Filters???

Would appreciate as many replies as possible here. Who here uses filters on the end of their lens and what type? (ie: UV, haze, etc). I'm thinking this may have something to do with my shots not being as good as anyone else's here. Well that, and the fact I don't own one of them $1000 IS lens'.

I use Hoya UV filters on mine.

There are two sides to this fence. Those that use a filter to protect their
expensive lens and those who do not want to put a cheap filter on their
expensive lens because they do not want to loose image quality and or
light.

My attitude is that, you need to really be banging your lens around to
scratch it. It is not usually an opps move, more a drop.

Your problem is more an equipment and post processing thing. If you
have a little point and shoot camera, the processing is done by the
camera and not the user. With your kit lens, you need to shoot in the F-9
to F-11 range to get really crisp images. With your 300mm, you need to
do the same but light and motion becomes a factor. After you take the
shot, you will probably need to pump up the color saturation a bit and
sharpen.

Fred makes a good point it really does help if you have good glass and good technique. Good glass comes first then learning how to set the camera up for the light and making sure you can pan. Panning correctly is key for getting great shots.

i have tiffen UV-1 filters on all of my lenses, and they stay on the entire time. the only times i take them off is to clean it all. now, i've also got a polarizer for all my lenses but since that one isn't used as often it's sitting in a pouch in my cam bag. my lenses alone are worth more than my car, so im not taking chances.