Are coloured filters any use?

So I did a search and couldn't find any info or comments on using coloured filters on a dSLR...

I'm thinking about getting a Yellow and a Red (and if I understand correctly, to bring out the blue skies and sunsets respectively) along with a circular polarizer..

Any thoughts on this?

Also, has anyone heard of Quantaray? Yey or nay?

Thanks guys!

There is not a single reason that I can think of to use colored filters on a DSLR. Colored filters are used to change contrast between various elements of the subject when shooting with black and white film. You can do everything in software now, and to a much more controllable degree.

Don't even think of Quantaray (a "non-brand") for filters. Quantaray is a private-label name for Ritz Camera (and at least one other store name) and is applied to cheap stuff made by who-knows-who. That stuff may be acceptable for somebody who doesn't have a clue about photography, but nobody who cares about quality should even consider it.

SkipD is right, but a good quality circular polarizer is a good investment.

I overlooked the polarizer in the original post - that is definitely something I would recommend, but a good quality one for sure (multicoated is a definite requirement).

Definately should have a circular polariser.

I still use Graduated neutral density filters too to help especially landscapes - to balance bright skies and darker ground areas. What do poeple think about ND filters nowadays?? Could/Should I be doing that in PS?

The effect from circular polarizers can't be duplicated in PS. ND grads can be done by "cheating" such as taking multiple exposures and blending them. (http://www.luminous-landscape.com …s/blended_expos​ures.shtml) and this may even be desired when there's an uneven border between the light & dark parts of the scene. Pure ND filters - when one wants longer shutter speeds - also can't be duplicated in PS. A CPL will add a couple stops and a smaller aperture will add more stops, but these may not be desired or might not be enough.

ah... thanks everyone, this has helped me greatly!!

A friend of mine was going to check out Ritz Camera so I figured I might pick up a few things, but since it seems I don't need the coloured filters, I'll just get a circular polarizer from a store up here.

Thanks again!

DimensionZero wrote:
ah... thanks everyone, this has helped me greatly!!

A friend of mine was going to check out Ritz Camera so I figured I might pick up a few things, but since it seems I don't need the coloured filters, I'll just get a circular polarizer from a store up here.

Thanks again!

DON'T go to Ritz to get the filters. Their stuff (Quantaray) is, shall we say, less than stellar. Get a good name brand such as Hoya (there are others, but that's my favorite).

I used to use yellow and red filters, but that was only when using Black and White film (do you remember that stuff).

N

Actually the high end Quantaray is made by hoya for Quantaray denoted w/ DMC it is equivalent to the HOYA HMC. If you ever get a chance to go to a Ritz store you'll see the filter demo w/ 3 Dimes just like Hoya's. They also have Quantaray by Cokin as well. Ritz also carrys Sunpak Filters. If you check out the site you'll see that one of the filter is made by Marumi Japan.

I'm fortunate enough to have Adorama & B&H near me that I can get practicly any filter brand I want.

hmm, this also brings up another point.
I don't remember where I found it, but there was a site that compared all the different brands of poloarizers and stuff and I seemed to have lost it.

Does anyone here have it? Or maybe something similar?

I'm curious how much difference there is between the major brands.

Thanks!

This isn't a comparison of filter brands, but I wrote this in response to someone else asking if brand matters:

Thanks Scottes, that was very helpful!