Tech Friday: Filters

In years past we all owned a lot of filters, but today with the incredible post processing programs at our disposal, we need a lot less of them, in fact I only use a few:

Polarizers for every lens I carry. Polarizers can help deepen your colors, and remove reflections. I prefer Nikon polarizers because I know their quality, I also own some Singh Ray polarizers as well, both are very neutral and do not introduce any color cast. Also it is very important to know that your filters are plano parallel, which means they are perfectly flat side to side. Also the coatings really matter as well. You spent a lot for your top quality lenses, don’t you think they deserve, top quality filters? You don’t need that many, so buy the best.

Variable Neutral Density. Can allow you to use very small aperture for great depth of field and still have very long shutter speeds for letting water have that nice milky affect. The very best available is from my dear brother Bob Singh, his 8 stop variable ND is not cheap, but it is simply the best one you can buy. This filter allows you to use from 2 to 8 stops of neutral density by simply tuning it like a polarizer. Once again very well designed and built.

Diopter Close-up lenses. While these technically are not filters, they are actually two element close up devices that when used on telephone lenses of high quality, will allow close-up work virtually the equal of Micro/Macro lenses. Some of the best ever made were Nikon’s 3T & 4T and the 5T & 6T.
Sadly they are no longer being manufactured, you may get lucky and find them on eBay or at some dealer that has drawers full of older filters, if you find some scoop them up, they now sell for a lot more than they did when sold as new. Canon also makes some that are excellent, the 500D is 77mm and is a favorite with shooter using telephotos with that filter size.

Because of Capture NX2, Photoshop CS5 and Lightroom 3, I no longer have any need for split
neutral density, warming and cooling filters and color correction filters. I do have and use a
Expo Disc, which looks like a filter but is used to get dead on white balance. That’s about it.

How about protection of your precious glass? Well a lens hood will do a lot more to protect your lenses than a filter. While I have seen dropped lenses where the filter broke instead of the front element, I’ve also see filter break and severely scratch the front element. If you’ve ever had a front element replaced you know how painful that can be in the wallet. If you are shooting in blowing sand or on a beach with heavy salt spray then maybe a protective filter makes sense, but it makes more sense to not take your camera out and shoot in a sand storm or heavy salt spray……

Here is a good rule; “Never put anything in front of the lens if you don’t have a very good reason to place it there.”

Now an assignment for the weekend: Make a list of ten great things in your life that you are so thankful for, then dwell on how good God is to have blessed you so wonderfully, and then get on your knees and thank Him……..

My list:

1. My salvation, forgiveness, and relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. My wonderful partner and the love of my life Sherelene and the family she has given me.
3. My wonderful grandchildren, what a blessing to get a hug from any one of them.
4. The truly great friends I get to work with, and share my passions with.
5. The gift of flying, just how long I waited, and how sweet it is now.
6. The gift of making images, what a great life it has given me and how much I’ve seen.
7. My health, as bad as it is some times, I’m still on this side of the grass.
8. That my needs are met, I’m employed, I have a home, food, and life’s necessities.
9. A great past to remember fondly, a present to cherish, and a future hope for eternity.
10. The joy of seeking God’s wisdom and then sharing it with you.

1. O.K. I cheated one extra, thank you Lord Football season has finally started.

Blessings,

the pilgrim

Links:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Photography-Accessories/Lens-Filters/index.page

http://www.singh-ray.com/

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/87503-REG/Canon_2824A002.html

*Photo notes: Top shot, studio image for previous book, 2nd Image, St. Francis of Assisi, Ranchos De Taos, NM Nikon D70, 12-24 Nikkor f4, Rocks on Olympic National Park beach, D2x, 70-200 AFS VR, Cascades in the Great Smoky Mountains, D2x, 17-55 AFS f 2.8.