Filter Question

[coleygm]

I just bought the new 17-55 EF-S IS 2.8 lens, and love it.

however, at the time of purchased…I wonder if i Ias the victim of 'at the register impulse buy' as the salesmen talked me into a Tiffen Filter pack. For $149, i Iot a clear glass filter, Warming, Enhancing, and Circular Polarizer.

now..i've always stayed away from clear protective filters for my lenses as from readings on this forum...concluded that they will always lesson IQ. Thoughts?

As for the Warming and Enhancing...i can do any of that in PhotoShop anyway right?

...now the circular polarizer I have been thinking about getting...that along with a Gradient Neutral Density filter...so is Tiffen a good brand for either?

....and in the end, even if these filters are deemed necessary....was the price I paid a deal? and/or should I think about a different brand.

IQ is my priority with any of this.

thanks in advance for any and all thoughts.

[SkipD]

I would suggest taking the filter package back and getting a full refund. Then, if you really feel you need a clear (UV) filter for "protection", get the best that is available - multicoated for sure - and get yourself a high quality circular polarizer. You definitely will never need the other two filters in the kit - as you surmized.

If you don't have a proper lens hood for the lens, get one - preferably the proper Canon hood for the lens - and use it any time the lens is out of the case.

[Jon]

Tiffen filters certainly have caused IQ problems. I use protective filters but get only B+W MRC, and don't see problems with them. Also good are Hoya's S-HMC or better, or Heliopan SH-PMC. Cirular polarizers - same brands. I do prefer Tiffen's filter wallets to B+W's!