Filters for taking koi(carp)?

mickey · 10-18-2009, 08:19 AM

Evening all.
Can someone give me a bit of advice for what filters might be the best for really getting the most out of taking some pics of some koi(carp)?
I was in a camera shop the other day checking out some polarizing filters, but there was a bit of choice at various prices.
I wasn't sure which might be the best.

Some pics that I took last year are below.
The blue carp was taken in the shade, and the water is very cloudy looking and pale.
The orange carp was in sunlight. Water is clear, but lots of reflections and ripples.
I didn't have a filter attatched at that time.

Any advice would be appreciated on how to get the most from these shots.

Cheers.

omega leader · 10-18-2009, 08:54 AM

I'm a big fan of the Tiffen thin polarizer, I think you can get a 77mm for about $100. I think it is coated or multicoated (I have two versions), but to be honest have never noticed much difference.

*mdave13* · 10-18-2009, 10:56 AM

Any Circular polarizer will improve your images by cutting out the light reflected by the water. Best to use on an internal focused lens, i.e. one whose front element does not rotate when focusing, as you need to set the orientation of the polarizer (it rotates). A linear polarizer will mess up the exposure on most digital SLRs. Good Luck. By the way, I prefer the Hoya filters, at least HMC grade. There is no substitute for quality.