do you still use filters?

I am looking into long exposure with a no filter for landscapes. Just curious do people still use filters? I seen a youtube video where a guy takes several shots and merged them together for the effect a nd filter. If you still use filters what brand/type and what do you use it for.

I still use filters. I use Singh Ray filters, both ND (5,10, and 15 stop) and grad ND filters. Personally, my favorite grad filter is the 3 stop reverse grad, which is great for knocking down the horizon around sunset.

The no filter techniques are good, but there are times only a single exposure will do. This is especially true when you have moving components in the image, the multiple shots can end up with the trails broken. So filters do have a place, even in modern digital photography. I don't do much in the way of landscape photography so don't have a specific set of filters for them. I do still have my Cokin filter set, with some ND grads in amongst the range of filters that I used on film. My only problem is that they are only A sized, and so too small for my more commonly used modern lenses.

Alan

I still occasionally use the CPL, but the B+W ND filters get used a bit. I also have Singh Ray 4x6 graduated ND filters I attach to my LEE mount (a 2 stop & 3 stop). I use these for things like waterfalls. The horizon is just so bright compared to the light available (or not available) deep in a valley where the waterfalls tend to be. I could probably get the same effect now using 3 or 5 shot HDR, but these filters were $175 each so I'm going to use them damn it!!

I still use high power ND filters and CPL. But I do not use a big plate system anymore, nor graduated or any of those ND filters. Too much cost for a bunch of stuff to carry around, stack, fool with. I sold it all. I just use a simple set of circular ND filters (10 stop primarily) and a CPL (when I want the CPL, mostly for reflective water surface). I do 8+ minute exposures with this using different techniques of median stacking to achieve the same look, without the negative effects of stacking a bunch of filters, the sensor heat and noise of a true 8+ minute singular exposure, and the problems that happen during all that time frame if something moves, vibrates, random stuff, etc. So I'm more in the digital camp with this now too, but I still use a few ND filters to get there. I generally don't recommend the big plate filter systems anymore, they're expensive and cumbersome and have their own issues and the end result can be done without them now.

Very best,

Absolutely.

I even use ND grads indoors.

CPLs, NDs, and even GNDs. All the others are packed away somewhere.

The digital sensor has a UV filter in front of it, so UV filtration is rather pointless (vs. film).
Polarization cannot be mimiced without a filter, so it remains useful.
Gradient filters can be mimiced in post processing, the filter can prevent loss of detail where postprocessing cannot prevent the loss during capture.
And it is far easier to clean a filter made gloppy with a toddlers reaching hand(s) or a dog's nose than to do the same with the front element of the lens

CPL (often), ND 3, 5, 10

Yes, a CPL, 3 & 6 stop ND filters

ND and circular polarizers really can't be duplicated in post. The rest can be done with image merging and photo manipulation.

OK great I figure I would use a polarizor and an ND filter. Has anyone used a step up ring. I just don't want to buy so many filters. I have different size lens.
Sigma art 35mm: 67mm
Sigma art 50mm: 77mm
Canon 70-200mm: 77mm
Planning to get a sigma art 85mm: 86mm
I already have a 77mm circular polarized. My question is should I just get 86mm circular polarized and use a step up ring for the 67mm? Also do anyone use ND filter for 85mm lens? Should I just a 77mm ND filter and use a step up ring?

hait0622 wrote in post #18438063
OK great I figure I would use a polarizor and an ND filter. Has anyone used a step up ring. I just don't want to buy so many filters. I have different size lens.
Sigma art 35mm: 67mm
Sigma art 50mm: 77mm
Canon 70-200mm: 77mm
Planning to get a sigma art 85mm: 86mm
I already have a 77mm circular polarized. My question is should I just get 86mm circular polarized and use a step up ring for the 67mm? Also do anyone use ND filter for 85mm lens? Should I just a 77mm ND filter and use a step up ring?

There are two ways you can do this, use round filters and step up rings for each different lens, or get a plate kit with a rotating CPL. It would be cheaper to buy the screw on filters, but I find I prefer working with my plates. I have a CPL right now that has a step up ring stuck on it quite good, making it useless for anything other than my 100mm.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #18438068
I have a CPL right now that has a step up ring stuck on it quite good, making it useless for anything other than my 100mm.

Filter wrenches aren't that expensive.

kayl wrote in post #18438085
Filter wrenches aren't that expensive.

I have plenty. It's stuck "real good like".