[Snapper_Kev]

This is my first post since my introduction so please be gentle - I'm still learning

I will receive my new Nikon D40x in a few days which is being supplied with the kit 28-50 Lens...

I will be looking into a few new lenses once I get a hang of the 40x - probably a 50 - 200zoom & wide angle... Just for those outdoor landscapes. But they are a fair way down the track.

In the meantime I plan to make the most of the supplied lense but also want to ensure I protect it from accidental scratches (and providing adequate filtration).

I have read a few good articles on pixalo regarding filters. The bulk of the photo's I take take are outdoors (combination of portrait & landsacpe) mostly in bright light with reflective water in the background.

I'm thinking I will need a UV & Polarising filter just to get me started...

So to the questions!

I see a number of different brands advertised on the likes of eBay: Namely Hoya, Massa and a few "No Name" brands of filters.

Is there a brand of filter that I should be looking for as a better quality or more importantly is there a brand I should steer clear off ?

Given the nature of the subject material I work with, do these two filters I suggested give me adequate filtration or should I be looking for something else?

Off course any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated...

Cheers,

Kev

[Markulous]

I'm not up on knowledge of filters - but for my photography it's totally unecessary. I only use UV and Polariser and whilst there are fairly significant differences between "good" and "not so good" (material, coatings and thickness) the only thing I ensured is that it's a circular polariser (linear ones don't work too well with dSLRs)!

So, I'd recommend UV and Circular Polariser - Hoya's as good a make as any (and what I use!). Potentially, you might want to get something like ND Grads in the future (I'm thinking for your sunrise/sets)

[Dave Canon]

Not everyone uses filters to physically protect the lens. I used to but in 30 Years of photography have never scratched a lens or filter so I no longer bother. When not in immediate use I keep the lens cap on. You may need a circular polarising filter for some shots. You do not need a UV filter on a DSLR but, if you do decide to use one for physical protection, then you do need a good quality glass multi-coated filter such as Hoya.

[KenCo]

Digital cameras come with there own in built uv filter, so all an additional uv filter will offer is protection.....still a good idea and saves any damage to the front glass of your lens. As for makes/brands the better names are (in no particular order) B+W, Heliopan, Tiffen, Singh-Ray and Lee....These can be expensive BUT depending on what you really want and how much you want to spend, you won't go wrong with any of these. Next you have Hi-tech, coking pro and hoya pro etc these are a little cheaper (although not a lot) I bought a Lee holder with Hi-tech filters (3 nd grads & 3 nd's) for a little over £200....The cheaper you go the more likely you will get colour casts etc, although they do the job intended but at a cost. ....especially with the cheaper makes you may notice image degradation....having a quality lens and putting a cheap filter in front will compromise the image and the more filters you wish to use together the more it will effect the outcome. If you only want to have a play with filters just go for the cheaper cokin, then when you know what you really want you could invest in a good set. I'd also consider the slot in type, rather than the screw on type (depending) this way you will only need to purchase the adapter rings for your different size lenses rather than having to buy different size filters.
For landscapes it would be a good idea to get a set of nd grads these will reduce the light in the sky enabling a better exposure for foreground. Slowing shutter speeds for the milky water effect you will need a set of nd's (neutral density) and a cp will reduce reflections and or enhance the blue of the sky...I priced a Lee or Hi-tech cp a while ago and it was about a £100, think I will have to wait a little longer!
HTH.
Ken.

[Snapper_Kev]

Thanks for the feedback everyone...

I purchased a HOYA Pro Circular Polarising...

I'll let you know what I think when it arrives!