Upgrading T4i lenses, but confused about filters

DeathByJets wrote:

Hi there. New to the forums here.

I have had my T4i for about 4 years now and have been using some basic lenses:

• Canon 18-55mm EF-S IS II
• Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM

I take lots a general photos, but the stuff that gets me really excited are landscapes, night photos, and travel photos. This summer we are heading to Yellowstone and the Badlands, so I am really looking forward to some great shots and maybe even some astrophotography.

I have finally decided to upgrade my lenses with the addition of the following:

• Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
• Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM
• Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM

I think these are good choices for my interests (comments welcomed).

What I am really struggling with is figuring our what filters to use with these lenses (I've never used filters before). I think I would want a UV filter for the 50mm, a polarizing filter for Sigma, and maybe a graduated neutral density filter for the 10-18mm. But to be honest, I am totally confused about what I should get. Any recommendations on the types of filters and maybe some specific models would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

DSLRs have builtin UV filters. You don't need an external UV filter for any of your lenses.

A polarizing filter reduces the light entering your camera. The magic is that the reduction is different for polarized light. A Polarizing filter can be used to minimize or enhance reflections. Some areas of the sky will have a lot of polarized light. You can use a polarizing filter to darken those areas of the sky, however you lose a stop of light everywhere else. If you don't want to lose that stop, you can darken or enhance the sky in post processing.

A graduated ND filter can be helpful if the sky is much darker than the ground, and the transition between the two matches the transition of your filter. My personal preference is to use a tripod and take a series of shots with bracketed exposure. That allows me to create a custom transition in post processing that matches the transition of the scene.

If I were in your position, I wouldn't bother with a UV or GND filters. I would use that money for a tripod. I might get the polarizing filter, depending on what mood I was in for post processing.

Yellowstone is a beautiful place. I would urge you to bring your 55-250 STM lens. It's not a bad lens, and the longer focal length will be nice.

I would also bring the 10-18mm. There are some beautiful wide vistas in the park. I would not get a polarizing filter for the 10-18. The polarization of skylight varies with the angle from the sun. With a wide angle lens, that polarization can noticeably vary across the frame. Many don't like the results of wide angle landscapes with a polarizing lens.