This is a very controversial subject on the internet: do I have to put filters on my lenses:
basically there are two types of answers:
- put a UV filter on all your lenses, this
is necessary to
protect them and use other filters depending on the application
- NEVER put a filter on a lens, this will degrade picture quality
Now, what do I think, and what would I advice ?
I put a UV filter in front of all my lenses for extra protection (from water, sand, shocks, even if I also use the sunhoods all the time). I prefer cleaning a UV filter than cleaning the front element of an expensive lens every month. Regarding picture degradation, until now, I have NEVER been confronted to a situation where the picture was not good because of the presence of a filter. There are lot (thousands) of pixel peepers on the net who will react if you post a picture with a little bit of noise or vignetting to show how better the picture could have been with comparisons and examples. I have NEVER seen (until now) anybody showing the big difference between a picture with and without a filter. There are people saying that they don't want to put a cheap filter in front of an expensive lens. I did, and it saved me more than 1000USD already because without the filter the lenses would have been seriously damaged.... and again I never saw any effect on any of my pictures. I am not using supercheap filters, I try to use B+W or Cokin or Prinz filters I can trust.
Up to you to decide, I made my decision and I am not unhappy with it.
Regarding other filters, there are a few filters which are useful:
- circular polarizers (circular to be able
to use autofocus
without problems) to reduce or eliminate reflections (typically in
glass,
windows, water) or improve contrast/colors in the sky. By turning the
polarizers,
you can fine-tune the effect. Highly recommend, but you lose some
brightness.
Since a polarizer needs to be turned, to have a predictable effect, it
is
recommend to use them on lenses with a fixed front element, otherwise
you have
to adjust constantly while the lens is focusing or zooming.
- ND filters (neutral density) are typically dark grey filters allowing you to lose a number of stops (reducing the incoming light). This is sometimes necessary when there is too much light for the shutter speed you want to select (if you want to create a "blur" effect on the water in a well lit environment.
- filter systems including grad filters (see related chapters in the photography tips)
See Grad Filters experiments and Special effects filters
also see the Cokin filter system review