I received my filters today and ...

Ok. First of all there is a scratch on my UV filter. And there is a golden dot on the CP filter (which I've tried to clean with a lens pen, etc). I ordered these from www.2filter.com (Filter Connection).

Anyway I'm going to exchange the UV for a new one. But what I would really want to know is that, should I return the CP filter and go with ND filters instead?

I took these with my P&S camera so sorry about the quality(I think photobucket dropped the IQ a bit as well),

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Wow thats terrible. Im sure it was just a one time thing. Im sure the replacement will be just fine dont worry.

vincewchan wrote in post #4361544
Anyway I'm going to exchange the UV for a new one. But what I would really want to know is that, should I return the CP filter and go with ND filters instead?

Well that would depend on the sort of shot you're trying to achieve? CPs and NDs are for different purposes.

Send them all back. That's unacceptable.

I agree with Double Negative send them back. I have bought from the Filter Connection and while I haven't had to return anything due to quality issues I suspect there will be no hassles getting an exchange. Before you send the filters back contact the Filter Connection and explain the problem and let them know that you are shipping the filters back for exchange.

I am in the process of retuning a couple of filters to the Filter Connection for exchange but in my case I screwed up my own order.

I'm not sure the dot would matter much on the CPL (hard to tell from that picture) but the scratch on the UV is bad.

A CPL and ND have different functions - what are you looking to accomplish?

Thanks for all the responses. I will be sending them back for an exchange.

Double Negative wrote in post #4364580
I'm not sure the dot would matter much on the CPL (hard to tell from that picture) but the scratch on the UV is bad.

A CPL and ND have different functions - what are you looking to accomplish?

I like to shoot a lot of automotive pictures and I'd like to get that "glare" from the windows away. I also like to shoot landscapes and would like to even out the sky along with the ground. (If that makes any sense).

vincewchan wrote in post #4365605
I like to shoot a lot of automotive pictures and I'd like to get that "glare" from the windows away. I also like to shoot landscapes and would like to even out the sky along with the ground. (If that makes any sense).

Well for the relection you'd want a CPL, and for the landscape sky/ground shots you'd want a Grad ND. Though if set at the right position the CPL could be used to darken skies somewhat.

Sounds like you want to keep the CPL for sure. The ND should be a grad - which is best of the square type. A round ND as above is good for slowing down the overall exposure, such as when trying to blur running water in streams, for example. Or trying to open up the aperture for narrow DoF in bright lighting.

Filter2Filter has a nice deal on HiTech grad nd filters. Just call and talk with them about what you're trying to accomplish. I found they were very nice to work with.