Stacking filters

I have several filters, but I would like to know if its wise

to "stack" them on each other during a shoot. There are a number of

special effects filters which could be fun to use in conjunction with

each other - but does it heavily impaire photo quilaty to "stack" for

instance 3-4 filters?

 

A combination could be a warming filter, skylight filter and some

kind of special effects filter.

 

Would this make sense at all?

 

Apologies for my flawed English.

Yes, quality would be heavily impaired if you were to stack filters.<br>No, it makes no sense to do so unless the special effects gained are much more important to you than the quality of the image.

Great idea, artictic, too.

 

I know of someone who has 5 filters all in front; "just in case" he says and gets fuzzy, nicely vignetted images. So, stacking 6 or more filters might be innovative, and stacking all your 4 filters in front is ok if you are after that retro unsharp look.

 

Else, one filter is enough.

Never ask if it's OK to do something, if you already have the materials to do it. You will just get replies like those above. TRY IT. It doesn't have to make sense.

As a general rule-of-thumb, you should use as few filters as possible in front of or behind the lens. In the example you have given, there would probably be no need for the skylight filter, so remove it. If it is necessary to use more than one filter, then take every precaution you can to avoid lens flare problems (flare and ghosting are the main problems you will need to contend with). Use a good lens hood or at least shield the filters and lens from direct sunlight. If the filters are multi-coated, internal reflections should be minimized. If at all possible, do not include light sources in the image area. Elsewhere in one of the PN forums, someone asked some questions about a problem they were having getting ghost images when using multiple filters stacked in front of the lens. So, there can be problems.

 

Now, having said all that, by all means go ahead and give it a try. I have seen many photos by wedding and portrait photographers who used multiple filters quite successfully. A nice soft-focus filter combined with a star-burst filter can create a nice effect in some situations. As someone else said, experiment. That way you can find out what will work, what won't work, what creates the effects you want. Just make sure you take as many precautions as you can to avoid problems.

A similar question was asked just a few days ago. Here's my

answer.

 

"This stuff about not stacking filters is not right in my opinion.

 

If you have a fair or better lens on the camera and put a couple of

decent -and clean-filters on it then this shouldn't have a material

effect on your images. I do it often and make big prints from my

transparencies without any apparent loss in quality. I've never

had a printer or a client comment that my originals don't look

sharp because of filter usage.

 

But. I know this is only opinion, but for me Cokin P wouldn't fall

into the category of "decent filters" . HiTech would - and they

aren't really expensive. So would Lee. So would Hoya, B+W and

Heliopan amongst the screw-in manufacturers.

 

But. The use of any filter with the sun in front of the lens

increases the chances of flare. This is especially true of big flat

bits of resin out front of the lens. I'm unconvinced that having two

filters is any worse than one filter from this perspective. There

are clearly things you can do to avoid flare and it's more

important to do them when you're using filters.

 

But. I can see how two badly scratched or dirty filters could be

worse than one. I only stack filters in good condition.

 

But. Using two or more filters can easily cause vignetting on

wide or standard lenses- especially when one's a polariser

since they tend to be thicker."

 

My experience extends to the occasional use of three filters but I

have never stacked 4.