which filter???

[TheresaH]

hi all

I am going to purchase a lens adapter and a filter I just don't know which filter to use. Is there a specific one to purchase. I am going to get the 52mm adapter (for the s3is) from lensmate. Is there anything else that i should look into as well?

thanks for your help

Theresa

[Mgw189]

Depends on what you want to do with the filter. If you are just looking for protection a UV filter. Polarizer for reducing glares deepening colors. ND filters reduce light entering the lens for different effects. There are a ton of other filters out there that accomplish different effects

[TheresaH]

what is an nd filter
is there a difference between a circular polarizer and a regular polarizer?

[Mgw189]

what is an nd filter
is there a difference between a circular polarizer and a regular polarizer?

ND stands for neutral density. Its grey colored and there are a varity of different shades or levels. They cut out the ammount of light getting to the sensor and allow for longer shutter. This can create different effects. Your going to want a circular polarizer with your s3is its what I use with my s2is.

[mishnogram]

For point and shoots a linear polarizer will do just fine, save the money. Look at the lensmate website, they explain what each filter does.

I've got a polarizer and ND8 filter and am still experimenting to see what I can get with them.

Have fun

[Mgw189]

For point and shoots a linear polarizer will do just fine, save the money. Look at the lensmate website, they explain what each filter does.

I've got a polarizer and ND8 filter and am still experimenting to see what I can get with them.

Have fun


I thought circular polarizers were recommended for for auto focus cameras?

[JustShootin']

I thought circular polarizers were recommended for for auto focus cameras?

I did too. I remember with auto focus 35 MM, nothing else would work. Yet I've heard different when it comes to compact digital. Personally, I'm not sure. I already had circular on hand, so that's what I use. But if the linear works, then that's the one to buy, as they are cheaper.

[Jon]

I thought circular polarizers were recommended for for auto focus cameras?
Circular polarizers are recommended when there's a partially-reflective mirror involved (either for focussing or metering, as with the old Canon F-1 and FT/FTb), as those generally pass one direction of polarization and reflect the other, so with linear polarizers you risk getting nothing to the focussing sensor. P&S cameras generally don't use this arrangement to AF so linears won't cause the problem. However, if you expect to move up to a DSLR, getting a circular now will save you in the long run.

[sonnyJ]

re:nd filters. Functionally they allow longer exposure. Problem I had with S2, as example. I wanted to take photo of waterfall and get blurred effect of moving water. It was a bright day and S2 only closes to f8 so I couldn't get exposure down to 1/25 or longer, even with ISO at 50 and not overexpose shot. With ND filter I could get several steps longer exposure (depending on which strength ND) and get the effect I wanted.

[Mgw189]

Circular polarizers are recommended when there's a partially-reflective mirror involved (either for focussing or metering, as with the old Canon F-1 and FT/FTb), as those generally pass one direction of polarization and reflect the other, so with linear polarizers you risk getting nothing to the focussing sensor. P&S cameras generally don't use this arrangement to AF so linears won't cause the problem. However, if you expect to move up to a DSLR, getting a circular now will save you in the long run.
Ahhhhh makes sense now...

[TheresaH]

do i need to purchase a step up ring? if i am going to use a nd8 filter? agian i have a
s3is??

thanks for all your help everyone, i am learning so much

[TheresaH]

oh ya and i am going through lensmate (if that makes a difference)

[Mgw189]

do i need to purchase a step up ring? if i am going to use a nd8 filter? agian i have a
s3is??

thanks for all your help everyone, i am learning so much

I think the step up ring is for going from 52mm to 58mm. If you havent purchased yet you may want to consider the 58mm option. If I remember correctly if you ever decide to switch to a DSLR the 58mm filters will be compatable with quite a few of those lenses. If you end up getting the photography bug like the rest of everyone else your gonna end up wanting a DSLR. :lol:

[jr_senator]

I would get the CP if it is not that much more, it would be easier to sale/trade later as well as fitting DSLR lenses later (maybe). 52mm is what I use on my 100mm macro, a common lens.

[TheresaH]

i am thinking about going slr in maybe a year so should i just go for a 58mm in everything?

[Jon]

The only things that'll carry over are the filters. If you're not planning on using a filter with a lens converter, you could just get a 58 mm and a step-up ring; if you want polarizer and tele at the same time, then get the 58 mm across the board. More lenses take 58 than 52, IIRC. The kit 18-55 does; if you were to start with one of the alternates they take bigger filters, up to 77 mm.

[TheresaH]

what is IIRC?

[Mgw189]

if I remember correctly