okay, so i've mentioned already that i got the panasonic lumix dmc-fz30...a pretty darn good prosumer digital camera...so, my question is this: should i bother with filters?

i know filters serve two major purposes: providing some sort of filter (UV and polarizing seem to be the two major filters for amateurs), and protecting the lens

i am actually a bit more concerned with protecting the leica lens than filtering out anything (as the pictures i've taken so far are actually quite good IMO...but if i get the added benefit of having more vibrant and defined photos, then i will (of course) be quite happy

i know nothing about filters, but i've found these two, which seem to be well worth it:

tiffen - 3-piece filter kit (UV, circular polarizer, 812 color warming - for fluorescent scenes, i assume) - $30.94 with free shipping

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004ZCKY/sr=1-11/qid=1136785231/ref=sr_1_11/102-3659155-4985712?%5Fencoding=UTF8

sunpak - UV and circular polarizer twin pack - $14.99 + 5.95 S&H

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009W3UE/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-3659155-4985712?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance&n=502394

again, i know nothing about filters, brands, or quality...and i'm not sure i even need filters (other than the protective function i mentioned)...suggestions? comments? sarcasm? thanks!

5/6/2006 5:15:11 PM

tiffen usually has pretty good filters, a uv filter is nice, but not necessary. A polarizer is very nice to get deep blue skies (if you use it right) and can reduce glare off of water or other reflective objects. The 812 filter is for giving a late afternoon warmth to a photo. I don't think it is needed at all any more, photoshop's photo filters are a better option because you can undo them and they are variable. The filter can also mess with the camera's auto white balance and negate having the filter there in the first place.

5/6/2006 5:23:17 PM

^ none of the filters are really need anymore, or was that just in reference to the 812? and the UV and polarizer can mess with the camera's white balance?

5/6/2006 5:28:02 PM

sorry, i meant the 812 isn't needed and can mess with white balance. a uv filter and a polarizer are nice to have in certain situations, I only use a uv on the front of my real expensive lenses that have the glass at the very front of the lens body.

5/6/2006 5:33:32 PM

know anything about sunpak? i mean, the tiffen seems to be a good value, but if i don't need the 812, i could save 10 bucks

amazon has a 55mm tiffen uv filter for $5.50, but the circular polarizer is something like $30

5/6/2006 5:38:41 PM

sunpak isn't going to be bad, necessarily, but tiffen should have better glass. circular polarizers are expensive usually. Since this is just a point and shoot and you probably aren't going to be making big prints, you shouldn't see any real difference between the two.

5/6/2006 5:48:40 PM

UV filters serve no real purpose other than protecting your lens.

Polarizers are nice when you're shooting at a reflective surface. A

nykind of colored filter will help with special effects or for enhancing certain landscapes. Since it's digital, you can make those same edits in photoshop.

A neutral density filter is nice if you're shooting in real bright locations.

As for buying filters, find a buddy who works at a camera shop. The markup on filters is between 400 to 800%. It's stupid really.

5/6/2006 7:08:55 PM

reading online and finding that people SOMETIMES have problems with the fact that neither the sunpaks or the tiffens are multicoated...some people mention flare with both of them...anyone have any experience with uncoated filters and picture issues?

5/6/2006 8:29:01 PM

5/6/2006 9:19:26 PM

You can create the effects of most filters in photoshop. I use a UV filter just to protect my lens and a circular polarizer because photoshop can't do what it does.

5/6/2006 10:09:23 PM

My dad uses those sunpak filters. They work fine on his camera and are pretty amazing for the price. The only bad thing about them is that they won't fit over your lens if your threaded section is set back from the edge too much.

5/6/2006 10:44:33 PM

my thread is pretty close the lens itself (though i suppose what i consider close is subjective)...as i mentioned to a few other users, i have a lens hood as well, which (from my understanding) will help reduce flare as well

thanks for the advice, everyone, i appreciate it

5/6/2006 10:48:42 PM