Recommendation needed on Filter 100-400>

Just got the 100-400 this week. And of course its been raining for the last 2 days. I just found this site a few weeks ago and have found it to be very educational. I am curious what filter would be highly recommended
Thanks
Jim

for the most part, no filter. Filters typically will mess with the optics of an otherwise amazing piece of glass. However, if you're going to be shooting a dangerous subject (like paintball), then a simple UV filter will do. It's much better to destroy one of those filters than your objective element.

I use B+W MRC or Hoya HMC filters on all my lenses, including the 100-400. UV for protection, and circular polarizer for reflection control.

All my screw-in filters are B+W MRC. Multicoated filters don't lose you so much light and cause that much in the way of stray reflections, and MRC is particularly designed to repel water (particularly on shorter lenses, I have had raindrops strike the filter even with the hood in place).

David

I used a Hoya Pro 1 Protector on my 100-400 and did not notice any degradation in image quality.

used to use a b+w uv filter on my 70-200 and never had any trouble with it.

Thanks for the advise! No Polarizers recommended?

if you need to use a polarizer, get one, but don't spend any less than $140. However, I wouldn't recommend a polarizer as your permanent filter because it only serves a purpose when shooting skies, windows, water or other refractive elements (are there any others i'm forgetting?)

As Justin said, use a polariser, but only when you need to (as it costs you something like a stop and a third or stop and two thirds of light). If you want a protective filter, use a high quality multicoated UV filter.

Cheap polarisers will cause various problems. I have a B+W 77mm slim Kasemann circular polariser MRC. Slim is certainly not needed for an EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS, but I also own an EF 16-35mm f/2.8L and may go full frame in the future. A slim filter will help prevent vignetting at the wide angle end of the 16-35mm on a full frame body.

David

Here is a link to the exact same one that I use:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …EG&addedTroughT​ype=search

Well, yes.

Brand recommendations are the ame for both.

I think you've got your recommendations - B+W MRC or the higher end Hoya stuff (S-HMC or "digital"). Heliopan multi-coated filters (SH-PMC, I believe) are also excellent - I'd go for one of those three brands.

David

Thanks for the advise.


Jim