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Essential lens filters for Canon EOS 6D Mark II landscape photos?

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What are the absolute must-have lens filters for a Canon 6D Mark II for landscape photography? Im heading to Glacier National Park in two weeks and Im honestly panicking about my gear. I read that a Circular Polarizer is the most important thing but then some people say the dynamic range on the 6Dii is kinda limited so I need Graduated ND filters to keep the sky from blowing out.

I'm using the 24-105mm kit lens and my budget is under $200 total. Do I really need those expensive square filter systems or can I just use screw-ons? I really dont want to buy cheap glass that ruins the sharpness of the L series lens but $200 isnt much...


4 Answers
12

Jumping in to say you should skip the graduated NDs. I used a cheap kit once and the purple tint ruined every photo. Now I just bracket shots to save the sky. A solid screw-on like the B+W 77mm Basic Circular Polarizer MRC is a safer bet for your 24-105mm. Its durable and the coating makes it way easier to clean when you get water spots on it.


11

Glacier is going to be absolutely amazing! For a trip like this, prioritizing a circular polarizer is definitely the right move. It is essentially the only filter effect that cannot be accurately replicated in post-processing, especially for cutting surface glare on the lakes. Since you are on a budget, you should definitely stick to high quality screw-on filters. I highly recommend the Hoya 77mm Fusion One Next CIR-PL as it offers fantastic optical quality without ruining the sharpness of your L series glass. Regarding the dynamic range of the 6DII, you can actually skip the graduated ND filters by using exposure bracketing. To manage shutter speeds for those gorgeous waterfalls, I suggest adding a Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density Filter. These two items together fit perfectly under your $200 limit and will provide incredible results. You are gonna love shooting at Glacier!


2

> I really dont want to buy cheap glass that ruins the sharpness of the L series lens but $200 isnt much... In my experience, screw-ons are perfectly fine for that 24-105mm L lens. You dont need a bulky square system unless you are shooting ultra-wide. Over the years Ive tried many brands, and honestly, the price-to-performance sweet spot is usually high-quality Japanese or specialized glass. If I were you, Id grab the Marumi DHG Super Circular P.L.D 77mm. Its significantly more affordable than the high-end German brands but maintains excellent sharpness. For those waterfalls and moving clouds in Glacier, you also want a solid ND filter. The NiSi HUC PRO Nano IR 77mm ND1000 is a beast for the price. Unlike cheap options, it doesnt have that nasty magenta color cast. Those two together will stay under your $200 budget. Better to have two great filters than a whole kit of junk that softens your images.


1

Re: "> I really dont want to buy cheap..." - honestly, sticking to high-quality screw-ons saved my sanity years ago. I used to mess around with those bulky square systems because I thought that was what pros did, but I ended up missing a sunset once because I was struggling to slide a filter into a frozen holder. Now I just keep things simple. My current setup has survived some rough conditions and I couldnt be more satisfied with the results. A few things I learned the hard way:

  • Thread quality matters more than you think. I had a cheap one get stuck on my lens once and it was a nightmare to get off.
  • Coatings are a lifesaver. Being able to wipe away a thumbprint or a water drop without leaving a greasy smear is worth every penny.
  • Fewer pieces of glass usually means fewer chances for weird reflections. Ive been really happy with how my shots look lately. Just having that one reliable piece of glass on the front of the lens makes the whole process so much more enjoyable when youre actually out in the parks.


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