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There are many threads on these already. Here is a quick recap:
UV filter: Don't use it on digital, will only reduce IQ and doesn't do anything positive (sensor isn't sensitive to UV, but film can be). But it can protect front element from fingerprints or dust, so some people use it as a "protection filter" - but it is not very strong and won't protect your lens from impact. Oh, some people say a strong UV filter can reduce purple fringing, but I haven't seen any conclusive tests.
C-PL filter: Polarizing filter, polarizer, circular polarizer, polfilter.. all of these describe the same basic filter. They come in Linear or Circular variety - most people will tell you that for digital you need a circular, though some say liner doesn't cause any problems and is usually cheaper. Make sure you buy a good one, or it will reduce IQ (might not even be a true polarizer in some cases). This affects the light and blocks our some of it. There are many good tutorials on this online. Basically, this is used to reduce/intensify reflections (in glass, water, leaves, windows) and to make the sky darker. It can help with contrast.
ND filter: These darken the image. This is useful for certain techniques, but its pretty advanced. The most basic use is using a variable ND filter to darken the scene
Other filters have some sort of effect, like they can change the starburst of lights, or they can change the colour of the scene, or make the scene softer. You don't need any of these, if you will need one, you will know and can then go find one. Colour filters used to be used to compensate for white balance, today you can easily do that in-camera or in post processing if you shoot raw.
What kind of filters to use! Most people use screw-on filters. Each lens has a filter thread at the end, of a certain size. You can use step-up or step-down rings to put different sized filters on different lenses, but you can usually find filters for all the common lens sizes. There are also other types of filters, which have their own mount. These are usually square and very expensive. Again, if you will need one of these, you will know.
To begin, buy a lens hood, it will probably be more useful than a filter. Maybe try a polarizer if you take photos of landscapes or flowers.
Last edited by Na Horuk; 01-21-2013 at 12:00 PM.
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Originally posted by Na Horuk 
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