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gokenin · 12-14-2009, 08:23 PM

When it comes to B&W pictures what function does adding colored filters to your lens perform? I was browsing through the various color setups for my K200 and the B&W option comes with diffrent filters ( i know its not real B&W if its digital) and was just wondering the advantages of one color filter over another?

keyser · 12-14-2009, 08:29 PM

a colour filter stops certain wavelengths of light, making some colours look lighter or darker (in comparison to each other). A red filter makes a blue sky look darker for instance.

k100d · 12-14-2009, 09:08 PM

medium yellow is the standard, it darkens hazy skies a bit

SteveM · 12-14-2009, 09:11 PM

I used to use a red quite often, as keyser pointed out, it can darken the sky and make the cloud cover look dramatic. I have a set coming from Frank....so I'll be testing it out. Yellow is apparently great for snow or long distant shots as it gets rid of haze. Green blocks other colors from foliage shots...

We'll see...

J.Scott · 12-15-2009, 02:38 AM

Originally posted by gokenin

When it comes to B&W pictures what function does adding colored filters to your lens perform? I was browsing through the various color setups for my K200 and the B&W option comes with diffrent filters ( i know its not real B&W if its digital) and was just wondering the advantages of one color filter over another?

Check out the Cokin link here.

By clicking on the various colours you can see with and without pictures.
I hope this is helpful.

Some of them just make it look like your white balance has gone wonky.
I use a red filter (B&W film) on bright, clear days to give more contrast and definition.

Wheatfield · 12-15-2009, 06:18 AM

Originally posted by gokenin

When it comes to B&W pictures what function does adding colored filters to your lens perform? I was browsing through the various color setups for my K200 and the B&W option comes with diffrent filters ( i know its not real B&W if its digital) and was just wondering the advantages of one color filter over another?

Filters brighten their own colour, darken colour opposite on the colour wheel.

**gofour3** · 12-15-2009, 02:41 PM

The popular ones are yellow, orange & red, with various ones in between. Example: light, medium and dark yellow. I use them to emphasize clouds and to remove haze. The darker the filter the more pronounced affect. A Polarizer also works the same with B&W film as with colour.

A combination of a Polarizer & Red filter will give your cloudy skies a “Horror Movie” effect.

Phil.

12-14-2009, 08:23 PM	#1
gokenin Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lowell,ma Posts: 1,899	color filters When it comes to B&W pictures what function does adding colored filters to your lens perform? I was browsing through the various color setups for my K200 and the B&W option comes with diffrent filters ( i know its not real B&W if its digital) and was just wondering the advantages of one color filter over another?

12-15-2009, 02:38 AM	#5
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by gokenin When it comes to B&W pictures what function does adding colored filters to your lens perform? I was browsing through the various color setups for my K200 and the B&W option comes with diffrent filters ( i know its not real B&W if its digital) and was just wondering the advantages of one color filter over another? Check out the Cokin link here. By clicking on the various colours you can see with and without pictures. I hope this is helpful. Some of them just make it look like your white balance has gone wonky. I use a red filter (B&W film) on bright, clear days to give more contrast and definition. Last edited by J.Scott; 12-15-2009 at 07:27 AM.

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12-14-2009, 08:29 PM	#2
keyser Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tsawwassen, BC Posts: 376	a colour filter stops certain wavelengths of light, making some colours look lighter or darker (in comparison to each other). A red filter makes a blue sky look darker for instance.

12-14-2009, 09:08 PM	#3
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	medium yellow is the standard, it darkens hazy skies a bit

12-14-2009, 09:11 PM	#4
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	I used to use a red quite often, as keyser pointed out, it can darken the sky and make the cloud cover look dramatic. I have a set coming from Frank....so I'll be testing it out. Yellow is apparently great for snow or long distant shots as it gets rid of haze. Green blocks other colors from foliage shots... We'll see...

12-15-2009, 06:18 AM	#6
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,991	Originally posted by gokenin When it comes to B&W pictures what function does adding colored filters to your lens perform? I was browsing through the various color setups for my K200 and the B&W option comes with diffrent filters ( i know its not real B&W if its digital) and was just wondering the advantages of one color filter over another? Filters brighten their own colour, darken colour opposite on the colour wheel.

12-15-2009, 02:41 PM	#7
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,093	The popular ones are yellow, orange & red, with various ones in between. Example: light, medium and dark yellow. I use them to emphasize clouds and to remove haze. The darker the filter the more pronounced affect. A Polarizer also works the same with B&W film as with colour. A combination of a Polarizer & Red filter will give your cloudy skies a “Horror Movie” effect. Phil.

color filters

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