Do you use filters for street shooting?

[steve garza]

I don't use colored filters for street shooting because I tend to do a lot hip/chest shots and know that I would forget to adjust my exposure to include the filter factor. Although, it's fine if you're composing through the VF and either use the in camera meter (ttl) or remember to compensate.

 

[John Rountree]

I never use color filters. But on some (expensive) lenses I use a UV, and when I want slower shutter speeds in bright light, I sometimes use a ND filter.

I often use a neutral density filter (2X or 4X) so I can use a larger aperture when shooting street. I have never understood the logic in putting a $20 piece of glass (UV or skylight) in front of a $1,500 piece of glass! There are more suface and air layers to degrade the image while a rigid lens hood will protect the lens better and reduce or eliminate the effects of stray light bouncing around inside the lens.

 

[nightfly]

The only time I use filters is when shooting infrared film. Otherwise, I like naked glass. I find Neopan 400 and Tri-X tend to be contrasty enough without a filter and the sky doesn't seem to blow out much.

I try to use as little stuff as possible. I find it's much easier to put a fingerprint on a filter than on a lens that is usually recessed a bit. I also don't like to fiddle with hoods too much. The lenses I use seem to do okay without them and it keeps them more pocketable. A cheap screw on metal lens cap though is nice to have for protection if you can remember to take it off and keep from losing it. They are less than $5 on ebay.

 

[raid]

I used to use filters extensively when I was using 100% SLR equipment, but since I moved to rangefinders [mostly], I have not touched any filter.

 

[DMG]

yellow filter on all the time

 

[Steve Bellayr]

This was a previous thread. OK but it is still a valid question. A UV filter does two things gives a slightly better image (sometimes, but never have I heard that it gives a worse image) and protects the lens. When you are shooting street or otherwise the lens cap is off for long periods of time (hopefully) and it prevents the lens from getting dirty or rain on it. (This weekend I was shooting in the rain with a summicron. Much better cleaning the filter. Ever read: "lens with slight cleaning marks".) The last time I answered this question I had come from a shop where an adult was touching the lens with dare I add oily fingers...gasp. Ever had some one throw a snow ball at you & it hit the lens...nice! It is cheaper to replace a filter than a lens. Lenses get banged at the front. Ever read: "nick or bang on edge of lens but does not effect image" but sure enough affects adding a sunshade. I've replace a damaged filter...compare that to the price of a lens.

 

[hlop]

A UV filter does two things gives a slightly better image (sometimes, but never have I heard that it gives a worse image) and protects the lens...

Completely agree! Two weeks ago I was shooting in Blue Mountains (2 hrs drive from Sydney). It wasn't rainy but it was that annoying drizzle all the way, I was tired, wet and cold. Before, reading about damaged lens on eBay or paper ads, I thoutght - what a clumsy people! This time, I found myself clumsy and Schneider lens slipped off my fingers .... It's front glass met the rocks with amazing sound! Fortunately, it wasn't front glass really - it was Polariser filter. Still expensive but much cheaper then LF Schneider lens ....

Speaking about a cheap glass in the front of expensive lens - buy a good multicoted filter. Yeah, good lens shade will protect you in most cases but in reality coincidenses are more often then we expect and a rock from oncoming car could hit just into the center of the target

 

[existrandom]

with B/W; i use a Y2 yellow filter and hood whenever i have enough light at handheld speed; if not i take the filter off

i find the yellow give better skin tone, and helps a bit with the forever overcast & dusty sky in Hong Kong

 

[narsuitus]

I only use a protective UV/haze filter when I am shooting in an environment that is likely to damage the front element of my lens.

The only filter I have used when doing black & white film street shooting was a soft focus for portraits.

The only filters I have used when doing color film street shooting were a soft focus for portraits and a warming filter to remove the bluish cast on overcast days.

 

[Xmas]

Completely agree! - buy a good multicoted filter. Yeah, good lens shade will protect you in most cases but in reality coincidenses are more often then we expect and a rock from oncoming car could hit just into the center of the target

hey did not like, the quote. But unless I'm sneaking candits I carry the camera with hand over the cap or with a hood cap.
I'm reminded I do take hood cap photos frequently, not had stones hit me other than when on motor bike when it can really hurt, and I always use poly carb specs and poly helm visor, it happens so frequently.

The problem with filters is they can provice sun images even when multicoated. Pentax did a uv that was not planar to avoid this, never seen one.

Noel

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Another vote for X0 (X zero), often called light green or yellow green.
All the benefits of a yellow filter, plus better skin tones...

Chris

 

[Doug]

I use UV (Haze) multi-coated filters for physical protection for street shooting, but for landscapes I like yellow, green, or orange.