UV lens filter suggestions for 17-40L?

[ddelallata]

what do you guys recommend? I'd prefer a filter that still allows for the use of the lens cap when not in use so must thin cuts are out of the question. I also don't want something that will break the bank, but I don't want to be cheapy with on a lens with good optics. I've always used Tiffen filters before, would these be OK?

[mkitson]

Hi David. You and I are up to the same game! After your advice to my post about the 17-40L yesterday I am in the process of ordering one right now! Ithought I'd order the UV filter at the same time. I decided to have a quick search to see what others have suggested and here you are again!

[lkorell]

There are many who would advocate not using a filter at all. Some reports suggest that with digital, the filter does degrade the image a bit and/or can cause lens flare.

I am leaning towards using no filter because I have some serious L glass and want to take full advantage of the designed optics without any interference from a third party filter.

I'd do more research if I were you and make an informed decision.
That said, if you decide to use a filter on your lenses, don't buy cheap ones.
It's like buying an expensive lens and shooting all of your pictures through a window. Why????

The brands that are very well made and use premium materials and a meticulous process are Heliopan and B+W. Somehow the German made glass is always at the top of the heap. Others may also recommend Hoya HMC, or Tiffen, which are both acceptable but not the absolute best IMHO.
The filters that are best aren't inexpensive but they will most likely do the job without as much image interference as the cheapos.

YMMV, but do some homework and see what experts say. It isn't an easy decision since the fear of damaging a lens can traumatize the best photographers, but for me, I will try not to use filters unless I am going to shoot in adverse conditions like bad weather, sand, wilderness trekking or backpacking, etc. Then it becomes a different issue.

Lou

[blue_max]

I bought the 17-40 and have purchased a b+w mrc filter for it via ebay. Over in the UK, the availability is poor and the price of these filters is very high, so it was the only way.

The filter is of a very high quality and as good as it gets. This lens in particular focusses very close, so may get poked into places you would regret going! Don't forget that you may not have time to don a filter at the spur of the moment and miss the shot. It is always surprising what muck can get airborne.

Also, for second hand values, a filter shows you care.

You always have the choice to remove it for the carefully considered shot of a lifetime.

You pays your money, as they say.

Graham

[mkitson]

I bought the 17-40 and have purchased a b+w mrc filter for it via ebay. Over in the UK, the availability is poor and the price of these filters is very high, so it was the only way.


I am also in the UK-what kind of money are you looking at for the b+w mrc filter off ebay?

[mkitson]

Oops. I was trying to put a bit of blue max's message into mine in one of those blue boxes I see in replies. Obviously got it wrong. How do you do that blue box thing?

[blue_max]

You press the quote button bottom right of the message you want to quote.

If you search for b+w mrc 77mm it will give you the supplier I bought mine from. They charge about £28 plus £8 postage and £2 insurance (compulsary). It takes from 10 days to three weeks and they mark it as returned goods of no value, so no duty payable.

I think that is very cheap and a much better filter than you could buy in somewhere like Jessops.

I think you could always sell the filter on if you changed your mind. You only have one chance to do it from new though.

Graham

[ggibbs1971]

I use B+W UV filters on all my lenses. The best prices I have seen are on Ebay. The sellers are using an Asian connection to get the filters. I just bought a 67mm circular polarizer for $73, compared to $120 retail.

Cheers
Go Spurs

[lancea]

The good news is that the Hoya Pro 1 filters are thin and threaded, so you can use your usual lens cap. The bad news is that they are expensive. I'd say by any "name brand" multicoated filter. I have both Canon and Hoya, but aren't using a filter these days unless I really need it.

[ScottE]

The brands that are very well made and use premium materials and a meticulous process are Heliopan and B+W. Somehow the German made glass is always at the top of the heap. Others may also recommend Hoya HMC, or Tiffen, which are both acceptable but not the absolute best IMHO.

For the great German brands don't forget Rodenstock. They make some excellent filters too.

Scott

[lkorell]

I haven't seen any Rodenstock filters advertised. What sites sell them? I'd like to see what they have. Every once in a while I think about getting some new filters for shooting IR film, but I was advised by one of the world's best to do IR portraits with an Orange filter.
Another filter I have and like are the old metal mount Nikon filters. They work very nicely too. The L37C by Nikon is a good lens protector and UV filter and they're a slight bit cheaper than the German ones.

Lou

[10Dennis]

I use a Hoya UV Multi Coated filter for my 17-40 and its about $30.

JDennis

[ddelallata]

Thanks guys, I ordered a HOYA PRO 1 multi-coated UV filter from EBAY from an Asian Seller with excellent feedback.

[ScottE]

I haven't seen any Rodenstock filters advertised. What sites sell them?

When I ordered my 10-22 lens from The Camera Store ( www.thecamerastore.ca ) in Calgary, Canada I asked them to recommend a protective UV filter because I use the lens outside in some nasty weather and dust. They recommended the Rodenstock because it was thin and wouldn't cause any vignetting.

I don't see it on their web site though, they just show Hoya filters. They said the Hoya filters were thicker and more likely to cause vignetting with a super wide angle lens. They also felt the Rodenstock matched the quality of the lens better.

Scott