In article
>1. I'm in a huge dilemma. I've been shooting black and white for many
>years; using yellow filters for a long time (to get "normal" contrast).
>2. Now that I shoot color in addition to black and white, I use two
>camera bodies, using the same lens. The problem is that since I shoot
>color, I haven't been using the yellow filters (I don't like to hassle
>with screwing off the UV filters-->screwing on the yellow filters).
>3. Question: How important do you think yellow filters are to black and
>white photography? Is it worth it to get another camera system (ie, so
>that I can have a system with yellow filters already on the lens)?
>Thanks.
Have you noticed a difference, now that you are not using the yellow
filter? My guess is that if all else is equal, you won't see any
difference, unless the air is very clear (deep blue sky). I laugh at
those photos in photo books showing the wonderous improvement to be
had with a yellow filter (after trying the following): I used all of
the many filters built into a 7.5mm f5.6 Nikkor fisheye to photograph
the same subject (including a grey card, grass, blue sky, a few other
things), being careful to apply the filter factor for each filter to
the exposure. Results (with grey-card densities matched): med. and dark
yellow and light green filters showed no discernable tonal changes;
orange showed some, and red showed a very noticeable darkening of clear
blue (only slight changes in other color tonal renditions). Conclusion:
unless you work in the high areas of the Western US, or catch one of
those rare very clear days in the East (and even then if you want only
subtle tonal change), don't waste the light lost by using the yellow
filter.
Hope This Helps