New 70-200 L 4.0 on the way - which filter?

[roadsclr]

Hi everyone,

I'm ready to finally take the plunge and buy a 70-200 L series lens (f4). I'm debating between using a Hoya UV or Skylight B filter. I'm unclear as to which one offers more advantages for general outdoor (primarily landscape) photography. Any assistance is appreciated!

Thank you.

[SkipD]

You probably don't need either one of the filters you mention. Most people who buy UV or skylight filters do so for "protection". Just use the lens hood that comes with the lens, and you'll have all the protection you need against things touching the lens' front element. If you have a digital camera body (I couldn't tell from your post), all color correction is taken care of in the settings you have on the camera or in post-processing software.

That said, you would benefit by having a good quality polarizing filter. It can darken the blue of skies, remove some reflections from glass or water in your scene, etc.

It is my firm opinion, and I think a lot of folks on this forum will back me up, that the reason so many folks believe that they need filters for protection of the lens is because they have been brainwashed - directly or indirectly - by the folks that sell filters. There is a tremendous amount of profit for the photo equipment stores when they sell filters. I have never used filters for protection (but have always used good quality lens hoods), and have never had a damaged lens in over 40 years of using cameras in all sorts of situations.

To be sure, if I were to shoot in a sandstorm or similar conditions I would consider a filter for protection against lens abrasion, knowing that it would probably be thrown away after the shoot. I just don't drag my cameras out in those conditions.

[ddelallata]

Save yourself the money and just use the lens hood.

[blue_max]

It has to be a personal choice. I have heard all the arguements for and against and feel I am grown up enough to make my own decision.

If b+w can brainwash me – they should try selling timeshares, cos they are rather good at it.

I have already gone to remove a lens cap, only to find there wasn't one there.

This is the sort of thing I have to take into consideration.

Actually Canon themselves suggest one on the 17-40L to complete the weather sealing, so it's working on Canon too!

Graham

[ddelallata]

Actually Canon themselves suggest one on the 17-40L to complete the weather sealing, so it's working on Canon too!

Graham

Well, you can't compare the 17-40L to the 70-200L. The lens hood on the latter should offer more than enough protection IMO. THe hood on the 17-40is big, but only really serves as a shade. I have both of the above lenses and only the 17-40 has a filter on it.

[roadsclr]

Thanks everyone for the input! Let's suppose I am still looking to purchase one for those rare conditions that warrant a filter to protect the $575 lens. Does it matter much whether it's a UV or a Skylight?


Thanks again.

[blue_max]

B+W 67mm MRC UV 010M Haze Filter NEW F-PRO Multi-Coated

That would be my recommendation. It's what I bought.

It is true that the lens hood offers excellent protection. However, it's so damned big that it is more than a little tempting to leave it off. Note that it fits on the lens in reverse ie pointing at the camera to save space.

Hope you come to a decision.

Graham

[SkipD]

Thanks everyone for the input! Let's suppose I am still looking to purchase one for those rare conditions that warrant a filter to protect the $575 lens. Does it matter much whether it's a UV or a Skylight?Based on the coloration? Probably makes no real difference. Just make sure you get a high quality multicoated filter if you are going to shoot in situations that could cause a flare in your photo (strong light sources that can impinge on the filter).

[ttmatsu]

I would opt for the Hoya S-HMC. You really arent't paying to protect a $575 lens, just the $175 front element (quoted replacement cost on a f2.8) which really is just a multicoated piece of glass. I shoot my kids at their athletic events and sometimes the wind is really going. The hood actually catches too much air. People who advocate just using the hood are protecting the lens element from direct contact with a hard object (which I've read in various threads really does happen). People like me are protecting the front element with a filter because I've got filters that I've had to toss because of all the tiny scratches. I'm not the only user of this camera. My 14 YO will pick it up to add her impressions. My wife will walk off with the lens cover in her pocket and I will take the camera out of my backpack and find there is no lens cap.

Use a microfiber cloth to clean (the kind used for eyeglasses), it's much better than lens tissue.

[csnudelman]

Does adding a UV filter degrade the image quality? IT HAS TO! Maybe only with 200X blowups could one tell, but adding another piece of glass has to affect image quality. Use the hood and don't degrade your "L" lens. However, should you buy a polarizer get Heloipan or B+W. Their rings are made of brass and will not seize like the aluminum ones do.

[ed rader]

multi coated UV filter for my 70-200 f4/L, and i plan to always keep a filter on the lense.

some say a filter will degrade the image....believe me, if that ever becomes THE deciding factor in picture quality i'll review my "filter always" policy.

some say to use a filter only when protection is necessary. i've been an electrician for many years and the worst jolts i've received were totally unexpected.

in my case, protection is always necessary!

YMMV, however :cool: .

ed rader

[I Simonius]

Hi everyone,

I'm ready to finally take the plunge and buy a 70-200 L series lens (f4). I'm debating between using a Hoya UV or Skylight B filter. I'm unclear as to which one offers more advantages for general outdoor (primarily landscape) photography. Any assistance is appreciated!

Thank you.
If your choice is only between the 1B and UV, that's easy - get the UV!
You don't need the colour adjusting characteristics of the 1B with digital cameras, only film

Get the HMC version rather than the cheapo version, I would say get the HSMC (hoya SUPER ;) Multicoated, BUT I'm not sure that it has a thread for the lens cap as it's also ultra thin. I'm waiting for mine to arrive so I can tell.

Protection V Hype?
How long are you prepared to spend wiping finger marks off your lens element?
It will happen, probably when you are stuggling with lens caps +camera bag flaps and fleeting shooting opportunity. Do you want to risk ONE piece of grit or sand blown onto your lovely multicoated shiny front lens element? I don't. That's just me.

[csnudelman]

Simon king wrote "How long are you prepared to spend wiping finger marks off your lens element?"

What? It takes less time to wipe a finger mark off a filter than a lens? Or, because it's a filter do you either not clean it or do you just replace it? I have been using a SLR and lenses for 30 years and can't recall ever having having to clean a finger print off a lens. My secret? JUST DON"T TOUCH THE FRONT LENS ELEMENT! Simple and it works for me.

[SkipD]

What? It takes less time to wipe a finger mark off a filter than a lens? Or, because it's a filter do you either not clean it or do you just replace it? I have been using a SLR and lenses for 30 years and can't recall ever having having to clean a finger print off a lens. My secret? JUST DON"T TOUCH THE FRONT LENS ELEMENT! Simple and it works for me.I agree completely. I can't remember the last time I had to clean anything more than ordinary dust and similar stuff off my lenses. The use of a lens hood greatly reduces the chances of your touching a lens element.

An observation - most of the folks who I see with filters on their lenses for protection do not have a lens hood on the lens. The filter is right out there in the open, banging into their clothes, getting smeared with their fingers, etc. The naked filter is also exposed to many more strong light sources than a hooded lens would be, increasing the risk of flare in their photos. If they used a good lens hood instead of a filter, none of that stuff would be getting to the lens.

[I Simonius]

Simon king wrote "How long are you prepared to spend wiping finger marks off your lens element?"

What? It takes less time to wipe a finger mark off a filter than a lens? Or, because it's a filter do you either not clean it or do you just replace it? I have been using a SLR and lenses for 30 years and can't recall ever having having to clean a finger print off a lens. My secret? JUST DON"T TOUCH THE FRONT LENS ELEMENT! Simple and it works for me.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: sure n o one would in their right mind, but accidents happen :cry: