Nooob saying hi. Which filter to buy first?

I bought a XSi a couple of days ago. So far, I'm pretty scared of it! Soooo much to learn. I bought a 4gb card and the salesman said I should get a UV or polarized filter for my lens. Which should I get? I'm so glad I found this forum!!

if you can only afford 1 filter, i'd get a circular polarizer. it'll add value to your outdoor pics especially in bright light. there are arguments for and against using a UV filter. i find generally it doesn't cause any noticeable impairment of image quality.

Thanks. I'm not going to put alot of money into the kit lens since I'm saving for better glass right now. Circular polarizer it is!

Welcome to POTN!!!!!!

I would not waste my money on a UV filter. If you shoot landscapes, get a good CPL fiter from www.hvstar.net . If you do not shoot landscapes then save your money and spend a lot of time figuring out what you like to shoot. Post pictures here and take the advice of the great photographers here as to what you need to do to improve your photographs.

nitrox28 wrote in post #5951365
Thanks. I'm not going to put alot of money into the kit lens since I'm saving for better glass right now. Circular polarizer it is!

ah, missed that it's the kit lens. definitely don't bother with a UV filter. get a CPL. or if you like landscapes such as waterfalls you could even go for a Neutral Density filter.

oh yes, and welcome to POTN!

FAQ on UV and Clear Protective Filters

You can learn from my mistake

I bought a circular polarizer for my EF-S 17-85 a year or so ago. I am now getting ready for a beach trip and needed a graduated neutral density filter to give me a few stops for at least a 4 second exposure.

What I now know...I can not use my circular polarizer with my cokin p-series filter holder. This holder holds 3 filters so now what I am going to do is purchase the circular polarizer that fits the p-series holder.

Now with this setup all I have to do is purchase the adapter ring for the size of each of my lenses, instead of buying a circular polarizer for each. The adapter rings are far less expensive than the purchase of a circular polarizer.

This link will take you the B&H cokin home page.

As far as what filter to go with starting out, I would definitely go with a circular polarizer and a neutral density. There are options on the ND filter that will give you from 2 - 8 stops.

Good luck and hope this helps,
bp

I too am a newb and mainly will be shooting nature/animals and am not 100% sure which type of filter to get(macro too)

Eagle i wrote in post #5953502
I too am a newb and mainly will be shooting nature/animals and am not 100% sure which type of filter to get(macro too)

taking those sort of shots, you probably don't need a filter, especially for macro and close-ups of animals. get a UV filter if it makes you feel better though and you feel like you need the protection...

The salesperson is just trying to sell you more stuff.

But if you really want to, the first filter I think you should get is a polarizing filter. On the other hand, the UV filter is subjective. All it does it protect your lens and buy something that is not cheap.

nutsnbolts wrote in post #5958251
The salesperson is just trying to sell you more stuff.

But if you really want to, the first filter I think you should get is a polarizing filter. On the other hand, the UV filter is subjective. All it does it protect your lens and buy something that is not cheap.

actually, i do agree. if you can only get 1 filter make it a circular polarizer.

Forget UV filters.

Be aware that CPs cut about 2 stops of light and that'll kill hand holding in late evening unless you have IS.

CPs have specific uses an should not be used at all times and can be overdone/overused.

If you're not shooting landscapes with the horizon in the picture (ie sky and earth in the shot at once) graduated ND filters have little use.

ND filters are really only useful when you want long shutter speeds in brightly lit outdoor situations for creative purposes, ex. to get long exposures on running water, carnival rides at night.

Also, if you're new to photography and DSLRs that last thing I'd worry about is getting filters.

If you're going to upgrade to L lenses soon, getting a cpl or any other filter for the kit lens is a waste of money as most of the L lenses are 77mm and up (16-35L 82mm)... I would wait and learn how to use the camera with the kit lens with what you got now and when the time comes hit an L lens and a B+W CPL or something like that...

great last post. i just spent over 100 on a CP for my 70 - 200. Then purchased the 24 - 105 for a walk around. The CP fits both lenses. It's one less item to fill up my bag and goes on 2 lenses.

Great comment Tunin