Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/08/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 8/4/2007 10:16:01 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, lug-request@leica-users.org writes: My question is - are people still using filters for colour balance? Or simply doing colour correction in photoshop? Thanks Gareth --------------------------------------------------------------- I have a general rule: Use PS only for cropping. Avoid the ersatz as much as possible. Traditional filters work with B&W digital if you can set your camera to B&W at exposure, as I do when using the Oly 5050. However, the Nikon D70 permits B&W only through PS and other post processing software. I don't know enough about the M8 to say whether it can be switched to B&W at exposure. If not, it should be. As for color, most system digitals can be corrected in camera. They have excellent white balance and other controls. I never had occasion to warm up or cool down an image in digital color. A number of my friends regularly do that in PS so the viewer hardly notices it. You can miss a lot of good shots taking time to change filters. And they don't do a fine lens any good. The only filter I use on any lens is the UV -- mostly to protect the front element from crud and scratches. I order a first rate UV filter whenever I buy a new lens. I have a great set of B&W Leitz filters for my Elmars. The yellow and green are my favorites. When I want to get arty, I use a red filter. But you gotta factor them in when using a film M. Rule of thumb is that they lighten their own color and tend to darken the others. I haven't used filters for a long while, so I may be fuzzy on the info. Kodak used to publish small guides that actually incorporated miniature plastic filters so you could preview their effects visually. Best, Bob ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour