Filter Brands

[Sicily1918]

OK, after searching for a while I didn't find anything conclusive -- most of the messages suggest Tiffen, B+W, and Hoya are all pretty good -- which is the best? So here's the $64,000 filter question:

Out of these three brands (or the fourth, fill in the blank), which do you prefer? Not because the brand's name is cool, but because the filters are top notch.

Let's compare apples to apples. To reiterate: I know there're some $250 Hoyas, but if there's no equivalent from the other two brands, don't use that particular one in your evaluation.

Thanks! :)

Edit: I can't believe I misspelled "manufacturer" :rolleyes:

[Dante King]

I have heard heliopans are, but they are out of my reach for the time being.

[the.digital.guy]

I have always used B+W .
As my dad once told me: "It's the clearest and cleaness Glass on Earth"
Don't know if he was right;but it's never let me down!

[slin100]

Of the three, B+W is probably the best. To me, the better question is which brand is good enough? My answer would be Hoya.

[Bob_A]

Anyone have any idea who manufactures Canon filters? I have both Canon and Hoya and can't tell if one is better than the other.

Bob

[ScottE]

I am really indifferent to brand of filter and usually just buy the brand the store recommends. I only want multi-coated filters. Looking through my filters on hand I see that I have Tiffen, Hoya, B&W, Heliopan, Rodenstock and Sigma.

All seem to function OK. The only one that may be a little suspect is the Tiffen which looks kind of clunky and cost quite a bit less than the others. Sometime I will get around to replacing it with one of the other brands.

Scott

[abat]

Have only ever used Hoya due to their wide availability and reasonable price in Australia. Now using Hoya HMC. Have read good things about B+W and Heliopan.

[lostdoggy]

Just guessing. But isn't Tiffen the only one that sandwich their active fiter between two layer of glass. Making them last longer since the active filter won't be touch while cleaning.

[Raj]

All the brands mentioned above are not availabe in Japan (funny considering hoya stuff is made in Japan !) Kenko is what all stores sell here. I have MC protectors, CP's, ND filters from them. There are other japanese brands too. I recently purchased one thin MC protector for 77mm dia lens. Dont remember the brand though. Its always tough after few glasses of wine :cool:

[mdr]

You can't beat Lee Filters.

[ohenry]

I like my Singh Ray Polarizer and Variable ND filter

[digitaltourist]

The rings on the B+W filters are brass and I have never had a problem with one sticking. I recently added 2 Hoya SMC ND filters and the first time I used one with a step up ring (Heliopan) it stuck. Might just be bad luck or coincidence, not sure.

The Hoyas optically are very, very good and I will definitely consdier them for any future filter needs I may have. I prefer B+W but I doubt anyone could tell the difference when it comes to the results. Just make sure when buying Hoya to stick to the multi coated filters.