http://www.petapixel.com/2011/06/16/experimenting-with-stacks-of-uv-filters/

It’s obviously an “extreme” experiment, but it’s also educational.

There’s probably some post-processing going on, though it’s been five years since I did it so I don’t really know what I did. Plus, this was back in my “barely learning to use Photoshop” days. When I look at the original size now, I can see that I overcooked whatever I did to it… the grass in the foreground looks pretty crappy.

I wouldn’t be surprised if I took it with the kit lens. If not, it was with the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. I’d say it was experience, but mostly it was getting lucky on that one.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whipartist/112040255/

to get the deep, dramatic blue sky. They can also be useful for cutting glare and reflections.

If you want to play around, get a cheap one and try it out. You may lose a little bit of image quality in some circumstances, but it will let you get your feet wet without breaking the budget. If you really fall in love with it, then save up for a good one.

As for UV filters, see above. I never bother anymore.

UV filters will block some ultraviolet light, which can be useful especially at higher altitudes. At sea level, especially with digital, it’s less important. If you’re shooting indoors it doesn’t really matter much at all.

UV filters will afford some protection for the front element of your lens. Obvious, it’s better to scratch up a filter than to scratch up a lens.

On the flip side, UV filters are yet another piece of glass in the path of the image, and they can cause optical effects. I’ve seen a couple of photos that were completely ruined by reflections off of a cheap UV filter.

I used to put UV filters on all of my lenses, but I don’t anymore. I probably would use one if I was shooting in a lot of debris, or some other situation where my front element would be seriously at risk. Otherwise, I don’t really see much of an advantage.

Should I get UV, Circular Polarizer, both? Any brand or model recommendation?

Thanks for your help.

Thank you for creating this site. You have converted me from shooting auto to manual. I have recommended your site to many of my friends.
I wanted to get your opinion on UV filters. Are they really necessary? Most opinions I have read are that they are good for protecting the front element of the lens. But they don’t seem to be doing much of “filtering” that a lay person would notice looking at the picture. What do you think?
I want to know this because I am debating whether to buy such a filter and if so should I go out and buy an expensive one or any old cheap (< $10) filter would do the same job.

Mike.

The difference between no tripod and a moderately good tripod is huge. Beyond that the refinements only really matter when they matter to you.