Filter suggestion

[bwidjaja]

Not sure if this has been discussed as I could not easily find the information. I am trying to build a filter set, but not sure how to approach this. What are some of the things I should be considering when choosing filters? Is there such a thing as the absolute essential filters to get?

Here are some of the filters that come to mind:
1. Soft Filter (for portrait shots)
2. ND filter (for video using digital camera)
3. B&W filter (for shooting with B&W films)

 

[pagpow]

Hi,

good question -- but it would be helpful in thinking about what response to give to have a little sense of what you are shooting -- in terms of film or digital, color or black and white, age of equipment (range of shutter speeds might affect what ND filters you want), and even subjects that you shoot.

I have found a few particularly helpful:

Polarizing -- particularly useful in color and outside for landscape, but not necessarily useful otherwise

ND two stop -- useful for me primarily when shooting folders outside -- I standardize on 400 speed film and use the filter to bring the exposure within range of limited shutter speed selection of simple shutters -- useful also if you want to pan in some circumstances, or want to run long shutter speed effects (running water, etc)

81B -- medium warming filter helpful in outdoor shots and shooting color film in the shade

Yellow -- for better texture in the sky in outdoor B&W -- but I don't need this with my RD1 since I can dial it in

YMMV

 

[rpsawin]

Think about what type of filters as well...glass screw in, square filter sets...etc. Depending on your lenses there can be quite a range in filter sizes and it can be a bit of a management issue.

Best regards,

Bob

 

[Vilk]

Not sure if this has been discussed...

you bet 😎

What are some of the things I should be considering when choosing filters?

just one: what do you want to accomplish? a filter is an answer, not a question (i.e. "what does it do?"). "how to make the sky appear darker?" use filter A. "how to emphasize model's lips?" use filter B. "how to travel light?" throw them all out...

Is there such a thing as the absolute essential filters to get?

as above--only if there is an "absolute essential" visual effect to go after. now is there? 😉

 

[bigeye]

I'd define 'minimum' as common correction filters, not 'effect' filters(?)

B&W: Medium Yellow 022/#8 (outdoors)
Color: 81A
Color: FL-D (fluorescent light correction)

The Yellow 022 is the most important to me. You can Photoshop your way out of any problem, particularly the color corrections, but you can put back what isn't there in B&W.

Try to buy all to match the biggest filter required, then get adapters for those requiring smaller sizes. Saves a bit of fumbling if any filter can work with any lens in your bag.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Hi, I'm one of those who consider filters are important for film photography, so I filter half my shots: I started buying filters more than 20 years ago, having maybe 20 different kinds of them for all my systems, near 50 in total. I have never regretted buying any filter.


I will tell you what I consider basic, and these three are the only ones that I have for each of my lenses with their right sizes, and the only ones I carry with my cameras always:


The ND8: it's a neutral filter both for color and b&w absorbing 3 stops of light. It allows me to use shallower depth of field, especially on sunny days.


The 81A: it's a warming filter for color, to avoid the cold, blue, sad images on overcast and shadows.


The medium or deep yellow filter: it's for b&w, and it's used on sunny days to give the scenes a look that's closer to human perception... Although modern films are better than old ones, all films are too sensitive to blue light, and that's why blue skies can appear white... With this filter sky looks natural, without the excessive drama orange and red filters give.


Cheers,


Juan

 

[ferider]

Hi, I'm one of those who consider filters are important for film photography, so I filter half my shots: I started buying filters more than 20 years ago, having maybe 20 different kinds of them for all my systems, near 50 in total. I have never regretted buying any filter.

::::

Juan

Same here. Besided UV/Skylight protection filter, my minimum set is:

- ND8 (for selective focus)
- yellow (for B+W portraits; also "normal" contrast landscapes); in fact, if you don't mind the loss of one stop, and shoot B+W only, you can use a yellow filter permanently.
- red (for higher B+W contrast; make clouds appear white)

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[bwidjaja]

A year has passed and after quite a few camera systems, I think I am now in a pretty stable situation gear wise(crossing my fingers no major GAS attack anytime soon) and had gained a little bit more knowledge on B&W film photography.

So I would like to follow up on this topic. This time these questions are relative to shooting B&W film.
1. Do you always use Yellow filter when outside on sunny day?
2. Is 81A more useful than Yellow for overcast day?
3. For ND, anybody has experience using variable like the one below? Or just standardize on a X stop and add Polarizer if necessary? (which stop?)
http://www.amazon.com/Genus-GL-GNDF-77-Circular-Filter/dp/B003NVMI2Q/ref=pd_sbs_misc_1
4. If using another filter (red or ND) with Polarizer does it matter if the Polarizer is in the front or behind the other filter?
5. Anybody used Marumi Polarizer before?
http://www.2filter.com/marumi/marumisuperdigitalHG.html

 

[maksevrod]

I haven't experience in this...
------------
business china

 

[Chris101]

...
1. Do you always use Yellow filter when outside on sunny day?

No. A yellow filter can be used to minimize distance haze, lift the tone of caucasian skin and keep the sky from going completely bald, among other things. If that's not what you are after, the filter could be detrimental, or at least rob you of half a stop of exposure.

2. Is 81A more useful than Yellow for overcast day?

No. An 81a is used for color film, and has not nearly as sharp a cutoff as a yellow filter. This means that the contrast enhancing effect of a yellow filter will be diminished if an 81a is used instead. However, if that is what you want - a gentler skin lightener for example - then by all means go for it. Only your eyes will know if the filter does what you want!

By the way, I am not universally opposed to using color balancing filters with black and white. I use an 80a filter to enhance haze and flare, and lower overall contrast.