Questions about filters

[erikbaldwinson]

Please do a search on using filters with wide angle lenses as there are MANY threads already discussing this. Filters are not really designed to carry the weight of another lens. Ideally, it is best to mount the WA lens to a step-up ring and use a filter on the outside of the WA lens. In the case of a Raynox this means buying 72mm filters to use with it, but you will be happier overall by doing it this way. There is almost no chance of vignetting with this setup and while you will pay more for the larger filters, there is less chance of stripped/damaged threads on the camera, the WA lens or you filters by doing it this way.

I see. I can't find a Hoya 72mmPol-Fader on B&H. Will they order it in ya think?

[fazik93]

The accessories I got are the Rode Videomic, Canon WD-H43, and the Velbon-7000. All work marvelously.

[The_Redprophet]

Sorry about the noob question, but I'm new to filters. I have an HV40 and a Jag35 Pro with a Canon FD 1.4 lens. I just bought a matte box with two filters holders. I could probably make a lot of use out of a ND filter and a Polarizing filter. I've been reading through, and I still can't seem to find an anwer directly to my questions without reading though hours worth of conversations which is cool, but I probably have too many questions find the answers to all of them so I'll just ask. Ok...

1.) Can I use both a combo of filters that attach directly to my lens and 4x4 filters that would be placed in my matte box?

2.) I've never used filters before, if I can do that then what size of filter should I buy? I'd assume that it would go HV40>Jag35 Pro>Canon FD>Polarizing>Matte Box? If that's so would I buy a 52mm to attach to the lens? I bought a matte box with a 52mm attachment. Would adding a 52mm filter before that throw off the attachment size for the mattebox?

3.) If any of this is possible then is there a way to stack 52mm filters before my matte box? I'd really like to take care of the ND and Polarizing filters on the lens and then add effects like Pro Mist or Fog in the Mattebox.

If anyone can help me then I'm really lost when it comes to filters and filter sizes.

[bustinthejus]

Hmm... Does anybody know the difference between a $100 UV filter versus a $40 UV filter? There seems to be large range in price, and I'm sure that has something to do with quality, but what does it mean when it says stuff like (high density) or UV(0) or multi-coated? Do I really have to worry about that, or will a cheap one work? Or, if possible, could anyone recommend a 72-mm UV filter?


Thanks!

[Khaver]

When light enters a different density medium like glass, the different wavelengths that make up the light are refracted a different amount causing the various colors to focus at different distances, thus soft focus and chromatic abberation. Expensive filters (and lenses) coat the glass with a material that helps lessen the different refraction amounts, thus sharper images.

[Janke]

Does anybody know the difference between a $100 UV filter versus a $40 UV filter?

$ 60... Seriously, a well-known reputable brand is the safest choice.

coat the glass with a material that helps lessen the different refraction amounts

You've got your optical terms backwards. Filters seldom have problems with refraction, but reflection. They are two different things.

Refraction is the bending of light (which also causes chromatic aberration). Unless a filter is not flat, it doesn't cause refraction. (Has to be a really bad filter not to be flat...)

Filter coatings reduce reflections. Good filters also have negligible fluorescence - a cheap UV filter may have some, and that will put a haze over the image, something a UV filter is supposed to remove.

[Khaver]

Even a flat piece of glass can cause refraction. The light entering straight on in the center will not be refracted, but light entering from the edge enters the glass at an angle causing abberation, but...

Me wrong, you right. Coating helps to stop refection, thus allowing more light to enter the lens.

[Randy Malone]

With certain filters though it is worth the tradeoff. Just use a sunshade (makeshift or otherwise). However this is one of the reasons I prefer fixed NDs to vari nd's. You get a much cleaner image with less glare and better colors.

[Dr. Benway]

Of interest:

http://www.lenstip.com/115.1-article...ters_test.html

[Janke]

Thanks! Very interesting reading, that!