Please comment briefly on the filters you think are useful. If you shoot IR please mention your favorite IR filters.

Please comment briefly on the filters you think are useful. If you shoot IR please mention your favorite IR filters.
Yes, but only for protection of the front element.
21% (56 votes)
I still use polarizing, ND and grads over the lens.
76% (198 votes)
I don't bother with filters anymore.
3% (7 votes)
Total votes: 261

COMMENTS
LaCresha Kolba's picture

I also use them to protect my glass.

Dona's picture

it's much less expensive to replace a scratched UV filter than front element!

Les Martzall's picture

I use both protection filters AND polarizing, ND and grads.

John Berglund's picture

I tell my students to use UV filters for protection and to cut UV. We live above 4000 ft.

Joe Dlhopolsky's picture

I prefer a lens hood to an additional piece of useless glass over the lens. Digital sensors can not see ultraviolet light, which makes it silly to use a UV or haze filter.

Kyle McIntosh's picture

Being an old school photographer, now even with digital, I find that programs will not equal what filter can accomplish when used correctly.

William J.  Lento's picture

Im still old school as far as accessories for the camera.

Donnie Channell's picture

I haven't found any software that will replace a polarizing filter.

T.  Wolford's picture

A polarizer filter is great you can't or take away what you don't already have.

Kerry's picture

I only use polarizing filters. For protection I keep the lens hood on. Not only does it protect the front element, it also cuts down on flare.

Patti Young's picture

UV & Polarizing Filters are a must!

Joe Dempsey's picture

It continues to be my practice to "fix it in the camera" first. You can always shoot it both ways.

Bill Perkins's picture

Polarizer only. Grad filters are available in software.

Bruce Forbes's picture

I also use a Tiffen Enhancing filter on occassions, like for fall colors. It's an effect that is truly unique, and difficult to produce digitally, even with the use of "selective color" controls.

Roger Robertson's picture

I use a UV filter for general shooting and other specialtiy filters for enchancement and special effects.

Dan Fenn's picture

For me, a polarizer is a must have. I also use grad and ND filters. I'm becoming less concerned about using a UV filter for lens protection since I always use a lens hood.

Dave E.'s picture

I use UV filters for protection (saved a lens once) and other filters to get the best possible image in camera.

Paul Sheridan's picture

Polarizers on every lens, full time--nothing in Photoshop can do what a proper light-modifer over the lens will do before the light hits the film/sensor. And yes, Wratten 25A deep red filters for IR film--a stash of frozen Kodak HS Infrared!

Chuck Pine's picture

Although software post-processing can do a lot, some things are best done while shooting.

Jill Denicola's picture

I am new to filter but I still use one to protect my lens.

David Walker's picture

I used polarizer and ND/grad quite a bit, but I still have a warming filter and a red enhancer that I use every now and then too.

Steven Silverman's picture

I believe as a photographer you need to do everything possible to capture the image as close to perfect in the camera. I feel people who manipulate the image excessivly with software are "Graphic Artists" and not true photgraphers.

Diane Krajenski's picture

Filters like polarizers are an esential tool when taking landscape photos.

Eugene Marrero's picture

Still use filters but I shoot a mix of digital and film. But I will use the polarizers and warm filters on my digital.

Blayden Thompson's picture

I can't live without my ND, grads, and polarizing filters.

Joseph Kovarik's picture

Have never found software that can perfectly duplicate the effects of polarizer or grads.

Clint Gustafson's picture

There are some things that can't be done in software. Polarizing is one. ND grad can be simulated with multiple exposures and HDR, but it's a lot of unnecessary work when you can get it right in camera.

Ovidiu Trifanescu's picture

I also keep on all my lenses an UV filter for protection. Polarizer filters are fanatstic for nature landscapes and I use them any time I can. Also I use a 4 star filter.

Iric Siegert's picture

The real filters give better results. I do not have to tweak simulated results that are someone else's idea of what the results should be.

Lee Olson's picture

I use my camera in a coastal environment--the filter keeps sea spray off of the lens element.

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