Fair enough, can only say that until recently I have mainly photographed dogs at dog shows and have never had a problem having said that I will worry next Wednesday as that my friends is sods law. Will now go check the insurance.

Thanks so much for all your replies, it has helped loads
As being as I have dogs and ferrets that like to get close to the lens I'm going to stick with UV filters for now. I will get a polarising one for each lens in the near future. I want to get at least one other lens first (the Bigma!) then I'll seriously look into good quality filters like the Lee, Cokin etc

The Bigma, that is a big outlay, do you have a tripod because you can use the Bigma hand held if you are into weightlifting but most of the time you will need a tripod, so better add that to the to be bought list if you haven't.

I always use a UV filter, if for nothing else than to protect the lens. I would recommend anything by Hoya. My experience with Quantaray is not on the plus side. I agree with Moonstone, buy a good piece of glass, then think about filters. The picture is made or broken by the glass on the camera.

Filters filters filters...much talked about but little understood!

UV filters - cheap as chips!! Why damage your objective lens when you can protect it from crud, grit , etc... for peanuts! Makes sense for a few quid eh?

POLARISING filters - (Circular) great filters which can be rotated on the lens and can deepen saturation, reduce reflections and glare, and enhance tones and contrast - a MUST for landscape togging.

ND grads - You should only ever need two of these because you can double them up. They can hep reduce sky burn-out, can add drama to skies and clouds, can separate the horizon, etc... I would advocate buying an ND 4 and ND 2.

All others... yeah there are over 250 different types of filter - each with a specific function - if you've got the money and the inclination, buy the lot!! If not, then INVEST in what IMO are the only 3 you will need. UV, Circular Polariser, and ND grads.

I have been given a couple of really sturdy tripods (they are really old tho!) - they are a bit heavier than I'd really like but until I find one that I really like and does the job that I need it to, I'll have to make do. I may end up just buying a lightish weight tripod and using that at the times when I don't need to use the heavy one - it will depend on where I'm going and what I'm wanting to photohraph. I have been looking round and I've had a try of a few, for a lightweight one I'm drawn to the Velbon Sherpa 600R - it's also had a good review in the Canon mag (I did like it before I even read the article tho!)
Since going to Longleat, I realised how important a tripod is, I tried to get some shots that really needed one and probably a remote control shutter.....that reminds me I want to get some advice on a waterfall shot - will post that on another thread

Velbon Sherpas are great I've got a Sherpa 550R, and it's fine for the D300 plus Bigma. I do actually manage to handhold it, pretty much all of my puffin stuff was handheld and all of the kite ones from the last couple of visits, as it's really hard to track flying birds with a tripod (unless it's got one of those really expensive Gimbal or Wimberley heads). I don't half feel it the next day though, and the weight does take a bit of getting used to.

If I'm shooting from a car or hide with the Bigma, I tend to use a beanbag instead.

I shoot with the bigma hand held. It does take quite of lot of strength I agree! But it is possible.

Nic, that's brilliant, that is really good to know i.e. bigma and velbon ok together! I would guess I'll do alot of hand held shots with the bigma (when I get it -might have to wait a bit longer as I'm spending money faster than it's coming in!) I've generally got a steady hand and arm, although sometimes I do get a little over excited and wobble a bit, lol!

I wouldn't be without my uv filters, just because I want to protect the lenses as much as possible - having said that, I remove them for some things

Equally - always handhold the bigma - or use it with my waist pocket and monopod - I find tripods a PITA when I'm using it!

xx