Which skylight filter?

[GoLowDrew]

I need one to protect the lens, and I don't want to use a UV filter.

Is it Skylight 1B?

Or 1A?

[GoLowDrew]

Anyone?

[beerguy]

I own two types of filters. A screw on circular polarizer that's almost always on the lens, and a 4 x 6" split graduated neutral density filter that I just hold in front of the lens when I need it.

Remember that everything that you put in front of the lens degrades the image somewhat; i.e. don't screw a $8 Quataray filter onto your "L" lens. Filters can also increase a lens' tendency for flare. If you're concerned about the lens just keep a lens cap on it when you're not shooting. If you're out walking around with it, use a sunshield. Most lenses come with them these days and you can generally order them for lenses that don't.

[Frisco]

A skylight/warming filter is used to shift the white balance slightly to reduce the blue cast that you see in pictures taken outdoors in some lighting conditions. If you take a picture of someone outdoors, their skin tone will look slightly blue under certain lighting conditions, and you can use a filter like this to reduce the blue tones and give their skin tone a more natural appearance. A and B versions have the same effect but to differing degrees, and if you're looking to take pictures of your tank and don't want a UV filter you should probably look into a clear protection filter.

[GoLowDrew]

How about pictures of people? Which do you recommend A or B?

[beerguy]

Also keep in mind that any filter that changes the color of the light reaching your sensor will impact white balance and how you adjust/correct it.

[ahuxman58]

My suggestion is keep a filter on it just in case something happens to strike it, better to crack or break a filter than crack or break your expensive lens!!!!!

[beerguy]

That's fine, and lots of folks do that. It might not be, however, the best thing that you can do for your images.



Cheers

[kwl1763]

Agree 100% Doug. Why put an $8 peice of glass in front of an $800 one?

[jeffbrig]

Of course, the flipside question is why buy an $800 lens and keep a circ. polarizer on it that costs nearly 2 stops of light?

I have UV filters (and polarizers) for most of my lenses, but they aren't the $8 variety, lol. I agree with the general sentiment, don't put cheap glass in front of expensive glass.

Jeff

[beerguy]

Jeff - 95% of what I shoot is landscape; which makes pretty good use of the CP. That being said, I use B+W multi-coated so they're $100 filters not $8 filters.

[jeffbrig]

Originally posted by beerguy
I use B+W multi-coated

Same here...

[kryppy]

Man, this hobby is worse than the reef hobby!! If I spend $100 on a filter, it will exceed the money I spent on my cameras.

I should go dig through the local pawn shops and see if any gold is there waiting for my cheap self...

[GoLowDrew]

I went with Hoya Skylight 1B SMC. $25. Read a few reviews about it, and it seems good. Or I should say, nothing bad to say about it, where as some of the cheaper ones there may be reflection in certain light situations.

[ahuxman58]

The filters on my glass are digital MC UV 77MM. Retailing at 75.00

[sven]

Why do you not want a UV filter? It really does nothing more than protect the lens and does not really shift colors like the skylight.

[sven]

Why do you not want a UV filter? It really does nothing more than protect the lens and does not really shift colors like the skylight. isn't that what you are looking for?

[ahuxman58]

Thats exactly what I use them for.......... protection