Nikon SLR Cameras

Does the nikon d90 camera need a filter?

trumpeterette
trumpeterette

Does the nikon d90 camera need a filter?

Jens
Jens

No. Cameras don't need filters in general, but filters can be useful on *lenses*.

It is a good idea to use a decent quality UV filter on at least expensive lenses to protect the front element from scratches. Other types of filters also are useful, first and foremost a circular polarizer - but these depend on what you want to achieve.

So in short, they are not mandatory but useful in the right situations.

Camera Guy
Camera Guy

No camera needs a filter…
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Filters are added for 1 of 2 reasons…
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A UV or Skylight are added to help protect the front glass of your lens. If you have a $800 lens on the camera you sure don't want the front glass chipped or scratched. Constant cleaning it will soon scratch it, like glasses, and it can get ruined this way too. The actual cost of the lend matters not tho. They all be expensive to replace. Then there's water spots from a gazillion sources. Baby's. Pets. Dog noses. Outside.etc… Fingerprints, smears and such. Look how your glasses or friends glasses get and here we TRY to be careful but they STILL get dirty…
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The 2nd reason is special EFX's. A polarizer to darken skies and whiten clouds as well as bring out colors is good. Star filters, they have small lines like window screen in them and they give candles and pin point light sources that star look we see a lot this time of year. Colored filters, half colored filters, etc. All are used to give "in camera" special EFX. However…
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http://www.niksoftware.com/colorefexpro/usa/entry.php - is but 1 company making - digital filters - that you can apply to the image AFTER the exposure, at your computer. The list of special EFX is far more than real glass filters can do and in the long run, much cheaper. You can also adjust how much of the EFX you want, which is something you can't do with glass filters.
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But, the 'clear' UV or Skylight is still some of the BEST protection you can give your lens other than the lens cap it's self.

Picture Taker
Picture Taker

I use a plain glass clear "filter" for lens protection. They cost more than skylight or UV filters, but why put a skylight or UV filter on your lens if you are not going to be shooting outside? They DO alter the color.

You have to check it closely, but the UV filter DOES darker the colors a bit.