Most useful filters.

[onthejazz]

I have been looking at buying a few filters for my kit lens. However, there just seems so many to choose from!! I will be both shooting outdoors and inside with 5K lighting.

Which filters would you recommend I buy? Which ones have you guys found most useful?

 

[deltoidjohn]

A Varaible ND and a circular polariser are about all you'll ever need. Maybe a UV filter as well if you're concerned about keeping the lens clean in dusty conditions.

These days all other filters - softening, vignettes, colour tints, graduations, etc can be replicated in post with more control and better quality.

Keep in mind any extra glass you put in front of your lens is going to result in some decrease in image quality whether that means softening the image, less contrast or saturation, lens flare, ghosting, light loss, etc. So make sure you know when to use a filter and when to avoid it.

 

[DaLiV]

normal complectation:
- UV/protector - simple protection for main lenses (not needed if your lens is cheaper than filter )
- 2 polarizers or vary-ND (that is constructively done on 2 polarizers) /ND depends on brightness of environment, and needed shutter speeds; or for needs of polarized light cut off /
- ND gradient (that is quite usable when shoot landscape against to sun, better use for correction at recording stage, as correction in postproduction of partially over/underexposed scenes is harder /as example overexposed sky will go to white and no detail there/)

Any other only if you want create effects on recording stage...