your 20D unless you are trying to accomplish a special effect. In day to day use, it is better to use a lens hood than a filter. You may want to get a Circular Polarizer for dealing with water and sky reflections, possibly a graduated neutral density filter to deal with skies that appear to be blown out and a UV or Skylight filter to use if you are taking pictures in a hostile environment...such as a beach on a windy day (where blowing sand or seawater can cause damage to the front element of your lens) or a place where dust or flying debris could accumulate on your lens.

If you do decide to get filters. Don't buy cheap. Multi-coated offerings from companies like B&W, Hoya and Heliopan will provide you with better images down the road. Putting a cheap filter on your camera is just going to degrade the quality of your images.

[blonde]

Dan,

i think he means special effects filters more than UV, CPL etc..

as for the original poster question, i prefer digital filters because i i can change them around if i don't like the result unlike a mounter filter which might be a bit harder to the change.

[Woolburr]

I wasn't sure...because the OP said on my 20D....and Wolf/Ritz salespeople and a few others have been advertising some of their cheap filters as being "digital" filters. Perhaps the OP will return and clarify which info they are seeking.

[blonde]

that makes sense, i guess we will wait for him/ her to clarify...

[SkipD]

Does it really make a difference if I have a digital filter or a regular filter on my 20D? Does anyone know? I almost think its just another way for companies to charge more for something by trying to talk us into needing the digital one.There is no such thing as a "digital" filter.

Like was said above, you don't need ANY filters for your 20D except for creative purposes.

A circular polarizing filter would be a good filter to have, primarily for outdoor photos that include blue skies or for photos of subjects that have reflections in them such as a pond or glass in front of stores. You cannot recreate the functionality of a polarizing filter in any photo editing software.

Someday, you might find either neutral density filters or, especially, graduated neutral density filters useful. These, however, are not something that a novice would have a need for in my opinion.

Any filters that you get should be the highest quality available and should be multicoated to help reduce flare.

Make sure that you get properly designed lens hoods for every lens you purchase, and use them any time the lens is on the camera.

[Curtis N]

There is no such thing as a "digital" filter.Apparently, there is. :D

I just spoke with a rep. at my local camera shop about circular polarisers for my Tamron 28-75 (67mm). She says she has a multi-coated filter for $75, and a digital multi-coated filter for $150 or so.

The OP hasn't responded to this thread, but my guess is that's what he (she?) is referring to.

I have no idea what the difference is (besides double the price), nor do I know if they would produce any perceptible diffence in IQ under most conditions. Hopefully someone with such knowledge will contribute.

[Jon]

Some vendors are billing double-Mc filters as "digital" on the same premise that Sigma's coating the back of the rear elements of its lenses for the "DG" series. But a good glass (lens or filter) maker should be coating both sides of each element anyhow, as some reflection occurs at any air-glass interface, regardless of which medium the light is moving from.

[therosefairy]

Thanks for all your comments. I just want a filter to basically protect my lens. Ritz advertises a "digital" filter, but it didn't sound that different than a regular one, so I just wanted input on if the digital one is really worth the extra money for it.

[Woolburr]

Save your money and skip Ritz....

[therosefairy]

I really hate ritz anyways (no offense to anyone that likes or works for them), but I do want a filter to protect my lens. So basically I think the general consensus here is that the "digital" filter isn't really worth it??

[Woolburr]

This place has decent prices on filters. http://www.2filter.com/ Don't be cheap, if you feel you have to use a filter, buy the best one that you can afford. You won't regret buying high quality. Multi-coated versions are your best bet.

[therosefairy]

Great, Thanks Dan! (and everyone else too)