Lens filters?

Kristen Is Calm

Kristen Is Calm

I don't caaaaaaare!
So because i'm so new to DSLR, I'm new to the accessories you can buy for it. I have some money but so little - $19 right now but looking at an online South African store, I can afford some things like a lens filter!

This one to be very specific - http://www.kalahari.com/Camera-Photo-Video/Hoya-HMC-UV-C-55mm-Filter_p_45826852#pdp_more_info or this one http://www.kalahari.com/Camera-Phot...a-Violet-Lens-Filter_p_48817459#pdp_more_info

I just need to know more about which cameras it fits and etc. I have a Nikon D3100 with a lens 18mm to 55mm.

Also, what exactly does a lens filter do? Will it help with film making?

Don't look at me like that, just answer the questions and nobody gets hurt. :O_o2:
 
A lens filter will distort the image being recorded so that it makes the end result have a look different than it normally would, an example being maybe the lens filter is purple which would add a darker purply look to your footage. Personally I would just invest in video editing software, as this effect (and more) can be created in there without the need of a filter.
 
I'm talking from experience here, and seriously, don't buy an ultraviolet lens filter, they do absolutely nothing. Back in the day with old cameras, the UV rays from the sun would show a violet glare because of the rays, and a UV filter got rid of this issue. Since digital cameras were invented this problem no longer exists. People will usually say 'it gets rid of haziness' but really, I've tested loads of them and to compare, it did nothing. A lot of other people have tested this too.

But of course, this is just 1 type of filter. They do different things depending on what kind. The main ones I find useful are the ND filter and the polarizer filter. The ND filter can bring down the light entering the camera: so you don't have to lower your shutter speed because of the filmmaking shutter speed rule: always have double shutter speed to your fps (unless it's a choppy chase scene, doubling shutter to fps allows the right amount of motion blur) and say your fps was 30, a 60 shutter speed lets in too much light so the ND filter helps with that in letting in less light. Polarizers can get rid of reflections and things, just search up tests of them on youtube. Just be sure you buy the right size of filter so it fits your lens, or you can buy an adapter instead :)
 
JTMulcahy said:
A lens filter will distort the image being recorded so that it makes the end result have a look different than it normally would, an example being maybe the lens filter is purple which would add a darker purply look to your footage. Personally I would just invest in video editing software, as this effect (and more) can be created in there without the need of a filter.
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Thanks for the advice - I actually just figured that because I had money, I should just buy something nice for my camera and I'm also bad at investing :( I'll look into software though! :)
brodielawrence said:
I'm talking from experience here, and seriously, don't buy an ultraviolet lens filter, they do absolutely nothing. Back in the day with old cameras, the UV rays from the sun would show a violet glare because of the rays, and a UV filter got rid of this issue. Since digital cameras were invented this problem no longer exists. People will usually say 'it gets rid of haziness' but really, I've tested loads of them and to compare, it did nothing. A lot of other people have tested this too.

But of course, this is just 1 type of filter. They do different things depending on what kind. The main ones I find useful are the ND filter and the polarizer filter. The ND filter can bring down the light entering the camera: so you don't have to lower your shutter speed because of the filmmaking shutter speed rule: always have double shutter speed to your fps (unless it's a choppy chase scene, doubling shutter to fps allows the right amount of motion blur) and say your fps was 30, a 60 shutter speed lets in too much light so the ND filter helps with that in letting in less light. Polarizers can get rid of reflections and things, just search up tests of them on youtube. Just be sure you buy the right size of filter so it fits your lens, or you can buy an adapter instead :)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the down-low! Seriously a lot of insight! Well, there is actually a polariser(http://www.kalahari.com/Camera-Photo-Video/Kenko-55mm-CPL-Circular-Polarizing-Lens-Filter_p_48817457) So this would be better? OR random idea, should I buy this tripod? http://www.kalahari.com/Camera-Photo-Video/Hama-Tripod-Star-61_p_49398586 I have neither so which one would be a better buy?
 
Kristen Is Calm said:
Thanks for the advice - I actually just figured that because I had money, I should just buy something nice for my camera and I'm also bad at investing :( I'll look into software though! :)

Thanks for the down-low! Seriously a lot of insight! Well, there is actually a polariser(http://www.kalahari.com/Camera-Photo-Video/Kenko-55mm-CPL-Circular-Polarizing-Lens-Filter_p_48817457) So this would be better? OR random idea, should I buy this tripod? http://www.kalahari.com/Camera-Photo-Video/Hama-Tripod-Star-61_p_49398586 I have neither so which one would be a better buy?
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you could get away without a tripod in some cases with a flat surface but it's harder to create an image of a polarizer lens so maybe the polarizer might be a better option but it really depends on your main priorities :)
 
brodielawrence said:
you could get away without a tripod in some cases with a flat surface but it's harder to create an image of a polarizer lens so maybe the polarizer might be a better option but it really depends on your main priorities :)
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This is incredibly difficult because most of my shots are moving buuuuuuuut i need that lens :'(
 
brodielawrence said:
or you could try and save up and buy them all in one :p
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I don't have that ability. Must. Spend. Money. NOOOOOOOOOOOW. :giggle:[DOUBLEPOST=1415964519,1415915014][/DOUBLEPOST]
brodielawrence said:
or you could try and save up and buy them all in one :p
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Decided to go with the lens filter because the tripod looks a bit too bulky to carry around freely. Will a 55mm size fit my 18mm-55mm lens? I see there are size references and blah blah
 
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