filter for new "L"

[Digital Louie]

Just got a new 24-105 L and I have it on my 20D. Although I'm not used to the zoom ring being so close to the camera body, I love the lens. I am interested in a 77mm clear, UV, or skylight filter for it--mostly for the protective value. I don't want to muddy the clarity though. I'm also willing to fore go the filter to achieve a higher quality in clarity as I'm very careful with my lenses. Any comments on best brands? Money is always an object, but I would be willing to spend up to $100 if opinion in one brand would warrant the purchase. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Shawn

[jrsforums]

I would recommend the Hoya Super HMC UV filter. I have it on my 24-70 and cannot tell the difference with or without it being on. The Super HMC has super multi-coating with a scratch resistant coating. It also has front threads so your lens cap still works, which I find important.

I am told it is comperable to the B+M's best.

I got mine at www.2filter.com (http://www.2filter.com) for ~$40 (you need to load it in your cart to see this price).

BTW....if you need to get one for a super WA, like my 10-22, the Super HMC PRO1 at 3mm is the slimmest on the market...and still has front threads.

John

PS...of course, the use or non-use is a hotly debated subject...:lol:

[ssim]

As a rule I have a UV filter on my lenses. More for protection than anything else. If I am shooting in an environment that I don't need that protection I normally remove it.

I have had good luck with Hoya filters as well.

[kaitanium]

hoya pro1 filters check em out. check out the pro1D protector for just a piece of glass with no filter effects of a uv, skylight, etc. top glass for well top glass!

[Michaelmjc]

I've had good luck with Hoya filters. I have one on all my lenses, I just dont want to scratch the lens. If the filter scratches, no big deal. But if my 200 2.8 got scratched, I'd probably cry for a week or two.

I have also used Canons UV filters, they work out very well also.

[Icecamp]

There are definitely two very divided camps on this subject. I am of the opinion that the "filter for protection" is a way the camera stores can sell accessories when selling a lens. I realize there are some extreme conditions that warrant the use of a filter for protection, but diligent use of the hood will work in most situations. I only use a filter if there is a reason optically to use one(polarizer, Split ND). With the advent of personal post processing the polarizer is the only filter that can't be duplicated using a photo editing program. There was recently a thread on DP review where a poster found the UV filter he was using for protection was causing back focusing problems, remove the filter and the lens focused perfectly. All of my lenses go naked, I can't see putting another piece of glass(even a $100 one)in front of my $1200 glass.

[Andy_T]

Another vote here for the 'filter on all lenses for protection' fraction ... I go for B+W multi coated and can definitely endorse them.
Not much more expensive than the Hoya HMC, but more solid and with a better reputation. I have both ... I removed my Hoya filter once for night shots when the difference on my Tamron 28-75/2.8 was clearly visible (ghosting from lights). Haven't had that occur to me with the B+W filters, but that doesn't necessarily have to say much.

Best regards,
Andy

[SkipD]

There are definitely two very divided camps on this subject. I am of the opinion that the "filter for protection" is a way the camera stores can sell accessories when selling a lens. I realize there are some extreme conditions that warrant the use of a filter for protection, but diligent use of the hood will work in most situations. I only use a filter if there is a reason optically to use one(polarizer, Split ND). With the advent of personal post processing the polarizer is the only filter that can't be duplicated using a photo editing program. There was recently a thread on DP review where a poster found the UV filter he was using for protection was causing back focusing problems, remove the filter and the lens focused perfectly. All of my lenses go naked, I can't see putting another piece of glass(even a $100 one)in front of my $1200 glass.What was said above.....

I always use a good quality, properly designed, lens hood on my lenses, but never a filter unless for creative purposes. I have some (very expensive in their day) Nikon lenses (among others) that I bought in 1967 or so, and have used heavily enough over the years to wear the paint off. The glass in all of the lenses is in pristine condition - even after one nose-dived into a sidewalk from four feet. All I did for that one was buy it a new hood - because the old one was ugly after I un-bent it.

Should you put a filter on for protection? It's your choice. Make sure you buy the best filter available to prevent optical problems. Personally, I have other things I can buy with the money that would be wasted on UV filters.

[Jon]

I put filtes on any lens that will take them. I use Hoya HMCs. I'd rather have that filter on, and providing that little extraa bit of protection, even if I might find an occasion where I need to remove it than go the "no filter" route and not have one to put on in extreme conditions. Plus, I photograph a lot of dogs, and 90% of them consider it their mission in life (after getting a treat) to leave noseprints on the camera lens. Even a Peke can reach the front element of a wide-angle lens through the lens hod; Borzois, greyhounds, and the like need at least a 500 mm lens/hood combo to keep them back.

[FScott]

Ooooo another protective filter vs no-filter religion thread. We haven't had one in awhile. One could spend hours reading the old threads and find that there is no consensus on the topic. Folks with decades of experience swear they will put a UV filter on every lens in case it gets scratched and those folks with equal stature who swear never to put anything between their $1000+ glass and their subject. My conclusion is that if these folks who know much more than I do can't decide among themselves then it really can't matter very much. On the one hand there aren't many demonstrable results showing that the filter really degrades the image much. On the other, we don't have many examples of damaged lens front elements either. I think we can safely leave it as personal preference (the beachsurf photographer and the dog photographer not withstanding).

I leave the filters off, but have nice lens hoods for every lens, even the nifty-fifty (found it cheap in Tokyo for $6).

-- Scott.

