Did I buy the wrong Heliopan filter?

[Sibil]

Hello all;
I went to the local camera store and asked for the B+W #010 UV-Haze MRC filter to replace my Canon UV filter with. They were out of stock on the 77mm size. The salesperson had Heliopan which he said is the same as the B+W.

I bought the filter and after much reading on the Heliopan filters I learned about the single-layer versus multi-coated versions. The filter has no markings on it that indicate which one I have bought.

What did I get? I have a feeling I bought the single layer filter.

http://i39.tinypic.com/2v0bgy8.jpg

[Matthew Patrick]

That is a slim single coated filter. That is not the equivalent of the B+W you wanted because: 1. it's not multi-coated 2. it's a slim filter (which means the lens cap will not fit on the filter). I would return it and stop shopping there.

[Wilt]

From HP Marketing about Heliopan: "Thin Heliopan Filters
Heliopan Lichtfilter-Technik of Munich, Germany has changed their black anodized brass filter rings on most Heliopan non-rotating filters to their "slim" mounts.
The Heliopan slim mounts are available on all sizes and types of Heliopan filters and non rotating filters.
Heliopan´s slim mounts are made of black anodized brass stock and have so little rim in front of the lens (5.4 mm) that they will not vignette with lenses as short as 21 mm.
Yet even though they are so slim, they still retain front threads for a lens cap, a lens hood or even stacking a second filter!

The portion of the Heliopan slim filters that are in front of the lens has been reduced in thickness by 37% over the former mount!
Yet with these added benefits, Heliopan prices for thinner mounts are have not changed!
Heliopan does not charge more for less material! And all of Heliopan´s other benefits still remain!
Heliopan cuts, grinds, polishes and coats their filters with the same techniques and equipment as is used for the finest German camera lenses!
Heliopan offers the widest selection of sizes, screw-in, series, bayonet, square and rectangular filters and the widest assortment of filter types. Including digital, video, center weighted, graduated, wide angle, Kaesmann polarizers, drop-in polarizers, etc. "

Heliopan offers Heliopan Standard Coated Filters
"Each Heliopan filter has an anti reflective coating, scratch proof metallic oxide coating on each surface. This Special hard coating reduces reflections by approximately 50%. Heliopan filters are referred to as double coated. This means that the front and rear glass surfaces have coating applied to them.

Heliopan SH-MC Multi Coated Filters.
On special order Heliopan can supply most popular filters with a special multi coating. The SH-MC (Super High- Tech Multi Coating) consists of 7 layers of coating on each side of the glass. Reduces reflections in the visible area of the spectrum to a minimum. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery on special order Heliopan.

Most special effect filters such as soft focus, cross, fog and Softars are not coated.

[advaitin]

The two brands I hear the most positive comments about are B+W and Heliopan. So don't shoot your salesman yet. Try a few shots and see if your lens cap snaps on.

[Sibil]

Thanks for the replies and the info provided. I realize the Heliopan filters are very high quality, yet to me, I prefer to have purchased the muti-coated version since there is a difference in light transmittance according to my readings (95% versus 99.6%). As far as the lens cap is concerned, my lens cap stays on the filter, but I don't know how well it will stay on in field use.

I will try to return the filter and find the multi-coated version since I am dropping serious money into a filter.

Cheers

[4x4rock]

Interesting. I traded a Heliopan 72mm ES for the same 77mm ES and didn't know that. I thought the 72mm ES was multi coated. The filter looks really nice compare to the cheaper UV ones.

Seeing how expensive these are...I can understand your concern.

I don't use it at all and it's only for protection when I'm near salt water.