Lens filter?

doesw any body know what a lense filter is on cameras? Does a camera come with 1 already on it? What types r there?
What do they do?

* The lens filter is used to 1) protect the front element of the lens and 2) cut "haze" when shooting landscapes.
* Cameras do not come with filters
* There are many types, but only a few are applicable for use on digital cameras.
* UV and sky light filters mostly protect the front element of the lens. Polarizing filters are used to increase the separation between clouds and the sky as well as to reduce reflections on water and windows. ND (neutral density filters) are used to decrease the amount of light striking the film or sensor when adjusting the f/stop or shutter speed is not enough. Special effects filters like starburst, etc.

http://www.hoyafilter.com/products/hoya/...

I would not advise putting a filter on 'to protect the lens' a slight tap cracked one of mine a long time ago and scratched the lens coating. Result? A ruined lens when it would easily have survived the tap. I've never used one since for protection.

There are hundreds of filter types, but as Fhotoace has already said you don't need many with digital.

http://www.cokin.co.uk/pages/main.htm

Only those effecting exposure are needed (Polarizer, Graduated ND and ND) all the effects filter can be done better in post processing in programs such as Photoshop.

Chris

I think UV filter is a must. I never heard about anybody scratching up the lens with a broken filter before.. You going to get the lens dirty so many times (fingerprints, dust, sand), that it's much cheaper to get filter and clean that than scratch the coat off the lens with cleaning.. There are a lot of brand out there, You need to check what size do you need, which is depends on your lens. It's written on it.. I also suggest polarizer filter that makes sky bluer and gives a richer tone to landscapes.. Must have filter too.. This You only use in daytime. UV stays at all times.. I never had to replace lens or UV filter because of scratch, You have to be careful how you clean Your lens.. Brands: Hoya, Tiffen, or if you have the $$, look at B&W brand, I think thats the best.. I really saw some difference between my old nameless UV filter and B&W's and now I'm saving for they Circular Polarizer filter to replace my nameless polarizer filter..

Buy the best quality Haze/UV filter you can. Keep it on your lens at all times.

Next, buy a quality circular polarizer filter.

Heliopan, B+W, Singh-Ray, Hoya and Tiffen are all good brands.