Cokin Photographic Filters

The #1 filter ANY photographer should have is a circular polarizer. That is THE must have filter for all photographers. As for other filters, it really depends on what type of photography you want to shoot. I have a a circular polarizer, an infrared filter, close-up filters, gradual color filters, a red filter, a star cross filter, and tomorrow I'm getting myself a ND filter. I love all of my filters and use them often! Some of them are screw on round filters, others are Cokin square filters.

No matter what kind of photography you are interested in, the delicate front element of your lens needs protection. Fit either a UV or Skylight filter and leave it in place, even when using other filters. The principal use (other than protection) of the UV is to reduce the softening effect of ultra violet light and add clarity, especially to distant scenes, while the Skylight filter's light pink tint may make pictures a little warmer (UV is colourless). A Polarizing filter is the only filter whose effects cannot be duplicated in software. It can make colours richer, reduce the impact of glare and reduce or remove reflections on non-metallic surfaces. If your ens is autofocus (which recent lens isn't??) then be sure to buy a circular polariser, not the linear type. You will also find that a neutral density filter is very handy. It reduces the light entering the sensor/film, allowing you more flexibility with shutter speeds/aperture settings. Cokin make good filters, but so do Pentax, B+W, Hoya, Lee, Kenko and others (The Lee and B+W are very pricey, but have the quality reputation to back the price). Make absolutely sure you buy multi-coated filters!!!