Filters and Hoods

kbrede · 11-29-2010, 08:25 AM

I recently purchased the K-X 18-55mm, 55-300mm kit. I'd like to get some polarising filters and graduated ND filters. Also, I've seen mention in a recent thread that purchasing a hood is a good idea.

So if you use a hood, can you also use filters at the same time? Is it recommended to use them together? I'm ignorant as to how these might work together.

Anyone have recommendations as to decent brands of filters?

Any other words of wisdom regarding this topic is welcome, before I start purchasing.

Thanks,
Kent

**blackcloudbrew** · 11-29-2010, 10:12 AM

There is a lot of info and opinions on filters on this site and elsewhere. My personal opinion / advice is that if you are going to get a polarizer get a good one. Cheap filters in general can and will degrade your images. I've dumped all of my UV filters for that reason. Good brands are Hoya, B+W, and (I think) Heliopan. I've recently upgraded my filters to Hoya HRT polarizers. They aren't cheap but they work very well. Check out B&H or Adorama stores online. Don't go cheap.

With your lenses, a polarizer will screw on the end of your lens and the lens hood (bayonet type mount) should fit on the lens with the filter inside the hood. I'm a believer in lens hoods too as they protect against lens flare.

Ratmagiclady · 11-29-2010, 10:32 AM

Yep, and the hoods for those lenses, you should find, have a little window in the bottom that you can open so that you can turn your polarizers or anything else that needs to rotate. Handy little feature, that.

Docrwm · 11-29-2010, 10:47 AM

You can get the hoods for about 30-40% on eBay that work well. In fact, I got one of the no-name-brand ones and later got a genuine Pentax hood but it came without the insert for the opening through which you move the polarizing filter, that Ratmagiclady mentioned above, but the insert from the no-name-brand one fit perfectly

The filters fit the threads on the inside of the front edge of the lens, the hoods slide into the track on the outside of the end of the lens because both kit lenses have bayonet mounts for the hoods. If you go to eBay for your hoods then just make sure you get these models:

18-55 =LH-RBA 52mm
55 - 300 =LH-RBG 58mm

jolepp · 11-29-2010, 11:31 AM

Here are lenstip tests on both kinds:

UV filters test - Introduction - Lenstip.com

Polarizing filters test - Introduction - Lenstip.com

For the CPL you might consider getting just one (58mm) and a 52-58mm step-up ring (might be a problem with the hood(s) though?)

Helen Oster · 11-30-2010, 02:10 AM

Originally posted by kbrede

I recently purchased the K-X 18-55mm, 55-300mm kit. I'd like to get some polarising filters and graduated ND filters. Also, I've seen mention in a recent thread that purchasing a hood is a good idea.

So if you use a hood, can you also use filters at the same time? Is it recommended to use them together? I'm ignorant as to how these might work together.

Anyone have recommendations as to decent brands of filters?

Any other words of wisdom regarding this topic is welcome, before I start purchasing.

Thanks,
Kent

I had a hunt around in the Adorama Learning Center for you, and came up with a few easy-to-read guides.

I hope they are useful!

Product Spotlight: Lens Hoods from Adorama Learning Center

BUYING GUIDE: Filter FAQ from Adorama Learning Center

BUYING GUIDE: Optical Filters from Adorama Learning Center

Do you still need a polarizing filter? Yes! from Adorama Learning Center

11-29-2010, 08:25 AM	#1
kbrede Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Nebraska Photos: Gallery Posts: 327	Filters and Hoods I recently purchased the K-X 18-55mm, 55-300mm kit. I'd like to get some polarising filters and graduated ND filters. Also, I've seen mention in a recent thread that purchasing a hood is a good idea. So if you use a hood, can you also use filters at the same time? Is it recommended to use them together? I'm ignorant as to how these might work together. Anyone have recommendations as to decent brands of filters? Any other words of wisdom regarding this topic is welcome, before I start purchasing. Thanks, Kent

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Original Pentax Hoods, lots of filters, remotes and a few lenses	Youngster	Sold Items	12	09-11-2009 11:37 PM
For Sale - Sold: Another Set of Filters and Hoods $5-$10	Youngster	Sold Items	5	08-15-2008 06:44 AM
For Sale - Sold: Various Filters and Hoods $5-$10	Youngster	Sold Items	2	08-02-2008 12:19 PM

11-29-2010, 10:12 AM	#2
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	There is a lot of info and opinions on filters on this site and elsewhere. My personal opinion / advice is that if you are going to get a polarizer get a good one. Cheap filters in general can and will degrade your images. I've dumped all of my UV filters for that reason. Good brands are Hoya, B+W, and (I think) Heliopan. I've recently upgraded my filters to Hoya HRT polarizers. They aren't cheap but they work very well. Check out B&H or Adorama stores online. Don't go cheap. With your lenses, a polarizer will screw on the end of your lens and the lens hood (bayonet type mount) should fit on the lens with the filter inside the hood. I'm a believer in lens hoods too as they protect against lens flare.

11-29-2010, 10:32 AM	#3
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Yep, and the hoods for those lenses, you should find, have a little window in the bottom that you can open so that you can turn your polarizers or anything else that needs to rotate. Handy little feature, that.

11-29-2010, 10:47 AM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	You can get the hoods for about 30-40% on eBay that work well. In fact, I got one of the no-name-brand ones and later got a genuine Pentax hood but it came without the insert for the opening through which you move the polarizing filter, that Ratmagiclady mentioned above, but the insert from the no-name-brand one fit perfectly The filters fit the threads on the inside of the front edge of the lens, the hoods slide into the track on the outside of the end of the lens because both kit lenses have bayonet mounts for the hoods. If you go to eBay for your hoods then just make sure you get these models: 18-55 =LH-RBA 52mm 55 - 300 =LH-RBG 58mm

11-29-2010, 11:31 AM	#5
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	Here are lenstip tests on both kinds: UV filters test - Introduction - Lenstip.com Polarizing filters test - Introduction - Lenstip.com For the CPL you might consider getting just one (58mm) and a 52-58mm step-up ring (might be a problem with the hood(s) though?)

11-30-2010, 02:10 AM	#6
Helen Oster Adorama Camera Representative Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New York Posts: 550	Originally posted by kbrede I recently purchased the K-X 18-55mm, 55-300mm kit. I'd like to get some polarising filters and graduated ND filters. Also, I've seen mention in a recent thread that purchasing a hood is a good idea. So if you use a hood, can you also use filters at the same time? Is it recommended to use them together? I'm ignorant as to how these might work together. Anyone have recommendations as to decent brands of filters? Any other words of wisdom regarding this topic is welcome, before I start purchasing. Thanks, Kent I had a hunt around in the Adorama Learning Center for you, and came up with a few easy-to-read guides. I hope they are useful! Product Spotlight: Lens Hoods from Adorama Learning Center BUYING GUIDE: Filter FAQ from Adorama Learning Center BUYING GUIDE: Optical Filters from Adorama Learning Center Do you still need a polarizing filter? Yes! from Adorama Learning Center