Filters....UV vs Polarizer vs protective? When? Why?

Graystar said:

There are many types of filters. This is a description of the most common types.

UV filters are for film. Digital sensors do not respond to UV light.

Clear protective filters are used when environmental factors can damage your lens. One example is corrosive mist or spray, such as ocean spray (salt) or Yellowstone park geysers (sulfur.)

Neutral Density filters are used to reduce light, usually for artistic reasons. The best known example is photographing moving water. By cutting light and using a longer shutter speed, a sense of flow can be captured in the image.

Polarizers are tricky to use. Their primary function is to eliminate or reduce reflections of sunlight, which is itself polarized. The effects of polarizers is better known than its workings, however. Deeper blue skies, greater contrast in clouds, brighter foliage, and reduced reflections from water and glass are all typical uses of polarizers. But they only work when used properly.

Learn more about polarizers here...
http://web4.popphoto.com/pdfs/2002/0902/Polarizer.pdf

Use filters only when necessary for a certain effect. Otherwise, leave the filter off because filters reduce image quality. To protect your lens use a hood instead of a filter.

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