Upgrading T4i lenses, but confused about filters

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!

DeathByJets wrote:

Hi there. New to the forums here.

Big welcome to the Forum!

I have had my T4i for about 4 years now

Loved the T4i.

and have been using some basic lenses:

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

Lots of bang for the buck there.

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

What an adventure.  Check out the best times for the locations you're shooting.

maybe even some astrophotography.

I'm guessing wide-field astro.  Take a nice powerful flashlight along too (light painting).

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).

Great choices indeed.

I think I would want a UV filter for the 50mm

Unless you're in some very adverse environments, skip the u/v and protective filters.  Get lens hoods for all your lenses though!

a polarizing filter for Sigma

Get the size to fit your largest lens, then adapters for the rest.  B+W is my brand of choice.

and maybe a graduated neutral density filter for the 10-18mm.

Well generally you'd want a GND that you can move up and down to match the horizon.  That means a filter holder (like Lee or Cokin), and not the circular ones.

Here's some info that might be helpful...

Guide to ND filters

And don't forget to try "Handheld Night Scene Mode" and "Multi Shot Noise Reduction."  Both can come in very handy if you don't have the tripod handy.  BTW, get yourself a remote release (or use the 10-second self timer).  And enable "Long Exposure NR" for those night shots.

Happy shooting!

R2

Generally, if you are confused about filters, do not purchase any.

You can make a great photograph without a filter, however you can't make a great photograph without outstanding light.

Here is a recent natural light photograph, there is no filter in front of the lens and no filter has been added after taking the shot.

Here is a nice article by Michael Frye , legendary landscape shooter which may help you on your journey to studying natural light.

Dave B

Denville, NJ

http://facebook.com/daveblinderphotography

http://instagram.com/daveblinder

If you could get only one lens, I love the Canon EF-S 10-22mm.

The Canon 50mm 1.8 is also a great for the price.

I don't think the 50mm need any filter, unless you need a very specific effect, but then you should know exactly what to use. And lens hood is "included" with this lens

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.