Ngairo Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Got a new Digital SLR for xmas....Nikon D60....still trying to get off automatic but getting there.... What filters are going to give the most advantage?...ie polorizing? uv filters?...I understand the colour ones.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English_Bob Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Congratulations... Good cameras. I bought a book called "Nixon D40 for Dummies" by Julie Adair King. It helped me a lot. I'm sure there's one for D60 too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grezzzy_greer Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 I bought a Nikon D60 while I was in Hong Kong last year - it's great! I'm no real kind of photographer, but I am enjoying using the camera. At the moment the most I really use is either full auto or I turn off the flash. I tried a couple of timed exposures and they were OK-ish... When I got the camera I also bought a UV filter - if for no other reason than that it can help to protect the front element in the main lens - if the UV filter gets scratched, it's no big deal to go buy another (not expensive) whereas if the main lens gets scratched that is a REAL big deal to fix or replace. I recommend that you buy a UV filter for sure - they are cheap, and worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Filters and DSLRs I had tons of filters when I was shooting film but now that I use a DSLR I prefer to do most of those effects on my computer. Rather than add a grad or a colour to a photo I prefer to add it later when you have more control. UV filters When I first got a DSLR I got UV filters. BUT! with DSLR's UV filters can cause weird colour distortions, since the sensors are not usually as linear in their colour response as film. So I recommend using a clear filter for protection, rather than a UV filter. The only time I would use a UV filter is to cut down on haze or improve contrast for a blue sky. Polarizers These are the only filters that I always carry with me now. Perfect for improving contrast on water and cutting down on glary reflections. They can help with sky contrast too, but be careful with polarisers on sky with a wide lens. ND filters If you're shooting with lights (the kind that sync to your camera) it's often handy to have ND filters to cut down the amount of light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Sassy Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 I normally use Polarizer when I shoot outdoor and I dont really go out. Use UV filter everyday just to protect my lenses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deester Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Use a ping pong ball. It gives a little bit of a curve, it works! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeusbheld Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 downside of a UV filter as lens protection is that you're adding another layer of glass to the lens--glass that isn't anywhere near as good as the glass of the lens itself. i'm too stupid to trust myself with expensive lenses so i use one, but the pros swear at, rather than than by, UV filters. a polarizer is good to have, you can cut down on glare from water, reflections on windows, etc. i agree with Neo though you can do most of the tweaking in photoshop and if you don't like the effect in photoshop, you can change your mind (unlike if you slap, say, a black pro mist on the front of the camera, you're just gonna live with it). if you like diffusion (for example if you do a lot of portraits or softcore porn) you may want a diffusion filter, as diffusion is hard to fake well on computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIA_Andie Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 off the topic....i need a new camera :cry: :cry: :cry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Use a ping pong ball. It gives a little bit of a curve, it works! ok I know I shouldn't ask .. use a ping pong ball for what exactly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiaranM Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Use a ping pong ball. It gives a little bit of a curve, it works! ok I know I shouldn't ask .. use a ping pong ball for what exactly? and can we see the pictures ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funky_house Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Use a ping pong ball. It gives a little bit of a curve, it works! Also, I have heard it said that you can stretch a pair of women's tights across the front of the lens, to give "soft focus" when taking portrait pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeusbheld Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Use a ping pong ball. It gives a little bit of a curve, it works! Also, I have heard it said that you can stretch a pair of women's tights across the front of the lens, to give "soft focus" when taking portrait pics. as diffusion goes though it's not exactly the same look as a black pro mist though is it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngairo Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Congratulations... Good cameras.I bought a book called "Nixon D40 for Dummies" by Julie Adair King. It helped me a lot. I'm sure there's one for D60 too... Cher..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngairo Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 gg.... I recommend that you buy a UV filter for sure - they are cheap, and worthwhile. Thanx.....I need to use them here becausue we have a very high UV raiting....are theirr different strengths of UV filters or are they all the same?...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngairo Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Use a ping pong ball. It gives a little bit of a curve, it works! Ur absolutely pulling my thing again.......it's got curves....and it works..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngairo Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 I bought a Nikon D60 while I was in Hong Kong last year - it's great!I'm no real kind of photographer, but I am enjoying using the camera. At the moment the most I really use is either full auto or I turn off the flash. I tried a couple of timed exposures and they were OK-ish... When I got the camera I also bought a UV filter - if for no other reason than that it can help to protect the front element in the main lens - if the UV filter gets scratched, it's no big deal to go buy another (not expensive) whereas if the main lens gets scratched that is a REAL big deal to fix or replace. I recommend that you buy a UV filter for sure - they are cheap, and worthwhile. Good advice... much cheaper to replace the uv filter... I also use a polarizer on a nice sunny day. Gradient filters are useful when you get serious about landscapes, usually in the form of a plastic attachment to your lens and you slide in sheets of glass which are half feathered to grey. This means the top of the glass is darker and fades to clear so the bright sky can be stopped down, this in turn brings out more detail in the land. The filters also come in different colours like orange which is ideal for creating vivid sunsets.. http://www.cokin.com Many thanks...