35L II filter

Just got my 35 II and while I dont really use filters, I bought a Hoya NXT filter for $44. TBH its more for protecting the glass than foltering uv light. That said, spending that kind of money on a lens I want the best iq i can get. Am I better off with a B&W and Hoya HD series filters or will the Hoya NXT be sufficient?

Don't waste your money buying a clear filter for "lens protection" unless you like to use the lens in the rain or in a sandstorm. Otherwise, you can easily and safely clean ordinary stuff off the lens with no damage to the lens.

SkipD wrote in post #17973625
Don't waste your money buying a clear filter for "lens protection" unless you like to use the lens in the rain or in a sandstorm. Otherwise, you can easily and safely clean ordinary stuff off the lens with no damage to the lens.

What about the non "ordinary"..?

I use them most of the time. . To be honest I usually get the cheaper variety.. mostly I use it when conditions could lead to something abrasive on the lens.. like at a beach..
Or when walking through thick crowds ..
I find more and more that I just leave then on all the time....
I dropped my t4i with 10-18 on it .. the filter and cap are jammed together .. to pry them apart I get the feeling one will be damaged .. easier to replace a filter on cap.. without the filter who knows if the filter threads on lens could have been damaged .. anyway .. don't want to turn this into a should you or shouldn't you . As that's not what the OP was asking. . And those threads usually go on and on

So, me personally I would go with the one that costs the least
My searches show'd minimal degradation to the point that you need to really be pixel peeping and trying to find it


On a side note I've been wanting that 35lii so bad .. just torn between what I should get next.. as in what's the smarter move

my default is to use use hoya, marumi, kenko or B+W. sometimes they come off like when i'm using Lee filters or NDs or for night photography into bright lights. make sure the filters are multi-coated

just replaced the front element on my 24-70L II -- $468. coatings were destroyed by cleanings. and I do use filters except in certain conditions and I shoot in very harsh conditions at times. one size does not fit all. I seldom use a hood unless i'm walking around because I change filters alot

I bought for my Canon ef 35 f1.4 L II lens a hoya HD and B+W x64 ND filter - you will use that ND filter outside, It does a great job.

Watch this...

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=P0CLPTd6Bds

Finally, somebody actually tested lens durability with and without filter "protection". The upshot is...

- Filters don't provide significant protection in a lot of cases. After all, it's just a thin piece of glass!

- Lenses are a lot tougher than you might think. And, worst case, lens front elements can be replaced.

- In some cases where a filter didn't break, the lens was damaged anyway.

- A "protection" filter might be a good idea in certain situations, such as shooting in a sand storm or at the beach where there's sea spray.

The lens hood and lens cap do a better job of protecting a lens, than a filter ever could. I virtually always use the hood when shooting and never store a lens without capping it.

Yeah, I've got "protection" filters for most of my lenses (multi-coated B+W and Hoya). They're stored separately in my camera bag until actually needed... which really isn't very often.

And, yes, I often shoot in really nasty, dusty conditions, and have to do fairly frequent cleanings...

ed rader wrote in post #17973784
my default is to use use hoya, marumi, kenko or B+W. sometimes they come off like when i'm using Lee filters or NDs or for night photography into bright lights. make sure the filters are multi-coated

I uses ND filters almost always on my 24L and 50L for shoot wide open wall day, and removed them when my iso gets too high.
I alway buy Multicoated Kenko filter and have never had any issues with sharpness or image quality.

All of these were taken with ND2 and ND4 filters in 'harsh' afternoon light, both wide open and stopped down, all handheld

Photo from InfiniteDivide's gallery.

Photo from InfiniteDivide's gallery.

Photo from InfiniteDivide's gallery.

Photo from InfiniteDivide's gallery.

You will be better off getting inssurance.

UV filters were made for use with film cameras. They're useless on digital since they already have a UV filter built in on top of the actual sensor.

SkipD wrote in post #17973625
Don't waste your money buying a clear filter for "lens protection" unless you like to use the lens in the rain or in a sandstorm. Otherwise, you can easily and safely clean ordinary stuff off the lens with no damage to the lens.

I agree with this, although this is a much debated subject.

DanFrank wrote in post #17973514
Just got my 35 II and while I dont really use filters, I bought a Hoya NXT filter for $44. TBH its more for protecting the glass than foltering uv light. That said, spending that kind of money on a lens I want the best iq i can get. Am I better off with a B&W and Hoya HD series filters or will the Hoya NXT be sufficient?

The need for a protective filter aside for a moment, if you're going to use one, why are you putting a cheap one on an expensive top of the line lens? That would be like putting inexpensive clear plastic slip covers on an expensive sofa. It works, but it's a compromise. I understand that many people are risk averse and wish to protect the front element, whatever that means, but then do it with a filter commensurate with the lens you've purchased.

so the $44 B+W is better than the $44 Hoya?

For a filter specifically purpose-built to withstand significant impact damage for protecting the lens you might consider Sigma's new product: http://www.sigmaphoto.​com …s-first-ceramic-protector

I use the Hoya HMCs. They go for $14 at B&H. I really can't tell the difference between that and B+W regular, B+W MRC, Hoya SHMC and Nikon L37. I own all of them. Easiest to clean is the B+W though. The MRC is a slim version that basically is not used because of the stupid slip-on cap.

I got to admit, I use the HMCs on my 85mm II and 35mm I and they are technically not that sharp (without filters) by most people's standards but even with filters, they produce amazing results.

Hey, it's $14. Give it a try with and without filter and see how close the images are.

I prefer Marumi and B+W filters. I have used Hoya in the past, although some of their older style filters can be tough to clean. My default at this point is B+W with multi resistant nano coating.