Filters for Canon point/shoot camera?

[TigerMike]

Hi all,

I'm trying to find some decent, low cost, filters for my Canon A95 and looking for some input. I honestly haven't found too much, and I know some of you have tried filters for these cameras (or their updated brothers, i.e. newer A-series cameras). Any suggestions out there for filters, primarily polarizing, UV, and maybe diffuser?

Here's what I've located so far after somewhat extensive searching:

1) Digital Concepts from South Bay Camera -- http://cgi.ebay.com/3pc-PRO-Filter-K...QQcmdZViewItem

2) Opteka -- http://cgi.ebay.com/Filter-Kit-HD-fo...QQcmdZViewItem

3) Fotodiox -- http://cgi.ebay.com/Tube-Hood-Filter...QQcmdZViewItem


I know these seem cheap, but it's about all I've found for these cameras. Any help is greatly appreciated. So, far I'm leaning toward the Fotodiox, but I've seen mixed reviews on their stuff.

Thanks,

Mike

[GMCloud27]

TigerMike,

Sorry I didn't see this post earlier or I would have gotton to you sooner on this. I did a little research on your model and you will need a lens adaptor ring before adding a filter. I know Johnny may also tune in on more help (also another great Photo guy here) but the adaptor ring which can be purchased from any manufacturer really (just a cheap plastic ring) will allow the access for a 52mm filter. The ring from Canon can be purchased from anywhere including Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...355159?ie=UTF8

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ist&sku=300531

Regarding filters...

I went through Filter hell because I started off going extremely cheap and then worked my way up eventually ending up with the best filters you can get (B+W F-Pro). Regardless of price, these are the major manufacturers to stick with: Hoya, Nikon, B+W, Helopian, or Tiffen. B+W and Helopians are the most expensive filters out there followed by Nikon, then Tiffen, then Hoya. Opteka is like buying a Geo, they're umm, well...cheap... and it's important to buy something at least decent to not make your images worse with a filter than without one.

Since you mentioned a good, low-cost filter, stick with Hoya! They're decent filters and for an fyi, Quantaray (sold at Ritz Camera stores) is currently the private label for Hoya supposedly (used to be Cokin and they're POS filters). Hoya can also be purchased on eBay for close to nothing. Promaster filters are also supposedly private labels for Hoya (I own a 58 mm that's just sitting in its case wishing I could return it/sell it but I'd make probably 5.00 off it...)

A great site that has some of the best prices in filters IMHO is:

http://camerafilters.net/shopsite_sc...tml/index.html

They're selection and pricing is a tad better than some of the other top filter sites out there and they have Hoya's there too.

Hope this helps a little for ya! If you're interested in specific details of the filters, feel free to PM myself or post and I'll do my best to describe each.

Cheers,
GMCloud

[GMCloud27]

You may want to take a look at these auctions for the ring; they all seem to be the silver (matching) off-brand type but they'll do the job:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-Powershot-...QQcmdZViewItem (Hong Kong though)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tube-Adapter-for...QQcmdZViewItem

(Fotodigix adaptor)

http://cgi.ebay.com/52mm-Lens-Adapte...QQcmdZViewItem

(Flatrate 15.00 OTD)

[TigerMike]

Wow, GMCloud! Don't know what to say...except a sincere thank you for the detailed response and help.

I knew the ones I was looking at were cheap (in price and quality), but you really put in in perspective for me with the good car comparison you made, something I am much better at understanding.

Some of those quality brands (B&W, Hoya, Tiffen, etc) that you listed I actually recognize through some of my research and reading on the subject, but what I was still left wondering was, are they available for a camera like mine, which requires that tube adapter? I was never able to find any of those better filters that would work with that tube adapter, unless I am just flat missing them. Or, are those better brands made for SLR only?

Thanks again for your help and effort, it is very much appreciated.

[GMCloud27]

No problem at all

The tube adaptor allows you to place on any 52mm filter with front threads (all of them have them) therefore you're able to "open up" to the world of pro/good filters. The bundles you saw on ebay are just the tube plus their own filters and you have to wonder: ~32.00+6.00s/h for a kit of a adapter, mini-tripod, CP filter, UV filter, hood, and if I remember right, a MC filter too or maybe it was a ND filter is rediculously cheap considering just a CP filter alone can run you up to 180.00; tube is say 10-15, UV filter is about 15.00, MC is about 25-30, hood is about 15-25.00, mini-tripod is about 10-20.00; you can see that there is an obvious question of whether the quality of that kit is anything decent and my bets are noway near the optical quality of a normal good filter.

Terms of Branding (This is actually pretty accurate in terms of reliabilty, build quality, and price bracket)

Hoya is about equal to Lexus IS350
Tiffen to Infiniti G35
Cokin to a Chevy Impala
B+W Porsche Carerra
Helopian BMW 7-Series
Nikon Mercedes S-Class
Optika Geo Prism
Canon Toyota Matrix

Thought you'd enjoy the car terms

[GMCloud27]

For an example of products you can use:

http://camerafilters.net/shopsite_sc...7&function=add

$32.85 for a standard CP Filter
$64.35 for the HMC CP Filter (Model Up)
$97.35 for the Pro-1 CP Filter

As you can see, just a CP filter can go up in price dramatically; all of these are 52mm filters that screw on to the tube adapter

[White95Max]

I have a Canon S2 IS with UV filter, polarizer, ND8, and +1/+2/+4/+10 macro filters. I got my lens adapter from www.lensmateonline.com, and I believe they carry adapters for the A85 as well. I got my filters from Lensmate, www.Bhphotovideo.com, or www.2filters.com.