Lense Filter for 70-200mm

[mrclark321]

OK... know that I finally ordered my 70-200mm f/4, what filter should I get?
Does it come with a filter?

Dan

[crc_408]

No filter included. I typically get a UV for my lens. Also got a circular polarizer for my 70-200mm

[mrclark321]

What brand is best?

Dan

[tim]

B+W is a very good brand, Hoya are good too. Some people use Canon filters and say they're fine, and they're cheaper than the other good brands. I think they're rebadged Tiffens, or something like that.

[lancea]

I got a "general brand" UV from B&H in case I need to use my lens when there's a bit of moisture around, but got a good quality Hoya "Pro 1" polariser as flare can be an issue when the sun's out. My Hoyas all say they are made by Tokina, but I think they are also sold as "Kenko".

There's a lot of people saying you shouldn't use a filter as protection, but I must confess the front lens on my 70-200 f/4 looks very vulnerable. If I had Tim's f/2.8 I'd be even more worried, despite all the advice that the UV isn't needed.

[mrclark321]

Do you lose any quality when you use a filter?

[lancea]

I believe the correct answer is "yes" :) I suspect a few cases of flare have been due to my UV filter, so I'm going to try leaving it off. For some ideas on the subject, see http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-feb-05.shtml Of course, when you have to use a filter - such as a polariser - I guess the argument doesn't apply (except the one about using a good quality multicoated glass).

[tim]

When you use a good quality filter you shouldn't lose much quality, but putting glass in the way of the light has to alter it at least a little.

[mrclark321]

What about buying the filters off ebay??

[Medic1]

I use hoya Super HMC......I have a UV and a CP for my 70-200, but I had problems with the UV messing with the focus. I think I just got a bad copy of th filter, the CP works great

[lancea]

What about buying the filters off ebay??
I've got two Hoya "Pro 1" polarising filters off eBay (baerhmall and ben.naden). No problems at all and the price was pretty good. I had to pay at least $US10 more than I would have if I'd lived in the US.

[mrclark321]

Should I get a UV or CP and what is the diff?

Dan

[IainB]

I bought a UV and CP. The UV tends to live on the 70 -200 F4L and the CP on the Tamron 28-70 XR Di, both being 77mm filter size.
As for the difference, a UV simply reduces haze effects. Generally it is a good 'protection' filter for the lens. CP is Circular polariser. Check this link: http://www.geocities.com/cokinfiltersystem/polarizer.htm
Don't buy cheap to stick on your best glass!

[lancea]

I've got a relatively cheap UV for use when I want to protect the front of my lens from spray or dust, but have just taken the plunge and followed the advice of those who say rthere's no need have a "protective" filter all the time. So - I'd say just get a good quality (multi-coated) circular polariser for when you want to cut-down glare and reflections, or make nice skies.

[mrclark321]

I would be so afraid to not use a filter for fear of damage to lense, last year at a wedding I dropped my A80 and banged it up pretty good. Sure would hate to do this with this lense!!!

Dan

[grego]

Got to use a UV filter for protection(if not using any other filter for effects).

It costs like 20 dollars or so to replace a filter, your lens however..........

[DavidEB]

Easy enough to answer the quality question yourself - take a photo with and without the UV filter. I use UV filters that are not quite the cheapest, and have never been able to detect degredation.

I have also replaced several scratched UV filters, and have cleaned really nasty stuff off of UV filters, and was glad that it wasn't my lens.

[Wildman]

The EF 70-200 f4L uses the same filter size (67mm) as the EF-S 17-85IS. Get a good quality coated UV and a good quality circular polarizer and share them. Putting a cheap filter on a $550 lens doesn't make a lot of sense.

If you're worried about damaging the 70-200, suggest you use the hood that comes with the lens. It' makes the lens look bigger than it is, but will protect it from a clumsy ding (and will make you look really professional or silly).

[tlpierce]

I *always* have a UV filter on *all* my lenses. I learned one day when I was shooting the young-lovelys-riding-the-mechanical-bull at a local C&W bar. A (unrelated) altercation broke out and I caught a flying beer bottle with the front of my N*k*n 70-210 zoom. Luckily the UV filter protected the front of the lens and there was no other damage (other than me having heart failure when I saw the smashed glass on the front of the lens).

So now there are UV filters on all my lenses, except when I go back to *that* bar, then I put every filter I own on the lens :)