Which filter. Please help!

[fattizzi]

I have a new lens and would like to get a protective filter. Do I get a UV Haze filter or a Skylight 1A filter. I dont want it to do much except protect my lens. Please advise.

P.S what brand should I buy?

[D60DIETER]

Two ideas,

1. If you have spent a hell a lot of money, let me say for a "L" glas, you should consider that a cheap filter just for protection, brings your lens quality down, so you could have bought a third party lens or a cheap non "L".

2. Having a non "L" lens and looking to avoid, that the output is not becomming more worse, you should buy the best filter you can get (B+W, HELIOPAN, LEICA,...). They will probably cost you half the price you payed for the lens.

Advice: To get the max right out of your lenses work without a filter (when not necessiary for special effects: Polarizer, ND, Grey Scale, etc.). For protection use the lenscap and the lenshood. Dust and fingerprints can be cleaned without damage!

[scottbergerphoto]

I use L glass and I prefer to clean dirt and smudges off a filter then constantly abrade an L front lens element. A scratched filter can be tossed away. That being said, buy a good quality filter like B+W or Canon. Avoid cheap filters as they will degrade your image.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=213211&is=REG
Scott

[Vegas Poboy]

UV protection filter or any one of the skylight filters. I have both L lens and non L and I always purchase mid grade filters. Usally around $40.00 retail on the local market. None of these filters has a factor so you won't lose any stops.
I aslo keeps a Cir. Polorizer on hand also, great for bright days and cutting glare on reflective surfaces.

If you pretty much know what you're going to use the lens for some online retailers sells multi packs that breaks down the prices a little better.

[MediaMagic]

scottbergerphoto wrote:
I use L glass and I prefer to clean dirt and smudges off a filter then constantly abrade an L front lens element. A scratched filter can be tossed away. That being said, buy a good quality filter like B+W or Canon. Avoid cheap filters as they will degrade your image.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=213211&is=REG
Scott


I agree, get quality filters. I use the Canon UV filter listed in the link Scott gave and there is no discernable difference in photo quality. I also have a cheaper off brand UV filter and it shows a slight difference in quality. Same with a circular polarizer. I have the Canon 77mm CP and also a cheaper Promaster. The color saturation of the Canon CP filter is superior. I've never used B+W filters but everyone who uses them swears by them also.

For film I use Tiffens (north star, warming, enhancing, soft focus, 80A, etc.) and have been very pleased with the result. I'm sure the Tiffen filters would deliver very well for digital, there is just little need for these kinds of filters, in my opinion, when most of these effects can be added in controllable amounts during post processing.

David