General use of Filters in B&W

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Ragnar58

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This question is directed at handheld B&W shooters. I was wondering what seems to be the general practice in this group when it comes to filters other than UV or Skylight (primarily intended as protection). Every contrast-compensating filter will cost some speed, so the question is how often are filters used and what is the typical filter used. I was thinking a light yellow-green may be the best general use B&W filter. So the polling questions are:
How often do you use a filter?
What are your most used filters?

Thanks
 
I never use any filters on my Leica, But on my Rollei TLR, I usually use a medium yellow (because the Rollei seems to see so much sky) outdoors or for portraits with flash (smoother skin tones.) I sometimes like a medium red filter for architectural studies to get the sky to go black, but it's an effect I try not to overdo.
 
PCStudio said:
Filters for "handheld" shooters ? - don't needed
just be sure -lens is clean :)
Click to expand...

Needed by whom ? :confused:


I use almost always yellow (k2), sometimes red (25). When it's too dark I take the yellow filter off. The yellow filter makes skies more natural, and skin tones pretty.

Roland.
 
handheld technique - is a basic capture . Photofilters is a fine technique .
btw " why you're taking Yellow filter off when is too dark ? :-O
**
NB
Yellow filter never made any sky "more natural"
 
Last edited:
A typical portrait with yellow filter:

1209918761_hxPbn-XL.jpg


Neopan 400, Rodinal 1:100.
 
Most of my Monochrome images are with an Infrared camera, and I use an R60 (RED) filter. For monochrome visible- a Light yellow will bring out clouds, and generally increase contrast. It tends to be the most useful Black and White filter.

I am going to suggest a trip to a used Bookstore, or Ebay, for an older Photo technique book on filters and photography in general. Kodak did a very informative book, lots of pictures.

One of my favorites for an overview-

http://cgi.ebay.com/KODAK-BOOK-PHOTOGRAPHY-/260770812922?pt=US_Texbook_Education&hash=item3cb726d3fa

"random Ebay example, not associated"
 
Typical landscape with red (25) filter (Rollei Retro 100, Rodinal 1:100):

930902547_rZfyx-O.jpg


Note that Rollei Retro 100 is the same as APX 100.
 
I like a Y2/K2 yellow filter with almost all the time with true B&W film. I have orange, green and red as well for when the situation warrants. Chromogenic, OTOH, I almost never use filters.
 
White filters are used for light meters to measure incident light. I've seen some for cameras with TTL meters, screw onto the lens.
 
I don't use filters often but sometimes I want to separate some tones with BW film. I usually use medium yellow or orange. Sometimes #25 red. Jim
 
Re: White fonts and green and blue filters

Re: White fonts and green and blue filters

Sorry about the white font. It looked so dark on the screen. I had written the post in MSWord and copied it over and wasn't sure if it was correct.

The green filter for men is an old technique but I've also seen very attractive photos of women using what I believe to be a green filter.

I would think a blue filter might also be useful in a narrow street lit only by an open or overcast sky. Anything that reflects UV would be enhanced. Wet surfaces may be best.
 
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