What are the absolute must-have lens filters for someone diving into the Olympus OM-D system? I just grabbed a used E-M1 Mark III and the 12-40mm f2.8 pro lens for some hiking trips in the Olympic Peninsula next month and Im trying to figure out what I actually need to pack. I've been doing a ton of reading and people keep mentioning that the Live ND feature on these cameras is basically magic so I'm wondering if buying physical ND filters is just a waste of money at this point or if there are situations where the software just doesnt cut it. Then there is the whole CPL debate... I read online that a circular polarizer is essential for getting those deep greens in the forest and cutting reflections on wet rocks but then I saw a couple forum posts saying they can cause weird patterns or uneven skies if you use them with wide angle lenses like the 7-14mm which I might get later. My budget is pretty tight around 200 bucks right now so I dont want to buy stuff I wont use. Should I just stick with a good CPL and call it a day or is there something else like a mist filter or maybe a basic UV for protection that I should be looking at? It is so confusing because the MFT sensor is smaller so I dont know if that changes how these filters behave compared to the full frame stuff everyone talks about on youtube...
TL;DR: Use Live ND for motion; prioritize a CPL for glare. I love using Live ND! It makes physical ND filters basically obsolete for hiking. For your trip, a Hoya Fusion Antistatic Next CIR-PL 62mm is fantastic for those wet forest greens. I saved significantly by using step-up rings for my smaller lenses. It keeps the MFT system light while delivering amazing results. It's a perfect setup!
Like someone mentioned, Live ND is handy, but I disagree about ditching physical filters entirely. I'm a bit more conservative and prefer the reliability of glass. On my last trip, the software just couldnt handle the brightest waterfalls midday. I've been very satisfied with this combo: