The more I read the more I figure out that I know nothing about photography. With my old digital camera, I didn’t have to worry about lenses because I couldn’t change them out. I never got around to getting a tripod (I WILL get one eventually) and I never worried about filters.
I’ve read a polarizing filter should pretty much be in any collection and a yellow filter is a must if you’re shooting with the intent of converting the photo to black and white.
I’ve read here that you should just buy the largest common size filter (he recommended 77mm?), but what the holy hell does that mean? I only have one lens. The next lens I get is likely going to be a 55-200mm. I really doubt I’ll have any other additional lenses in my collection any time soon, since I’ll want to learn to use what I have first to avoid my complete mental breakdown.
So does that mean I should buy a 77mm filter and a step up ring for my 18-55mm lens? And how do I figure out what size filter a lens is threaded for in the first place? I’ve read through both my camera and lens manual, but I must have missed that somewhere.
Have I mentioned how stupid I feel? I can’t find any good beginners photography communities online and I’m really too embarassed to ask anyone who knows what they’re doing.
Basically, I’m overwhelmed with all the options. Not just with filters, but with EVERYTHING. There are TOO many options. I just don’t know where to go to get the answers I need.
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Here’s the deal. Check and see if the Nikon lenses have the same filter size. If they do, just buy that size.
To be honest, I have lenses with a maximum filter size of 62mm (77mm is common on professional grade lenses, which um, are more than I’m willing to spend). I have UV filters on all of my lenses, and take them off to change them out. To be fair, I’m lucky that most of my lenses have the same size filters.
Also? if you’re looking for a place to ask questions, I run a woman only photography group at http://www.womanphotographer.org/forum/
Okay, after a little searching. The 18-55mm lens takes a 52 mm filter and the 55-200mm lens takes a 52mm. So save yourself the hassle, and just buy 52mm filters. If (when) you decide to buy new lens, you can evaluate your filter choices then. You may find that you don’t use certain filters, and won’t need to buy them in a different size.
I always buy a circular polarizer aka really the most expensive filter, because I shoot a LOT of blue sky *as you know lol*.
Really, buy the filters as you need them, get the 52mm, it’s pointless to get the largest size to only use stepdown rings which is a hassle and can degrade quality of the photo *in my opinion*
i say uv is completely personal preference. i have one on mine because i’m an absolute clutz and could scratch up my lense at any second. but some people swear that they make your pictures look bad (i haven’t really noticed much of a difference). so maybe get one (they’re pretty cheap) and try both with and without. if you don’t see a difference, then stick with the uv filter.
*hugs* You’re not stupid at all, it’s just a lot to process.
Nikon lenses are pretty standard at 52mm so go with that. A lot of what you read is for film, not digital. So unless they’re specifically talking digital, ignore. And the other advice can vary depending on your subject(s).
If you don’t have Photoshop or PSP get Photoshop Elements.
Luminous Landscape is a GREAT site:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/
Oh yeah, and Bryan Peterson’s books are great. Understanding Exposure will be invaluable since the D70/s and D50 appear to underexpose.
Thanks. That helps quite a bit.
Thanks so much! Your sky photos are always so… dramatic. Like the sky is telling a story.
I’ll have to read up on circular polarizers. I’ve heard a lot of good things about them, but don’t really know too much.
Yeah, I’ve looked at prices and they’re worth at least trying.
Thank you! To be honest, I usually have a hard time reading materials on techniques. I’m not sure why it is, but the information just doesn’t stick until I have lots and lots of practice. I read the D50 manual through and through and played with all the settings last week when I got it. Now, I can’t do much more than adjust the flash settings.
I know it’s going to take a LOT of time and practice to start understanding the science and art behind photography. I just tend to get so frustrated with myself it makes learning difficult.
Oh, me too! But diagrams and actual photos are great- that way I can try to duplicate/re-create aqnd compare.
If you want to get into child photography, ILP (ilovephotography.com) is a great resource too. Warning- the people in the JSO forum will make you want to give up photography, because they are SO good and are like, “I don’t know if I’m ready to go pro yet..” ?!!
I still have a UV filter on my slr, which never comes out of it’s case anymore. It’s a pity olympus don’t make a digital body to fit my lenses! Or maybe they do. I never actually looked!
OMG Yes, I have Understanding Exposure and Learning to See Creatively and I learned SO much from those two books alone.