Filter advice

[cuppa72]

Hi Guys

I'm thinking of kick starting myself again with buying some equipment and I want to get a couple of filters, so I hope someone can give me a few suggestions.

Like all manuals, they suggest only their brand, I have a Nikon D40. So Nikon are obviously suggesting only to use their filters, but would Hoya be ok instead? Or what else?

I was thinking of getting a polarising filter, the Nikon one is about £60 and the Hoya one is £30 (so this would be my prefered one). The Nikon manual says I should us a circular polarising filter, so any recommendations welcome.

Any other filters you find you can't do without? What about ND filters or a graduating ND filter?

I did buy some cheap UV filters to protect my lens, but I'm sure they are playing havoc with the AF. So no more cheap stuff for me, but no one is made of money, please help.

Tina

[homerdog]

Hoya are excellent, as are B+W (their 'Kaesemann' being the dogs danglies).

Certainly get a circular polariser to start with, its effect can't easily be replicated in post-processing, whereas most other filters can.

I would have a look on eBay and consider buying from one of the HK based sellers. I have used 'hkdirect' and can recommend them. Unfortunately, prices aren't as good as they used to be because of the weakness of the pound.