Which Filter For B&W Photography

[Camera Obscura]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Just thinking whether I should try filters when shooting B&W. I guess there are two options...I use film by the way..... One being using Photoshop in post processing, the other using a filter on the camera. Any suggestions on pro's and con's?

 

What filter colour is the best as an all round filter on the camera. Any suggestions.

 

Thanks...Much appreciated.

[stunsworth]

If you're shooting b&w film you can't replicated coloured filters in post processing - the colour information isn't there to allow that.

 

I almost always have a yellow filter on my lenses when shooting b&w. It darkens the sky a little without making it look too dark. Other choices are orange, and rarely in my case, red.

[andybarton]

I too usually have a yellow 1 stop filter on my lens when shooting b&w film on my M.

 

You can add filters to scanned colour film in PS before transforming into B&W, but to be honest, with the controls you have in PS, this isn't really necessary. Much better results can be achieved in software, IMHO, if you spend a bit of time to learn how the controls work.

 

Really interesting effects can be made by using masks and different colour PS filters on different parts of the image, prior to converting to B&W. I do this regularly.

[Mark Antony]

I'd say yellow personally, like Steve says it brings out clouds by making the blue sky a little darker.

Rule of thumb is that the filter colour makes the same colour in the scene lighter while making its opposite colour darker than would normally be the case.

So green lightens foliage, but will make magenta look darker.

visual here:

Using coloured filters with black & white film

 

I only use two coloured filters; yellow for sky and red when using IR or for extreme effects.

 

hope this helps.

Photo Utopia

[JBA]

If you just google something like "filters black and white photography" you'll get a good overview.

[lee_lo_ban]

The best way could be just without any filter when you shoot then use whatever color filter when you do enlargement

[lmr]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I tend to play around with filters for B&W. Red is Dramatic, Orange is very dramatic, Yellow Green is good too. I guess it all depends on what you want to do... Flip through this article... it may help you decide on teh effect you want... Shutterbug: Photo Filters

[stunsworth]

One thing to remember with a red filter is that caucasian skin tones will become almost totally bleached. Which may, or may not, be what you want.

[rubenkok]

There is some information here http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/handbook/pdf/B+WHandbook_Full.pdf

page 30 - 35 for black-and-white filters

I use the B+W Red-Orange Filter 04 (to make the clouds in the sky look dramatic) and a

Leica E39 Yellow 1 Filter (is ideal for landscape photographs, since white clouds will contrast more against the darker blue sky)

More on Filters for Black-and-White Film here How to use Filters Test Review © 2005 KenRockwell.com

I hope this is some help

Ruben

[Photoskeptic]

I use yellow if there are clouds, otherwise nothing. I would love an orange one too, however.

[Camera Obscura]

Thanks to all of you. Very helpful indeed. It looks like a good starting point is a yellow filter, maybe followed at a later stage by something more dramatic like red.

 

Now, I have been off photography for about 10 years before taking it up more seriously again one year ago.....so here one more beginner question.....

 

How do I compensate for using a filter on a range finder camera, an M6? If there is a 1 stop adjustment to be made, how do I best do? I guess the best way assuming I am using the filter throught the film is to change the film speed? What would that mean if I am using an ASA100 film for instance?

 

Thanks again. You are a great help in getting me started again....

[Photoskeptic]

John, with a yellow filter I do little if any compensation.

[Kent10D]

How do I compensate for using a filter on a range finder camera, an M6? If there is a 1 stop adjustment to be made, how do I best do? I guess the best way assuming I am using the filter throught the film is to change the film speed? What would that mean if I am using an ASA100 film for instance?.

 

Hi John.

 

If you're using the M6's internal meter you don't need to worry about exposure compensation. It meters through the lens, and therefore through the filter, so you'll get correct readings with whatever filter you use.

If you use an external meter, on the other hand, you'll need to use the filter factors that are listed for (often engraved right on) each filter to adjust your exposure value.

[rob_x2004]

HOYA FILTERS - The Difference is Clear John these guys have easy to read. Hardcopy in most places that sell them. Library probably has heaps of texts too.

 

Worth buying assortment of cheapies, Hoya, jessops, maurmi, secondhand, whatever, experiment and find the one that works for what you are doing. Then fork out for a schneider or whatever. Otherwise you might decide on a green to hide the girlfriends pimples and you only have a red to bring out your clouds.

 

Also HK light is different to Aus, England, wherever so what works in one place might not be so helpful in another. Not sure about a yellow in the burny HK haze, something you will have to find out or ask where you but.

[Camera Obscura]

Thanks Rob. Good point on the HK haze! You must know the place.

 

I guess a yellow filter on a yellow Hong Kong haze may not be the best solution. Will have to try out I suppose, but yellow and orange are I think the choice at the moment.