What UV filter brands do you use?

Since the early 70s it has always been my practice to place an inexpensive UV filter on the front of all of my lens, as a means to protect the expensive lens.

Now with these higher end digital cameras, such as the D300 & D200, I am beginning to wonder how much my photos are being effected by the quality of the UV filters. In looking at just the Hoya brand of filters, I see that they have at least 5 different levels of just the UV filter, from uncoated to highly coated. And the prices vary from just a few bucks up to $75-$80 for a filter.

Just how much effect does the filter have? Should I go with the highly coated high end filters or will cheaper ones do just fine? What do people think of the Hoya Super HMC Pro 1 filter (their top of the line)? What brands and models of filters do other people use?

I have B+W and Hoya HMC filters. The B+W filters I have came with second hand lenses. I find them too expensive brand new. I buy my Hoya HMC filters in Hong Kong via eBay. This is still a lot cheaper than buying them in a store in the Netherlands. I don't bother with very cheap brands like Marumi, Hama, and the likes, since (in my eyes) it makes no sense to spend lots of cash on good lenses and downgrade IQ with cheap filters.

I started with Quantaray (Ritz Camera in house brand), the switched to Hoya, then I removed all my Hoya filters and use only the Nikon filters. I don't know if they are any better, I only know that these are the ones I want to use.

Hi - I'm using B+W (MRC) filters for all my lenses with the exception of my Nikkor 12~24 f/4 lens for which I use a Nikon (NC) filter.

Cheers - Herman

------------
My motto: To learn more today, than I did yesterday!

Nikon D50 + Grip ~ Nikkors AF 50mm f/1.8D ~ 12-24 f/4 ~ 105VR f/2.8 IF-ED Micro ~ 18-200VR f/3.5-5.6G ~ 70-200VR f/2.8G ED-IF ~ Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3DG HSM ~ TC-17E II ~ Nikon SB800 ~ B+W MRC & Nikon filters ~ Vanguard Tracker III ~ Manfrotto 681B Monopod + 488RC2 ballhead ~ Sony DSC-S85 ~ Nikon CP3700 ~ Nikon P5000

I dont use UV filter that much but the ones I have are Hoya MC, I have a B&W circular polarizer and a Hoya Circular polarizer both in 77mm, I cant tell one from the other so with that I will know be using the lower cost types like Hoya MC

regards
Ray

cwmartin said:

Since the early 70s it has always been my practice to place an
inexpensive UV filter on the front of all of my lens, as a means to
protect the expensive lens.

Now with these higher end digital cameras, such as the D300 & D200, I
am beginning to wonder how much my photos are being effected by the
quality of the UV filters. In looking at just the Hoya brand of
filters, I see that they have at least 5 different levels of just the
UV filter, from uncoated to highly coated. And the prices vary from
just a few bucks up to $75-$80 for a filter.

Just how much effect does the filter have? Should I go with the
highly coated high end filters or will cheaper ones do just fine?
What do people think of the Hoya Super HMC Pro 1 filter (their top of
the line)? What brands and models of filters do other people use?

Click to expand...

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http://www.pbase.com/ray645

I am noticing that a couple of the Hong Kong eBay dealers do have great pricing on the Hoya Super HMC Pro 1 (top of the line) filters. I have a 67mm UV coming from one of them but it got me thinking.

We know that people are selling knock-off and fake Sandisk and other CF cards. Is there any worry that someone would be selling fack Hoya filters? Anyway to test to make sure we are getting the real thing?

I checked out the Nikon filters and found that they are extremely expensive. In some cases they can cost up to 25-30% of what the lens itself cost. Is there any testing out there that compares the Nikon filters to other brands?

Hoya Pro1 Digital for UV and CP filters.
--

'A man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on.'
Winston Churchill

Hauer said:

Hi - I'm using B+W (MRC) filters for all my lenses with the exception
of my Nikkor 12~24 f/4 lens for which I use a Nikon (NC) filter.

Click to expand...

Can you fit a filter on the 12-24 without getting vignetting?

I don't have the 12-24, but have been using a 20mm,
which on it is a step-up ring and a larger diameter filter.
The lens accepts a 62mm sized filter and on the lens
is a 77mm filter.

This has detered any vignetting for me. I have not
tried using a sun shield on the lens though.

marc

BTW: for the OP - the filters I've been using are B+W & Heliopan,
all of which are multicoated & have the brass rings. There's perhaps
little visible difference between these & other less expensive brands,
and I most definitely haven't conducted any tests - but these filters
seem to distort light to a less degree than the other filters.

