Using Digital Cameras with Filters

Folks, ive got the Panasonic FZ7 camera with a 52mm thread.
Im looking to pick up a set of UV & Polarizing filters for it. Hoya seem to be highly recommended, however Ive looked on the net and it seems to say that multicoated lenses are required for digi cams. Having looked in a variety of places, although i do find some which say multicoated, a lot of places such as amazon just say Hoya Polarising filter & uv filter. Can anyone shed any light on the subject?

Originally Posted by robchester

Can anyone shed any light on the subject?

Like the pun! And yes, I can.
As far as I know, a Hoya polarizing filter is a Hoya polarizing filter, and you're right in thinking they're one of the best makes. I do semi pro photography and use them with great results.
As I remember, I bought mine from ebay, just make sure the seller has a lot of positive feedback and you'll be fine.

Multi coated filters are at there best when shooting into the light or where there will be plenty of reflections, that is anything that can produce flare. Having said that they also reduce any reduction in image contrast which is argiuabely less of an issue with digital cameras anyway as the image can be manipulated to increase or decrease contrast after the shot has ben taken using the PC software.

UV filters are generally used to protect the end lens element from damage however a polarising filter has an image effect to reduce reflections on non metallic surfaces. They are also ised (to arguable effect) to darken the blue sky. The latter can be reproduced in software for digital images.

For me another type of filter is very useful and that a grey graduated filter for when shooting landscapes to keep sky detail. If however you shoot using a tripod you can take two images, one exposed for the sky and the other for the forground and 'add' them together in software such as Photoshop.

Oh and finally be careful about using one filter screwed into the back of another, not only can this cause vignetting (darkening of the corners) but can also be a PIA to get the sods apart afterwards.

Good luck!

come up trumps there gents, The ND graded filter was also something i looked at (Cokin P Series) however think ill go with UV & PL at this time, just to see what I can do with them and what kind of shots i get.

The only thing that concerns me is that there are just loads of places (Ebay particularly) that dont specify whether theyre Multicoated or not. Hoya do budget and HMC filters but most of the time it doesnt specify which ones they are.

Originally Posted by robchester

Can anyone shed any light on the subject?

no, but check your flash is on, that should do the trick




(someone had to, didnt they ?)