jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Hey guys, I just picked up a used Nikkor 55-200mm lens last night and it came with a flower lens hood and a circular polarizer.

Now I noticed that these didn't fit my Nikon D40x kit lens (18-55mm). I would like to purchase these same accessories for my kit lens so I started looking around here http://hvstar.net/ but I wasn't sure which one would fit (52mm ones?)

What type of lens hood is ideal for my kit lens?

Also, I would like a circular polarizer for outdoor shooting. Do brands matter?
For example, this eBay one vs. this B+W one ...

Thanks

jupitersolo

I think both lenses use the same filter size, which is 52mm. And the hood you need for the 18-55 is the Nikon HB-45.

pebe

If you have the Nikon lens cap that came with your 18-55 lens, on the inside of the cap it will say what size filter. I have the 18-55 kit lens and it takes 52mm filters.

But its strange, i have the 2 same lenses as you and the are both 52mm. Are they the VR versions?

pebe

And also, just from what I have read on here, why put a cheap ebay filter in front of your expensive Nikon glass?

If you need a filter, I believe Hoya and B&W are good.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

OK I'm retarded. The polarizer does fit my kit lens. Sorry for the confusion.

Hows this brand of filter?
http://www.amazon.com/Tiffen-52mm-UV..._bxgy_p_text_b

Amazon has the "buy these things together for this much" deal... and it includes the lens hood and the remote that I want.

Also, is there a difference between the flower hood lens and the "normal" ones? Does it just depends on the lens specs? ie. telephoto has an ideal type, wide angle has an ideal type etc.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Nope. I wish!

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Hoya 52mm CP
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...9AVE6&v=glance

Yes or no?

waTSX

Tiffen makes okay stuff, maybe more for the budget-minded. B+W and Hoya, imo, are a little more at the higher end of things. Most opinions I've seen put B+W at the top, but Hoya makes top-flight stuff too.

Just keep in mind that both companies have different ranges of products, and high quality CP filters are going to cost you some bucks. The one you linked is not Hoya's best, but I'm sure it will work just fine. The more expensive filters will have multi coating, which helps manage lens flare, and higher quality optical glass.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

^ Thanks, I don't think I need to purchase the higher end stuff yet but I will stick to the better brands.

I saw this on hvstar... are they the lower end stuff too?
http://hvstar.net/index.asp?PageActi...ROD&ProdID=681

Is a UV filter necessary? Its essentially just a protective filter right?

waTSX

There are a couple of schools of thought on the protective filter thing. I don't use 'em, but I'm careful with my stuff. I also usually use lens hoods, which helps protect the front lens element. If you are prone banging your stuff around, a protective filter may not be a bad idea. A UV filter contributes nothing to image quality, imo.

The Pro 1 series of filters are very good. Since you can get a comparable price on the Pro 1 at hvstar to the cheaper filter at Amazon, I would go ahead and get the better filter. Read my posts above about my experience with hvstar. Good company by most accounts.

jupitersolo

I don't use UV filters unless I need to, meaning if I'm shooting where crap is blowing up and what not. It wouldn't hurt to have one, but don't buy cheap glass to put an less expensive glass, but then again don't buy a lot of stuff for something you might not need, if you start buying better glass. The better glass has bigger glass and you won't be able to use your 58mm when you step up to it. You'll need 72 and 77mm filters then.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Well, when I do move up to a better camera (won't be for awhile), I can sell all my Nikon stuff together so I wouldn't be "wasting" the 52mm stuff.

Anyway, I'm getting the lens hood for my kit lens and already have one for the telephoto glass. I take pretty good care of my stuff so I think I'm just gonna stick to the CP. I'll buy my clumsy sister a UV filter for her XSi.

jupitersolo

If you have lens hood and use them, that should be good enough to help protect the front element while using it. That's what I rely on.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Thanks again guys.

Once again, AZ makes me broke. Haha