Filters for Nikon D80

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stormlady - 21 Dec 2006 12:27 GMT

Hi all,

Today, in about 10 hours I will be going to pick up a D80 as a surprize
for Christmas. I was thinking to get a UV and a polarizing filter to
go with it (I think they'd fit in a stocking). Is there any type/brand
that I should be looking at in particular? I know nothing about
filters and want to get good ones to go with the camera.

Thanks
Heather

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Dr Hfuhruhurr - 21 Dec 2006 13:59 GMT

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks
> Heather

Heather,
I've got a D50 and I use Hoya filters. I've got a UV (although some
people prefer skylight) and a circular polariser. Both lenses I've got
have the same 52mm attachment. This combination suits me just fine for
amateur use.

Doc

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Joseph Meehan - 21 Dec 2006 14:45 GMT

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks
> Heather

Most digital cameras are almost blind to UV light so as a filter, a UV
filter is almost totally worthless. Many people buy them to "protect" the
lens. This need for protecting the lens has been a standard sales practice
so long that it is generally believed. Back in the 60's when I was in photo
retail it was standard practice. Often we would make more money on a UV
filter and a gadget bag than on the camera. My boss never wanted us to sell
product that was not needed. We would let the customer buy it, but most of
us would inform the customer if we felt they did not need it.

Before doing retail I worked as a professional photographer. We were
hard on equipment and many of the lenses had small scratches and nicks. The
larger nicks and scratches were filled with India ink (magic marker today)
and they worked just as good. We never used UV filters (it was 90% B&W back
then).

If the UV filter makes you (or more important her) feel good, get one.
If quality results are important, then get a very good one. Those filters
are sticking out front with little protection from flare and that can reduce
the quality of a image much faster than a small nick or scratch. The best
filters are optically high quality and coated to help reduce flare. The
cheap ones have far lower optical quality and coatings than the lens on the
camera is likely to have.

The polarizing filter is a good idea. I will not ever preach about
getting top quality, although it would be nice and I would suggest avoiding
the bottom of the line. She should not be using the polarizing filter for
most of her work.

Signature

Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit

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David Ruether - 21 Dec 2006 16:29 GMT

>> Today, in about 10 hours I will be going to pick up a D80 as a
>> surprize for Christmas. I was thinking to get a UV and a polarizing
>> filter to go with it (I think they'd fit in a stocking). Is there
>> any type/brand that I should be looking at in particular? I know
>> nothing about filters and want to get good ones to go with the camera.

> Most digital cameras are almost blind to UV light so as a filter, a UV filter is almost totally worthless. Many people buy
> them to "protect" the lens. This need for protecting the lens has been a standard sales practice so long that it is generally
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> The polarizing filter is a good idea. I will not ever preach about getting top quality, although it would be nice and I would
> suggest avoiding the bottom of the line. She should not be using the polarizing filter for most of her work.

JM's advice is good - but I still prefer to use a good single-coated UV
(much easier to clean and multicoating does little for you on the front)
combined with a proper shade for the lens. Most people don't know
how to clean multicoatedlenses and scrubbing a filter (preferably in a sink,
with dish detergent and cotton balls, with distilled water rinses afterwards)
is preferable. Hoya UV and circular polarizers would be my budget
filter choices (avoid Tiffen).
--
David Ruether
DRuether@twcny.rr.com
rpn1@cornell.edu
http://www.ferrario.com/ruether

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Joseph Meehan - 21 Dec 2006 17:07 GMT

> JM's advice is good - but I still prefer to use a good single-coated
> UV (much easier to clean and multicoating does little for you on the
> front)

> combined with a proper shade for the lens.

Great point. While it does not work for all situations (sea side wind
blown sand and salt water for example) a proper shade is a great addition.
It not only provides very good physical protection, it also can reduce
flare. So it is one protection device that can actually improve images as
well.

>Most people don't know
> how to clean multicoatedlenses and scrubbing a filter (preferably in
> a sink, with dish detergent and cotton balls, with distilled water rinses
> afterwards) is preferable. Hoya UV and circular polarizers would be my
> budget
> filter choices (avoid Tiffen).

Signature

Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit

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MurrayW - 25 Dec 2006 00:53 GMT

nice to see some good advice given in a newsgroup Joseph. I too worked
for 40 years and never used a "filter for protection" but would never
use a camera without a lens shade. The other must unless using a tripod
is the neck strap and don't leave it dangling. Re the polarizer--even
if seldom used buy the best there is. no point putting poor glass in
front of expensive lens.

MW

> ..
> >
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> > budget
> > filter choices (avoid Tiffen).

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tomm42 - 21 Dec 2006 15:21 GMT

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks
> Heather

A polarizing filter helps in many situations, either a UV or a skylight
filter really do nothing with digital cameras, get a lens hood instead.
Circular polarizers are what everyone recommends. Nikon, Hoya, B&W are
all good filters.

Tom

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