Sigma 18-200 OS lens + Hoya HMC UV filter

Anyone here has experience with using a UV filter with this lens? I am thinking of getting Hoya HMC Multi-coated UV filter, mainly for protection, but I am afraid it may reduce the picture quality of this lens.

have no fear
it works great...

UV filters always reduce the image quality of a lens. It's whether or not that reduction is noticable to you. In most situations, it will be nearly impossible to see the difference. However, there are instances where the filter (even a good multicoated one) will introduce added flare or ghosting. There will also be a very small reduction in sharpness in every shot, though whether you can see that or not is debatable (I can, many other people can't.) Check the filter sticky at the top of the forum for the big debate!

That's OK. I have just ordered a Hoya Pro1D Digital UV(0) filter for this lens. At the same time I also ordered a Hoya HMC UV Multicoated filter for my Canon 50mm 1.8 lens for only US$1.85. Thanks for the advice.

efoo wrote in post #4621117
That's OK. I have just ordered a Hoya Pro1D Digital UV(0) filter for this lens. At the same time I also ordered a Hoya HMC UV Multicoated filter for my Canon 50mm 1.8 lens for only US$1.85. Thanks for the advice.

It is in the extreme cases where it is possible to see the difference in a filter with 99.7% transmission vs one with 97% transmission... 2.7% difference is small

efoo wrote in post #4621117
That's OK. I have just ordered a Hoya Pro1D Digital UV(0) filter for this lens. At the same time I also ordered a Hoya HMC UV Multicoated filter for my Canon 50mm 1.8 lens for only US$1.85. Thanks for the advice.

Where???

thatkatmat wrote in post #4621437
Where???

HVStar.com (a Hong Kong online web store).

However that must be the last one for $1.85, because it wasn't displayed on the site after I ordered it.

efoo wrote in post #4620497
Anyone here has experience with using a UV filter with this lens? I am thinking of getting Hoya HMC Multi-coated UV filter, mainly for protection, but I am afraid it may reduce the picture quality of this lens.

I don't have that particular lens, but the Hoya HMC filters are not bad, not as good as the SHMC or Pro 1 line however. In my film days before Hoya developed the SHMC coating I used to use the HMCs and never had a problem with them and I doubt you will see a difference except in challenging lighting.

You should check what the price difference is to make sure you are making a reasonable saving, I don't know if a wide range zoom like the 18-200 would be worth the cost of the higher performance filter. If the lens front element is more than about 10mm below the filter thread level than it might be worth a more expensive filter as those sorts of lens are more prone to filter induced ghosting.

See the Protective Filter FAQ link in my sig for a lot more info on the trade-offs with filters.

Filter or no-filter always use a lens hood for best image quality.

It may make flares a bit more noticeable, but not a much more than that.
If you want for protection, just get one and keep shooting.

I am pretty sure the front lens element is no more than 10mm behind the thread level, but the price difference between between HMC, Super HMC and Pro1D filters is only about $10-$15, so I opted for the Pro1D.

Yes, that's my intention of leaving the filter on the lens permanently to serve as protection. I decided to get a filter after a couple of tiny rain drops hit the front lens, and I found it so difficult to wipe it clean as I was afraid of scratching the lens.

And yes, I usually use the included petal lens hood when I am shooting outdoor, not so much indoor though.

efoo wrote in post #4625098
I am pretty sure the front lens element is no more than 10mm behind the thread level, but the price difference between between HMC, Super HMC and Pro1D filters is only about $10-$15, so I opted for the Pro1D.

Yes, that's my intention of leaving the filter on the lens permanently to serve as protection. I decided to get a filter after a couple of tiny rain drops hit the front lens, and I found it so difficult to wipe it clean as I was afraid of scratching the lens.

And yes, I usually use the included petal lens hood when I am shooting outdoor, not so much indoor though.

Good call.

I use this lens with a Sigma EX filter which is essentially a Hoya MC filter.
No complaints here

I use a B+W F-Pro 72mm 010 UV-Haze 1x filter on my 18-200 OS--works great. Never take it off and have cleaned it many times simply by "huffing" on it and using a micro fiber cloth, lens pen, or clean part of my t-shirt. I have UV-Haze filters on all my lenses and clean them all the same way--I have never used lens tissues and fluid.

Thanks for all the advice, guys. I am now waiting keenly on my two Hoya filters to arrive.