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What filters should I buy for landscapes ?
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Hi there I’m just wondering if anyone has any advice on what brands and types of filters I should invest in to improve my landscape shots. I’m new to dslr photography although I have had an interest in photography for the past few years I just made the big leap recently and purchased a new camera and lense. I have a circular polariser for the lense but I am interested in investing in maybe some nd graduation filters….I am limited budget wise but I was thinking it would be better to purchase quality rather than quantity at the moment and build up my collection of different filters as time goes by. In other words do you think it would be more beneficial if i bought one or two quality filters for a start rather than buying a kit of less quality ? and what filters would you recommend ie. 0.3 nd soft…
First off, make sure you understand how the polarising filter works, as it has some limitations – my Dad bought one and trekked through Nepal for five weeks, and when he came back we were talking about how good his skies looked. Then I asked if he found it awkward to turn the filter with his gloves on and he just looked blank – didn’t realise you had to twiddle the end :lol:
I bought the P-system from Cokin and I like it a lot. Some people complain that it can have a pinkish tinge but I have never noticed this. You can pick this up fairly cheaply (check the back of a photo mag) which allows you to invest in a more flexible system that you can use on lenses of different diameters with the appropriate adapter. I have an ND4 soft grad which works really well at detailing in and bluing up the skies. I really like it but it is a bit cumbersome to get used to! I think Lee filters offer a similar style but more expensive and of a higher quality, more towards pro-end. I would say get a cokin setup with maybe a couple of these and experiment. It’s easy to add more over time when you can understand more what you want them to do. Maybe get an ND2 hard graduated and an ND4 soft?
What kind of landscapes do you want to shoot?
:D
Thanks Willem, thats a great help to me.It clears a few questions I had in my head. I am hoping to get a chance to shoot some seashore hopefully maybe at sunrise. I will hopefully get other chances to shoot inland mountain shots. I’m a beginner so i suppose im open to trying everything! What landscapes would you suggest I begin with?
Hi Kells,
I am not sure where you live, unless your username is a clue, but there are
probably landscapes all around you.
Fields, mountains, hills, trees, rivers ………..
You can get out there and take some photographs.You can also look at some landscape photgraphs on the net and see what
takes your fancy.
Theres a whole section devoted to this branch of photography here on PI.Personally I wouldn’t rush out and start buying gear that you may not even use.
Have a look at the scenes around you.
Learn at what time of day they look best. It will normally be early or late in the day.
If you have a camera and a lens you can take landscape photographs and as you
learn you can puchase equipment that you actually need.I hope this helps.
John.
Hi John,
I live in Dublin so there is plenty of options to shoot a wide range of landscapes. Cant wait to actually get going and get some shots taken. I think you have a good point about buying gear you will not use. I suppose its easy to get trapped into thinking you need all these extras to take good shots.I think I’ll just concentrate on getting some shots taken and down the road I’ll take Willems advice on board if I decide to purchase some filters. Thanks again.
Kenneth
Hi Kenneth,
I appreciate your sentiments.
Your reply makes it worthwhile offering an opinion.You are totally correct.
Get out there, take some photographs, see how they turn out and
learn from there.If you need some advice just ask and if you find you need some gear
to get the photographs you are after then’s the time to look for it.The very best of luck.
John.
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