Filter advice

[ian clark]

Hi paulson
you dont mention any UV filters get one for each lens and keep them on if only to protect the front elements.
mine stay on 100% unless im putting some other filter on

[donoreo]

Originally Posted by ian clark

Hi paulson
you dont mention any UV filters get one for each lens and keep them on if only to protect the front elements.
mine stay on 100% unless im putting some other filter on

There is a debate on that one. Some say why put cheap glass in front of your expensive lens? Others just always use the lens hood which will also give protection if you drop the lens.

[MattUK]

Originally Posted by donoreo

There is a debate on that one. Some say why put cheap glass in front of your expensive lens? Others just always use the lens hood which will also give protection if you drop the lens.

UV filters are so basic, as long as you get one from a half-decent name, you won't notice the difference with or without.

[greenwing]

A debate indeed! I don't use 'protective' filters, and have seen many images with reflections from the filter spoiling the image.

[amk1977]

When I first started, I used to use protective filters as I was paranoid about scratching the front of the lens etc. I've since stopped using them as on some of the cheap ones, you can really notice the deterioration in image quality and can get unwanted ghosting/flare. As mentioned above, why stick an inferior piece of glass in front of precision optics?

I now just rely on the lens hood to protect the front element. Lenses are a lot tougher than people think, and as long as you're careful when cleaning them, you shouldn't have any problem. Use a microfibre cloth and ensure you don't have any grit on either the lens or cloth prior to cleaning. Light scratches and cleaning marks aren't going to make any noticeable difference to a picture. Granted, a filter might protect the front element to some degree if you dropped the lens but, in all likelihood, drop a lens on the ground and you'll most likely mess the thing up internally anyway, rendering it useless.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by Paulson

1. Why are there three slots for filters on the plastic holder - is this so you can use more than one if desired, or is there a 'correct' slot to use with a single filtter?

You also use 2x ND plus 4x ND to give you the same as a 8x ND filter. ND filters are used to reduce the shutter speed for long exposures, used for water or cloud shots.

[Paulson]

Dear all - another question.

I've purchased a used Cokin A164 circular polariser, and the a-p series adapter so that it fits my p-series holder.

I'm using a D3100 with the 18-55 lens, which has a 52mm thread.

When all is finally assembled, there still appears to be some vignetting around the edges of the image - is this normal, or have I not aligned it properly? It all seems to have clicked into place.

Also, the way the a-p adapter mounts means that you can't use any of the other p-series filter slots!

Before the A164 and a-p adapter go on ebay, are there any answers to my problem?

**EDIT**

All sorted - fear not! I have managed to get the filter aligned now and all seems well, apart from the already mentioned issue that you cant use P series square filters with the a-p adapter in place....

[amk1977]

Personally, I'd still ebay them and get yourself a P filter polarizer. Not being able to use ND/ND grad in combination with the polarizer, may prove to be a limiting factor down the line. I have the Kood CPL for Cokin P filter holders. Its abour £25 on ebay, although sometimes they do go for less if auctioned.

[jet_kit]

If memory serves me right the A-series Cokin filters are about 65mm wide. If you mount one of these in a A-P adaptor then in a P-Series holder you are likely to get some vignetting at wide angles.
If the 18-55mm is your only lens then get yourself a A-Series holder with 52mm ring and stick to the A-Series, you'll save a lot of money. But, if you intend to buy other lenses in the future you could quickly find yourself in trouble. The answer in this case would be to spend the extra and set up a P-Series system.
I've had a look at eBay and you should be able to pick up a S/H P164 CPL for about £15-£20