What are good filters to have?

Question

I like to try new things with my photos so i want to try to expierment with some filters. So what filters should I get and what affects would the have on my photos?

Answer 1

You didn't say if you're using film or digital.  You don't really need many for digital.  A circular polarizing filter is one of the few.  It can really improve an image.  Cuts through haze, brings out colors, deepens skies, not to mention cuts down on reflections on shiny surfaces.  Neutral density filters are good for reducing light if you like doing waterfall pictures where the water looks silky smooth.  Things like star filters and color filters can be easily replicated in an imaging program.

Now for film, black and white would require a variety of colors of filters for different purposes in lightening or darkening a certain color.

For color, any special effects filters like stars, soft focus, etc.  Color correction filters for warming up or cooling down a scene, or to reduce the garish greens from fluorescent lighting.  If you use digital, you can just shift your white balance instead.

Infrared filters for use with infrared film will turn your greens white and give dark skies.

UV haze filters cut down on haze in landscapes.

And many more!

Answer 2

UV filter

Polarizing Filter

And Neutral Density Filters

Also any special effects filters you might want.such as a star burst filter,multiple image filter, and there are many others.  I would say the basic filters to have are the uv, polarizer, and nd filters.  Then build from there as you need.  

Answer 3

UV and Polarizing filters

Answer 4

I'd recommend a UV filter. What it does is get rid of atmospheric 'haze'. If you want your outdoor photographs to look sharper, it's good to have.

Also, I like to use a polarizing filter. You can get one that is adjustable. That is more or less polarization. Say you take a photograph with water in it, a lake or river etc. If you want you can have a lot of silver surface shine, or see right through the water. It also increases the intensity of blues and greens. Takes glare off of glass etc.  

Answer 5

Most folks here have hit on the 3 main ones

A UV haze or skylight 1 A for each lens you own. Not as much to the blue haze they cut out as for protection for the lens. Better to break a 20 dollar filter than a few hundred dollar lens

A circular polarizer for digital as a linear one will play merry hob with your autofocus and metering.

A neutral density and maybe a graduated neutral density filter

Others are neat to play with I have a few for the cokin system but they are really not neceaasry