Filters?

[Littlebike]

I need to buy two UV filters, both 77mm.

I am wondering if anybody has actually noticed a difference using Multicoated "high quality) Filters or not?

Is it worth spending an extra 20-40 dollars for filters or should I just stick with some $35 UV filter?

Hoya makes about 5 UV filters, is there a noticeable difference in quality?

What is "shylight" all about?

[DaveG]

Littlebike wrote:
I need to buy two UV filters, both 77mm.

I am wondering if anybody has actually noticed a difference using Multicoated "high quality) Filters or not?

Is it worth spending an extra 20-40 dollars for filters or should I just stick with some $35 UV filter?

Hoya makes about 5 UV filters, is there a noticeable difference in quality?

What is "shylight" all about?

These filters are likely to be on your lenses 100% of the time so I'd get (and I got) Canon filters. The little bit extra that you spend now will be soon forgotten.

As an aside (sorta) I bought a 300 mm f4.5 Nikkor lens about ten years ago. It was used, in great shape, but didn't have ED glass. I was working for a newspaper at the time and used it for a lot of field sports along with my 180 mm f2.8 ED lens. We were using nothing but Tri-X at the time and it was quickly obvious that there was plenty more contrast with the 180 than the 300.

There was a protective UV or Skylight filter on the 300 and it was in good condition. One day for reasons that escape me, I took off the filter and did a few shots. To my shock the negs were then identical to the 180's! That filter (which still looked good to my eye) was never used again. I sucked it up, bought a 72 mm L37C Nikkor and haven't looked back. It taught me a lot about filters, and I've never forgotten it.

[GPR1]

When you pay lots for glass, don't skimp on the filters. The Hoya multi-coats are excellent, as are several other brands. I would not buy a cheap filter.

"Skylight" filters have a slightly pink cast, supposedly to cut through haze. However, they can also wash out a picture. I would stick with straight UV unless I wanted the extra pink, then I'd pick an 81A warming filter.