I've been looking to buy some filters for the past few months and I think I'm finally going to get around to it soon.

What sort of filters should I get to start off?

I guess I will be only using these on a 62 mm diameter lens, so they can all be the same size. I use the same lens for all types of conditions since I can go from wide angle to telephoto zoom in a flash.

This post was edited by kratos on Mar 9 2010 08:10pm

Circular polarizer and Neutral density filters for starters

And in what sort of situation would those be necessary or useful?

Circular polarizer for reducing glare off non-metallic surface such as glass and water. Also bringing out the blue in sky or making a rainbow more vibrant etc.

Neutral density filter for reducing light into the camera to create special effects or graduated filters for help with sunset/ sunrise photos.

Those are just a few uses. Obviously there are more

This post was edited by Eek on Mar 9 2010 09:05pm

Yeah, I have a catalog from BH Photo Video and there is a crap load of filters, which is mostly why I asked.

Well I plan on getting about 3-5 different filters soon, unless I actually do purchase a large or medium format, so I'll get the circular polarizer, a neutral density filter, and at least 1 graduated filter so far.

This post was edited by kratos on Mar 9 2010 09:11pm

I find it easier to buy the biggest filter size for my lenses (77mm) and then use step down rings. That way, you don't have to stock all different sizes of filters.

But that's if you're willing to go without the hood. : /

This is the main reason you should be using filters.

Also completes weather sealing on some lenses.

correct me if I am wrong but I think there are only two Canon lenses that require a filter to complete weather sealing, EF 50 f/1.2L and EF 17-40L

If nobody has mentioned this before. Try to avoid those very cheap filters at all cost because they actually give some really bad distortions and degrade image quality severely. I remember seeing photos taken with a crappy CPL filter attached and it actually made the whole image purple lol

This post was edited by Futurama on Mar 10 2010 12:57am