Filters for different Effects

[Rheghead]

Is there an idiots guide to all the different filters you can get for a digital camera? And are they lens specific or can they fit to any lens? It is a whole new world to me that's all. :confused

Thanks

[davem]

http://www.tutorial9.net/photography/filters-and-photography/
Found this - I have seen systems that use a cage specific to the lens but a set of filters that you can combine if you feel the need or are inspired. That was pre photoshop tho!

[Mystical Potato Head]

Here's a link to Cokin filters,they're relatively cheap in comparison to Lee filters and would probably be a good place to start.

http://www.cokin.co.uk/pages/filters.htm

Heres one for warehouse express which gives you the price of all the Cokin range.
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/category/basecategory.aspx?cat03=3073

You will need a P series adaptor ring to fit the thread of your lens if it is over 62mm,if not then you will need A series.
and then you need a P or A series filter holder which fits onto the adaptor ring.It has 3 slots in it so you could fit 3 different filters at a time if you need or want to.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/category/basecategory.aspx?cat03=3071&Brand=44&Range=1423
The only round filter i would buy is a polariser which i have on every lens i have and they stay on.They're a wee bit expensive but they act like polarised glasses and get rid of glare which enhances colour and contrast a bit.Also protects your lens.You can also protect the polariser with a cheap skylight filter.

[North Light]

I use UV filters as "Protectors", but if the day is calm, and there is no salt spray in the air I will normally work without any filters, particularly if taking images towards the light, one less set of surfaces to cause Flare.
Otherwise filters are now limited to ND grads, ND filters and a polariser, although as I prefer to work with wide angle lenses the use of a polariser is not as common as it used to be.

This site has some useful information on filters etc.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-lens-filters.htm

[Dusty]

Kood filters area cheap alternative to experiment with before you buy more expensive ones.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=kood+filter&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=4433261253&ref=pd_sl_4i7jor9n61_b
I would invest in a good polariser though, I wasted money buying a cheapo which turned out to be less than effective.
The Kood system is compatible with the Cokin and Lee systems so if you buy the filter holder and attachment rings you can upgrade the filters later.

[kas]

I use UV filters as "Protectors",
This is the best photogrpahy advice I have been given to date....

I fell one day with the camera in my hand, and luckily the filter took the impact costing £25 to replace. Had I not had this on the lens it would have been hundreds to repair, or possibly a new lens all together. The filter glass was in bits and the rim all dented.

Do not know much on filters but do use the UV filters for protection.