Filter questions

So I know that this is pretty basic photography but Im a beginner, but what exactly do certain filters do?

Any filters in particular? All any filter does is remove some light from the picture. It may be light of a particular colour, or it may be light associated with glare.

well i mean more filters in general. I mean wouldnt they diminish some of the IQ?

Only cheap ones. Quality ones you'd be hard pressed to find a difference other than the specific design effect.

What Jon says - you get what you pay for and cheap filters will often add glare, reflections, etc. and degrade sharpness. Your more expensive multi-coated filters like Circular Polarizers (CPL) will add color saturation to a shot, reduce reflection/glare, improve contrast, and generally make your images more pleasing.

All of these were enhanced a bit in PS, but most were shot with a CPL:

http://www.pbase.com/s​apearl/cleveland_flats

When used at an angle to the sun, they will also darken a blue sky, and really make your clouds stand out with greater contrast and apparent depth. - Stu

Thanks for the information... so CPLs are good filters? How much should i expect to pay for filters that are good quality?

Depends on the filter diameter and the type of filter. But if you get B+W MRC, Hoya S-HMC or Pro-1 DMC, or Heliopan SH-PMC, you'll be OK. They're all top quality.

The CPL is more than a UV or Skylight filter in it's ability to polarize light. But there is a cost as it can reduce your exposure 1 -2 stops easily. The UV or Skylight won't do that.

I bought my 77mm multicoated (Hoya Pro1) locally on sale for $149. There's a place in Hong Kong called Havstar(?) that sells high quality filters much cheaper. But you can easily invest $100 depending upon filter diameter.

canonnoob wrote in post #6101348
Thanks for the information... so CPLs are good filters? How much should i expect to pay for filters that are good quality?

i take it that smaller filter diameters will be cheaper?

Yes, but you don't want to get one smaller than your lens' threads (the number by the Φ mark on the front). Probably 58 mm for your kit lens.

mmhmm 58mm for my kit lens and my 100-300mm & 52mm for my 35-80 & 50mm for my new nifty im picking up today..

I'm not much of a fan of step rings, but that's an option that's open to you. Buy the 58mm CPL, then get a 52mm-58mm step ring. Simply thread the step ring into the threads on your smaller diameter lenses, then thread the CPL into the step ring. One disadvantage is that you may not be able to use your lens hood when using the step ring. Other than that, no other issues. If you are able from a budget standpoint, the best option is to have a CPL in the two thread sizes...this will save fumbling with (and having to remember to bring along) a step ring or two. Luckily, the prices for 52 and 58 CPL's arento too bad...its when you get to the 77mm size that prices really take a jump up.

sapearl wrote in post #6101408
...
I bought my 77mm multicoated (Hoya Pro1) locally on sale for $149. There's a place in Hong Kong called Havstar(?) that sells high quality filters much cheaper. .. .

www.hvstar.com

A 77 Hoya Pro CPL with bonus UV is only $109 (See here: http://hvstar.net …ction=VIEWPROD&​ProdID=294)

They're based out of HK, but the office is in Vancouver, Canada.

yup - I knew their pricing was pretty good.

Make sure to double check the shipping charges though. I've heard they can be a bit higher, but in spite of that the price of the merchandise is very good.

Nortelbert wrote in post #6114106
www.hvstar.com

A 77 Hoya Pro CPL with bonus UV is only $109 (See here: http://hvstar.net …ction=VIEWPROD&​ProdID=294)

They're based out of HK, but the office is in Vancouver, Canada.

Is there a real difference in a uv filter and a skylight filter?
Also, there's skylight 1A and skylight 2A, or something like that.

It seems like years ago people always said 'skylight filter' but now it's 'uv filter'.
Can you really tell any difference in your shots between the two?

I think the skylight has a slight salmon colored cast to it.
I wonder if that would actually warm a shot a little.

I was planning to keep skylight filters on my Canon lenses to protect them.
Multi-coated B+W or Heliopan.

Comments welcome.
Tks.