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngairo Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Filters and DSLRsI had tons of filters when I was shooting film but now that I use a DSLR I prefer to do most of those effects on my computer. Rather than add a grad or a colour to a photo I prefer to add it later when you have more control. UV filters When I first got a DSLR I got UV filters. BUT! with DSLR's UV filters can cause weird colour distortions, since the sensors are not usually as linear in their colour response as film. So I recommend using a clear filter for protection, rather than a UV filter. The only time I would use a UV filter is to cut down on haze or improve contrast for a blue sky. Polarizers These are the only filters that I always carry with me now. Perfect for improving contrast on water and cutting down on glary reflections. They can help with sky contrast too, but be careful with polarisers on sky with a wide lens. ND filters If you're shooting with lights (the kind that sync to your camera) it's often handy to have ND filters to cut down the amount of light. Cher.....I've got the clear filters already but want to experiment a bit more..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngairo Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 I normally use Polarizer when I shoot outdoor "and I dont really go out." PANTS ARE ON FIRE Use UV filter everyday just to protect my lenses What brand?......we have limited here.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngairo Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 off the topic....i need a new camera :cry: :cry: :cry: You definately said the wrong words to Santa Claus......he must think your broken ones much better.....is it still broken?...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngairo Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 downside of a UV filter as lens protection is that you're adding another layer of glass to the lens--glass that isn't anywhere near as good as the glass of the lens itself. i'm too stupid to trust myself with expensive lenses so i use one, but the pros swear at, rather than than by, UV filters. a polarizer is good to have, you can cut down on glare from water, reflections on windows, etc. i agree with Neo though you can do most of the tweaking in photoshop and if you don't like the effect in photoshop, you can change your mind (unlike if you slap, say, a black pro mist on the front of the camera, you're just gonna live with it). if you like diffusion (for example if you do a lot of portraits or softcore porn) you may want a diffusion filter, as diffusion is hard to fake well on computer. Thnx...once again....UV ratings are much higher here so they are needed....searched the net to find out if you can get them in different ratings but nothing.....any brand names?..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIA_Andie Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 off the topic....i need a new camera :cry: :cry: :cry: You definately said the wrong words to Santa Claus......he must think your broken ones much better.....is it still broken?...... hahaha.....yes, it's still broken and it's getting worst :( sometimes cannot focus so i had to push the shutter button a few time then it's work :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeusbheld Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 downside of a UV filter as lens protection is that you're adding another layer of glass to the lens--glass that isn't anywhere near as good as the glass of the lens itself. i'm too stupid to trust myself with expensive lenses so i use one, but the pros swear at, rather than than by, UV filters. a polarizer is good to have, you can cut down on glare from water, reflections on windows, etc. i agree with Neo though you can do most of the tweaking in photoshop and if you don't like the effect in photoshop, you can change your mind (unlike if you slap, say, a black pro mist on the front of the camera, you're just gonna live with it). if you like diffusion (for example if you do a lot of portraits or softcore porn) you may want a diffusion filter, as diffusion is hard to fake well on computer. Thnx...once again....UV ratings are much higher here so they are needed....searched the net to find out if you can get them in different ratings but nothing.....any brand names?..... a lot of photogs i've talked to prefer b+w filters, i just use a couple of cheap Hoyas i got here in Bangers (polarizer and UV) if you don't have much of a selection to pick from then maybe you can order from B and H Photo in New York. their selection is good and their prices tend to be competitive, but international shipping may destroy any savings (and then some). they ship internationally, as far as i know they ship everywhere. as far as the UV filter goes, what i read when i got my camera (d80, a couple of years ago) was that they weren't necessary from a UV point of view, as long as you're shooting on Earth. although when you say UV ratings are higher there, i'd imagine it's coz of the altitude? at any rate you'd have to be pretty exacting to see any optical degradation in your final image from the extra glass, and i use a UV filter because i'm an idiot and would otherwise find a way to scratch the glass. also, being an idiot, i usually find a way to put my finger on the glass and so i can then take the UV (and the fingerprint) off if i'm in a hurry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deester Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 Use a ping pong ball. It gives a little bit of a curve, it works! Ur absolutely pulling my thing again.......it's got curves....and it works..... Off topic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 although when you say UV ratings are higher there, i'd imagine it's coz of the altitude? I think he's referring to the hole in the ozone layer above New Zealand that lets in more UV than elsewhere. at any rate you'd have to be pretty exacting to see any optical degradation in your final image from the extra glass, Even a clear filter can cause extra lens flares and weird double imaging. Sometimes I take off my clear filters to avoid such problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeusbheld Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 at any rate you'd have to be pretty exacting to see any optical degradation in your final image from the extra glass, Even a clear filter can cause extra lens flares and weird double imaging. Sometimes I take off my clear filters to avoid such problems. most of my lenses have a lot of elements, and i haven't noticed extra lens flares when i wasn' getting lens flares to the bejesus to begin with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now