72mm Filter questions

[Twist]

Does the same rule apply. "You get what you pay for"? I am getting a 28-135 IS lens and want to get some decent filters for it. Since its 72mm the prices are already up but how to know what is a good filter? Price isnt always proving point. I am not afraid to spend money on decent polarizing or ND filters, but I dont want to kill my already bruised bank account. I would also really like to get a Hoya R72 IR 72mm filter. That will set me back 90 bucks alone for just that one through ebay. Certain brands to keep an eye on? Or certain shops that have decent prices on good filters? Some shops I see filters from a brand I have never heard of for unbeliveable prices.

[pierrot]

Hmm... dunno. What is puzzling me is how - even with an IR filter - you can make decent IR pictures, as the sensor itself is equipped with its own filter? The resulting sensitivity must be extremely slow?

[steven]

Go with a brand that is know for quality. B+W appears to have to best rep around followed by Hoya.

Just say no to brands you haven't heard of, there is a reason (no is using them).

[Persian-Rice]

I like hoya, they are well priced and have good quality. Mind you, nothing is well priced when it's in the 70's.

[Mike Panic]

hoya has a bunch of differant lines of filters... the middle grade filters are in the blue box, the high end hoya's are in the black box - my apologies for not knowing each catagory name - thats just how i remember them.

if you want the cats meow to say of filters, spend the money on the b+w filters - me personally - i think you pay a high premium just on the name and you can get similar performance from other high quality filters for a lot less, like the hoya black box or even tiffen

[Twist]

Thanks for the info. One main thing that was holding me back is that I dont really know which names were the right names other then Hoya and Tiffen. I havent heard anything negative about either. I am not at the point where I can get the cats meow of equipment but I dont want to have to double buy cause I buy a subpar filter only to find the need to upgrade to the slightly more expensive one in the long run.

As for places to get them... Sticking with the big names is usually my best bet? Like B & H?

[Huckaback Photo]

Suitable or Unsuitable instructions for buying a new filter.
Its your decission !
My story.
1...buy new 100 - 400 L is. (did not buy filter at same time) silly move.
2...Holliday approaching ..Must get new filters (also need for 17 - 40L ) now thats 2 x 77mm =£££
3...Drive to nearest shop 40 miles round trip. 2 @ 77mm Skylight Hoya pro please.
4..none in stock ....we have the normal quality hoya...Ok...really needed something to protect lens.
5.. 2 days in Prague ...3 days Kromeriz shooting european brass marching bands.
6...Back home...looks a lot of dust on filter..clean filters..
7.. suddenly realise lots of dust in on the front element as well...tap the filter with finger and more dust appears from around the glass retaining ring of filter.( you guessed it the glass is loose)
on both.
8... now thinking these 2 particular lenses have extra dust and moisture seals built in by canon, plus canon obviously reccomend use of own brand filters. to complete this seal in effect.
9...Now also did test with these filters..Take 1D mk 2. and 100 - 400is L. turn off is... Mount the Lens(not body) on seriously heavy Gitzo tripod..use self timer (no risk of movement)
2 shots with 2 shots without filter compare on screen ( no contest.. without wins by far).
now for comparison take similar pic through double glazed window (without filter)..open window take test shot (without filter) I think you pos guessed the outcome of this. yep the double glazed shots were nearly as good as through the filter.
10... back to shop, and exchange. shop assistant finds some B & W sky in 77mm size, oh great i say ill take those. we can do these at same price as we mucked you about.(even better i thought)
11... Back home i fitted 1 about to fit the second i notice it has a slight grey tint... read edge of filter..says something like (if i remember correctly) B & W 77mm sky -1..sure enough meter on camera confirmed it ( this was indeed a skylight complete with minus 1 neutral density.
Now feeling real P......off.
I got what i wanted in the end and only my own self to blame for not waiting and getting it right in the first place .
DO NOT SPEND SERIOUS MONEY ON A LENS TO DOWN GRADE WITH A CHEAP OR FAULTY FILTER.
Buy the way
I have many older filters B & W, Hoya etc and have never had any problems (going back 35 years in photography) shows i'm getting on a bit.
Last year i picked up a 200mm 2.8L on ebay it came with free 72mm B & W filter made my day.

Note you can always check out the second hand shops as some old are better than new in my view and yet technology has moved on so much.
Cheers
Martin (Huckaback Photo)