[schmoelzel]

There are definitely two very divided camps on this subject. I am of the opinion that the "filter for protection" is a way the camera stores can sell accessories when selling a lens. I realize there are some extreme conditions that warrant the use of a filter for protection, but diligent use of the hood will work in most situations. I only use a filter if there is a reason optically to use one(polarizer, Split ND). With the advent of personal post processing the polarizer is the only filter that can't be duplicated using a photo editing program. There was recently a thread on DP review where a poster found the UV filter he was using for protection was causing back focusing problems, remove the filter and the lens focused perfectly. All of my lenses go naked, I can't see putting another piece of glass(even a $100 one)in front of my $1200 glass.

Here here........no extra glass on the front of my 85L allowed!! (except for a polarizer!). I'll stick with the lens hood and the cap that come with the lenses..........

[Luckie8]

Always go with the German made B+W MRC filters

[PetKal]

Ooooo another protective filter vs no-filter religion thread. We haven't had one in awhile.

Like a week ?
However I am surprised by a number of experienced folks using Hoya filters.
I had one of those HMC (or whatever) jobbies and was not impressed. Seemed like an economy brand, the glass moved within the bezel (it was not a polarizer ;) ).

I have been using B&W filters only, with one exception of a 77 mm Sigma EX UV filter which is OK.

[condyk]

Hoya Pro1 UV but I never use them. I do have a small collection somewhere in case I am going to shoot in glass unfriendly places like a dressing room full of pole vaulters or male porn stars. I always use hoods, but then I don't have any Canon consumer lenses which require one to buy them as an expensive accessory! I also have a Kenko Pro1 CP for my Toki which seems identical to the Hoya Pro1.

[PetKal]

Hoya Pro1 UV but I never use them. I do have a small collection somewhere in case I am going toshoot in glass unfriendly places like a dressing room full of pole vaulters or male porn stars. I always use hoods, but then I don't have any Canon consumer lenses which require one to buy them as an expensive accessory! I also have a Kenko Pro1 CP for my Toki which seems identical to the Hoya Pro1.

I do not quite grasp the difference between the two, but I am just an old menonite hick.:rolleyes: Perhaps it is that Birmingham jive.......notwithstanding the aforesaid, Dave I trust you can tell them apart.
Incidentally, I do have 2 filters (Hoya and Canon ;) )for adverse shooting conditions and hostile object s like seagulls in flight and industrial sandblasting/spray painting processes.

[bokeh'ed]

i would think that B+W, no doubt is more ex than it's hoya counterparts, is worthwhile to get. one of their main features is their coatings are resistant to dust and water, and can be easily cleaned off with microfibre cloth WITHOUT smudges or white specks left behind. comparing to other filters, it is very difficult to clean them off without marks.

[jrsforums]

The Hoya Super HMC (SMC) filters have superior coatings and anti-scratch than the plain HMC...very similar to the B+M MRC. The The SMC is 5mm and the SMC Pro 1 is 3mm, both with same coatings and front threads. The B+M MRC is 4mm, with threads.

I believe the SMC Pro 1 and B+M MRC are similar in cost, depending on size and source (but at www.2filter.com (http://www.2filter.com) the Hoya is usually lower cost). The 5mm SMC is a lot cheaper and a very good deal as it is usable in most lenses other than super wide angle.

I find the SMC's very easy to clean. I suspect that many reports on Hoya's are from people who "saved money" by getting their lower cost (and quality) versions. 2filter offers 2 lower priced versions and their is another lower priced on (I believe often offered on ebay) which they do not (I believe "refuse to") offer.

An interesting quote from their site on SMC.MRC comparison, "...The Hoya SMC's have been available now for 9 years and the MC coating transmission is just fantastic at 99.7% of the image passed through. The Ultimate Uv or Sky from Hoya is the Super MC Pro 1 filters only 3mm high double threaded, yes you can use snap on lens caps and screw in hoods . The MrC multicoat from B+W, transmits 99.5% of the light The B+W MrC and Hoya Super MC coatings are as good as they can be. Somewhere in the world they call this quality of coatings "ghost less" we agree. With Hoya SMC or B+W MrC coatings, the camera lens may contribute more to the problem of flair, than the Hoya SMC or B+W MrC filter..."

John

[subtle_spectre]

The no-filter-in-front-of-expensive-glass argument is compelling...to me. That said, I have a slew of Hoya filters both low end and high end. I've done some comparisons and the results were barely, if at all, noticeable as to light tone change, reduction of clarity etc. I am not disposed to by additional filters...if it looks like a perilous place I'll put one on for the prophylactic effect. On my always on lenses I keep the filter on, eg my 24-70. I think the cheap Hoya is on it now and the images are fine and selling.

[tim]

I like B+W filters, they don't seem to get dirty so easily, and they're easier to clean.

[jjonsalt]

Always go with the German made B+W MRC filters

Or the German made Heliopan filters.

[Digital Louie]

Thanks for all of your input. I bought a B + W today in the Pro series. I do like the build quality compared to the Tiffens that I've used before, but I don't know about the clarity issues. Maybe I'll only use it when I'm outside of my studio setting.
Thanks again
Shawn

[Kostyanych]

I am a little bit late, but I have bought same lens and probably same filter last week. :)
I bought B+W MRC.

I worried about front focusing problem... Or may be it's just my imagination....
What do you think, can we do some sharpness test? :)
Let's say... we can shoot the box (that new one ;) ) from same distance using same aperture and hopefully same exposure. (May be wa can use flash to get it)....
And then we will compare the picture. :)