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Use Filters or Not?
There is a constant debate going
on whether to use filters or not.
Some say that filters degrade the
image quality; others don’t care.
What is your take on this?
Aslam, via email

Yes, the world is divided on this issue.
As for me, I use a filter on each and
every lens of mine.
Cheap quality filters will definitely
affect image quality. In the tests
that I have counducted, I have seen
no perceptible difference between
pictures shot with and without
filters. Keep in mind that I do not use
cheap filters. A 6300 ISO Noise Limit
A friend of mine has given me his
Even if there is a very slight decrease Sony A6300 camera to use. Up to Brighter images on
in image quality (I’ll repeat that I see what ISO can I go without noise? camera LCD
no difference when using high-end Joseph D’Souza, Nagpur
filters), I will risk that rather than I observe that my images on the
risking scratching the front element This is not an easy question to camera LCD look brighter than on
of the lens. answer because different users my computer screen. I am unable to
have different ‘tolerance levels’ get a clear-cut idea which is at fault.
I recently saw a video where the to digital noise. Keep in mind that Anupam Vaidya, Mumbai
photographer actually scratched the noise is a part and parcel of every
front surface of his lens and then digital image; just because you I had answered an almost similar
went on to claim that his images were don’t notice it does not mean that query some time ago. Generally,
not affected in any way even after there is no noise. But as long as the all camera LCDs are overly bright.
that abuse. I have written off that noise does not make your photo Fortunately, most cameras allow us to
photographer! look bad, you should not worry control the degree of brightness of the
about it. LCD.
Third Party Products
Is it okay to use third party camera Noise could be caused due to Load your images on your computer
batteries? Is it okay to use third several factors – underexposure, and place the same memory card
party battery grips? high ISO setting (worse would back into your camera. Navigate to
Avinash G, Via email be underexposure with high ISO the same image on the camera that
Given an option, I would only use setting), and heating of the imaging you see on the computer screen. If
an original battery in my camera. sensor either due to high ambient the camera screen image is brighter,
I have neither used nor compared temperature or due to very long reduce the brightness setting for the
the various alternatives available in exposures. Even the degree of LCD till both the images look same
the market. So my statement is only enlargement can play a role; you or similar. This should give you a
based on the ‘fear-factor’ of causing may notice noise in a very large reasonably good correction.
some sort of harm to my camera. image, compared to the same image
printed smaller. And finally, as I BKT/HDR
Most ‘original’ battery grips are mentioned earlier, your tolerance What is the difference between
overly priced, giving a good reason level to noise. Bracketing and creating a HDR
for considering a third party battery image in the camera?
grip. But for the same reason – fear The Sony A6300 uses an APS-C size Nitesh Vora, Vadodra, Gujarat
factor – I would avoid it. I have also imaging sensor which is quite large
read on the internet that many third compared to 1” Type sensors and When you create an HDR image in
party battery grips do not fit the even Micro Four Thirds sensors. the camera, the camera takes 2 (or
camera perfectly. There could also be The A6300 produces good results 3) images at varying exposures and
an issue of the camera manufacturer and if your pictures are going to then blends them together in the
declining the warranty should be of modest size, I don’t think you camera itself. When you bracket your Smart Photography
anything go wrong with the camera should have a problem of noise exposures, you control the number February 2018
that used a third party battery grip. even at, say, ISO 1600. of frames as well as f/stop difference

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