Perhaps the choice of UV filters is to a greater extent a psychological
thing.

m.

Just got a tiffen 77mm UV low profile for Xmas. took a couple of quick shots. Don't see ant vignetting.

I use B+W 010 MRC's myself, but unless you still shoot traditional black and white film with older lenses a clear filter like the B+W 007, Hoya Digital One or Nikon NC is a better choice.

--
I miss the days when I used to be nostalgic.

UV is no longer needed as there is a UV filter on the sensor. Protective filters will, regardless of quality, be one more element to create flare and ghosting.

While I don't use filters myself (anymore), I understand that most neutral multi-coated are OK. As an alternative, I read (but cannot confirm) that insurance is much cheaper than a bunch of expensive filters for each lens.

As for a polarizer, I use a Nikon one and I am happy with it, although I could not say if it is any better than any other filter.

PS. All my lenses, including the macro which has a far recessed front element, have a shade on them as a form of protection against flair and minor accidents.
--
Lito
D80 + Mac

cwmartin said:

I checked out the Nikon filters and found that they are extremely
expensive. In some cases they can cost up to 25-30% of what the lens
itself cost. Is there any testing out there that compares the Nikon
filters to other brands?

Click to expand...

Why is it not obvious that good filters, the ones you would want to consider sticking in front of a $1000 lens, cost good money?

Having said that, anyone who pays "rack rate" for B+W MRC filters is out of their mind. Here is a viable alternative: http://www.maxsaver.net

Someone checked with Schneider and confirmed that their B+Ws are the real thing, at 60% of B&H prices, with outstanding customer service. They sell on eBay as besteastern, and are the price leader, even among the HK sellers.

My preference for filters:
1) B+W MRC if you can afford it
2) B+W
3) Hoya SHMC
4) Hoya HMC

I would not put anything less than a Hoya HMC in front of a lens, in particular Hoyan "green" and "blue" box filters, most varieties of Tiffen, any variety of Sunpak/Promaster or any other brand that is typically pushed by the salespeople at Wolf/Ritz/Shutterbug etc. Given the fact that Hoya HMC can be bought for under $20 at the above web site there is no reason to even consider an el cheapo Sunpak from Ritz at 2x the price.

There are a couple of reasons to prefer the B+W UV10 over the Hoya SHMC:
a) Better worksmanship
b) Glass does not rattle in the frame
c) Much, much, much easier to clean without streaking/smudging

To those that will say that putting ANY clear-glass filter in front of a lens degrades the image and/or can cause flare - sure, no arguments here. However, this is not what this thread is about.

lanef said:

Can you fit a filter on the 12-24 without getting vignetting?

Click to expand...

Yes! Initially not to take any chances, this was the reason for me to purchase the Nikon NC filter, which is a semi-slim model. In terms of thickness, it fits in between the B+W standard and slim filters, yet offering the possibliliy to mount the Nikon cap. I believe the B+W slim line filters do not have threads but I may be mistaken.

Cheers - Herman

--------------
My motto: To learn more today, than I did yesterday!

UV filters have been optically redundant for colour work for over a quarter of a century. You mention "inexpensive" - here is Nikon's opinion

http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nikoneurope_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_cv=&p_pv=2.545&p_prods=544%2C545&p_cats=&p_hidden_prods=&p_page=1&p_new_search=1&prod_lvl1=544&p_sid=8E1UTaUi&p_lva=&p_li=&p_accessibility=&prod_lvl2=545&prod_lvl3=0&p_search_text=Filter
--
Leonard Shepherd
Using cameras well and good results are usually synonymous

On one lens I have a B+W, on the other a Tiffen.

Personally I never use UV filters and I don't care for the transparent lens cap use of such filters. In forty years of shooting everything from Minox to 4x5 Cambo I've never scratched or damaged the front element of a lens. I've always felt that two more air to glass surfaces in the optical pipeline was not worth it. A good lens hood seems to offer as much protection as a filter. From time to time I will use a polarizer or with film colour correction/compensating gel filters.

No doubt my prejudice dates back to my stint in photo retail back in the seventies.

We would sell a Canon AE 1 for about 10 bucks over cost and try and make some profit by adding in the sale of a couple of rolls of film and a UV or Skylight filter.

The markup on filters was so high we made more money on the sale of the filter than on the camera. Since then I've tended to view these filters as a waste of money.

However many people seem to feel differently on the subject so probably the best advice is to spend the money for a quality filter from a reputable manufacturer.

Bain

cwmartin said:

the line)? What brands and models of filters do other people use?

Click to expand...

I only use Nikon NC filters

--
JC