Filter Q's

[danielr]

Hey,

I have a few questions about filters because I'm looking at getting a few new lenses and people are always talking about getting protective filters for their lenses...

Some people have said that is a waste of time to get filters and others swear by them. When they say they are getting a filter so the lens doesn't get damaged but doesn't effect the image that is a UV filter isn't it? or am i way off... (I will be taking my lenses to the beach mostly so i think it would be particularly important to prevent salt damage?)

I have heard that for particular lenses you would definately get them and others probably not bother. Something about zoom lenses needing them? I'm planning on getting some of these lenses eventually so i was just wondering what you thought about particular lenses like these needing them? the 400/5.6, 50/1.4, EF-S 10-22 and the 70-200mm lenses.

Thanks for your time.
Daniel.

[blue_max]

Hey,

I have a few questions about filters because I'm looking at getting a few new lenses and people are always talking about getting protective filters for their lenses...

Some people have said that is a waste of time to get filters and others swear by them. When they say they are getting a filter so the lens doesn't get damaged but doesn't effect the image that is a UV filter isn't it? or am i way off... (I will be taking my lenses to the beach mostly so i think it would be particularly important to prevent salt damage?)

I have heard that for particular lenses you would definately get them and others probably not bother. Something about zoom lenses needing them? I'm planning on getting some of these lenses eventually so i was just wondering what you thought about particular lenses like these needing them? the 400/5.6, 50/1.4, EF-S 10-22 and the 70-200mm lenses.

Thanks for your time.
Daniel.

You are right that there are lots of opinions on the issue. However, if you want to use that sort of lens on the beach, I don't think there is a single person that would seriously suggest you don't have a filter on. With all that sand and salt air. You might want to grab a polariser and use that instead for blue skies.

Graham

[danielr]

ok cool i'll look for polarizers and what are the UV filters then?

In the B&H site when you go to buy the lens it gives you the option to buy different filters with the right thread size for that particular lens and there are brands like hoya, b&w etc then should I be fine in just ticking say a hoya 72mm polarizer for example? Or is there more to it than that?

[blue_max]

ok cool i'll look for polarizers and what are the UV filters then?

In the B&H site when you go to buy the lens it gives you the option to buy different filters with the right thread size for that particular lens and there are brands like hoya, b&w etc then should I be fine in just ticking say a hoya 72mm polarizer for example? Or is there more to it than that?


Rather than just give me opinion, it would be much more beneficial to you, to understand what you are buying, and why. I would certainly not presume to know what was best for you.

There have been a few posts recently on the subject of filters and polarisers. They should give you all the information you need, along with many varied views.

If it were me (here is my opinion if you have been through the above), I would take into consideration the elements I would encounter and the amount of light scattering around on the sand and off the sea. I would be looking at good quality UV filters with multi-coatings to reduce reflections and polariser to tame the amount of light and give better colour saturation. My choice is B&W MRC for both. They are very expensive, or Hoya Pro1 Super HMC are a little cheaper I think. The key is MRC (multi-resistant coating) and Super HMC (super Hoya multi coating - I think).

Good luck

Graham

[danielr]

thanks Graham your right I do have to understand it properly and with asking peoples opinions for my situation I felt that would be a good starting point to go out and start looking at filters & polarisers in general...

I guess I kinda sounded like I was gonna buy them tomorrow without anymore knowledge with what i said. Anyway yeah I'm doing a whole pile of research. Thanks for your help

Daniel.

[ssim]

I have always put a UV filter on all of my lenses. My 24-70 took a nasty fall one day onto the concrete and landed on its front lens. The Uv filter was toast but the lens was fine. Accidents happen and whatever you can do to provide some reasonable protection is well worth the money spent.

The only other filters that I have are circular polarizers and a Hoya R72 for IR shots, which I really stink at. I have yet to get something good with this.

[csnudelman]

I have always put a UV filter on all of my lenses. My 24-70 took a nasty fall one day onto the concrete and landed on its front lens.

I have been an avid photographer since the mid 50's when I started with a Kodak Duaflex IV with an adjustable Kodar lens. I have had numerious 35mm cameras and lenses and a Mamiya 6X7 with several lenses and on to the 20D and "L" lenses I use now. I have never dropped a camera or lens, never. Perhaps if I ever do I will start to use a protection filter. But I can look back at the thousands and thousands of pictures I have taken without any degrading from using a filter.

[SkipD]

I have always put a UV filter on all of my lenses. My 24-70 took a nasty fall one day onto the concrete and landed on its front lens.Did you have a lens hood attached? That could have saved the lens as well, and would be less expensive to replace than a good quality filter (one which wouldn't produce a lot of flare). I've been there, so this isn't guessing.

[Desertraptor]

I just looked at B&H for IR filters. Did I read the price right $359 ?

[CoolToolGuy]

As you can see, this question has strong opinions on both sides. But to answer one of your questions, a UV filter is designed to remove haze from the image while being colorless. The other most popular type of protective filter is a Skylight (1A) filter, which will provide a slight coloration to the image. Neither one reduces the amount of light, so they don't change the exposure from what it would be without them. Personally, I use a UV on every lens that I can, and I use B+W or Hoya Pro-1. That may be the high end, and there are others that may give the same quality, but as mentioned above, multi-coated filters are typically better for digital. Whatever you do, stay away from the cheap filters. If you are using 'L' lenses or other high-quality glass, a cheap filter could degrade your image.

For the EF-S 10-22 I would highly recommend the Hoya Pro-1. The wide angle of the 10-22, coupled with the EF-S design does not allow you to use filters with thick filter rings without vignetting at the corners. You may also need to remove the UV (or whatever) to use a polarizer.

IMHO hoods are also valuable, but they protect the lens in a different way. I use them both.

Hope this helps.

Have Fun,

[Mitcon]

I'm not a fan of filters myself as the only thing I like to put infront of my glass is the subject. I prefer to use a lenshood for protection and to reduce flare. On the beach though if light reflection was harsh I would use a polarizing filter, the only thing I can say if your going to use any kind of filter is buy a quality filter. No point paying for a good lens and then throwing a bit of crud infront of it.

[craigsinclair]

If you MUST use a filter make it the highest quility. Heliopan and B+W are the best. Unlike the filters made in Japan and the U.S. the German filters are cut from a solid piece of glass, not formed from a mold that could cool down a different rates causing distortion. Also, the German filters use rings made of brass which won't seize to the lens as do the aluminum rings on filters made in Japan and the U.S.