Camera Labs

csmonte, it really depends on how careful you are. Hoods and filters at the same time is rather like belts and braces. I prefer using just hoods as I tend to be careful, but I do have a few UVs which I do put on when I know the weather is bad and I want to stop dust/sand/rain from hitting the lens directly.

If you know you can be careful, then the investment into more interesting filters could be worthwhile - look for a close up filter, perhaps a +3 dioptre and see what fun you can have. I'd recommend that over a UV filter for every lens. Just have a UV or two and then rotate them onto which lenses you are carrying on your trip. I seldom carry my full kit unless I'm being paid to photograph and just need that extra kit to hand.

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Nikonian

http://www.edtangphotography.com
http://journeysintophotography.blogspot.com/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004ZCKX

well I'm not seeing any coatings on these. What do you think?

The kit is about the same price as just a polarizer? But then again, if it sucks, what's the point.

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Canon 40D kit Lens 28-135mm IS, Canon 50mm F/1.8, 10-22mm, 100 2.8 macro, 580 Ex.

I would stay clear of essential kits like that, even though Tiffen is a respectable brand. Spend money wisely - you've invested in a decent camera and lens combination - why spoil it by going so cheap with your filters?

That's just my thought.

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Nikonian

http://www.edtangphotography.com
http://journeysintophotography.blogspot.com/

I agree with the dust, rain with the UV, many times the sky or environment looks good when conditions aren't perfect. and I feel like I'm pushing my luck with no protection but I am very careful with my camera.

as far as the close up filters, I haven't really figured out what they are and when I should use them, effects and such. I know there is a handful of filters out there, just trying to figure out what the basics are.

Looks like amazon continues to have the best price on the Canon 50mm 1.8 @ $75+ $7 to ship. I'm making sure to support the site.

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Canon 40D kit Lens 28-135mm IS, Canon 50mm F/1.8, 10-22mm, 100 2.8 macro, 580 Ex.

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Ever wondered how circular polarising filters work? Probably not but the section "Polarized Light" near the top of this page has a fairly straightforward explanation.

I'll risk going even simpler by summarising and saying that it is a linear polariser (similar to those used with some sunglasses to cut out glare ) immediately in front of a gizmo which converts the linearly polarised light into circularly polarised light. The point of doing that conversion is that sensors such as are used in a camera's autofocus system need unpolarised light to work properly and they can't tell the difference between unpolarised and circularly polarised light.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi there

Slightly off the subject but i noticed that "photoj" has a wide angle sigma 10-20 and as i am keen in lanscapes was thinking of getting one! Just wondered if "photoj" could tell me what its like and if is any good!
Cheers

Yes, definitely off the subject - so I've posted a reply in the appropriate thread here: http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=23273#23273

Hope that this helps.

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Nikonian

http://www.edtangphotography.com
http://journeysintophotography.blogspot.com/