What UV filter brands do you use?

You've made some really good come-backs to my diatribe.

What happens at my end is that I too frequently fail to
realize that most here on dpreivew are simply enthusiasts,
serious amateus, casual readers, etc.

Myself, as a full-time, starving-artist pro - I now find I
spend too much time here. In fact, dpreview is not only
becoming too much of a distraction for me & my work;
but I find (and no doubt everyone else does too) that
too much of my contributions are either not suited for
the general audience - or are too much pointed at my
own attempt for humor (which no doubt is often not
wanted either

But your points are well made: I'm frequently harsh on
my own equipment. I'm often found in positions where
things happen lightning fast - and being my own boss,
I must react equally fast. I've literally thrown down
cameras before to grab another or something else. I've
been in swimming pools without protective housings
(though I have a nice one) with the camera resting
merely on my submerged hand at the immediate top
of the water. I've done so many other wierd or stupid
things that I think the best answer for me is to have
a couple D3's

below is a fairly recent image of me in my 'element.'



m.

PhotoRecon said:

You've made some really good come-backs to my diatribe.

Click to expand...

M, I did not interpret your comments as a diatribe at all! Sorry if I come across a as defending myself or trying to be sarcastic. English is not my mother tang.

PhotoRecon said:

What happens at my end is that I too frequently fail to
realize that most here on dpreivew are simply enthusiasts,
serious amateus, casual readers, etc.

Click to expand...

And that is why we read posts from people like yourself. Informed and practitioners. I know I do make an effort to learn from other's advise, even if I am not a model student

PhotoRecon said:

Myself, as a full-time, starving-artist pro - I now find I
spend too much time here. In fact, dpreview is not only
becoming too much of a distraction for me & my work;
but I find (and no doubt everyone else does too) that
too much of my contributions are either not suited for
the general audience - or are too much pointed at my
own attempt for humor (which no doubt is often not
wanted either

Click to expand...

Re: spend time, I am with you. I should probably spend more time trying to improve my skills and less typing here. But as I said, I do try to learn as well.

As for advise not wanted, talking for myself, I can assure you that is not the case. In fact, I very much appreciate your effort and thank you for it and all those who make their contribution.

PhotoRecon said:

But your points are well made: I'm frequently harsh on
my own equipment. I'm often found in positions where
things happen lightning fast - and being my own boss,
I must react equally fast. I've literally thrown down
cameras before to grab another or something else. I've
been in swimming pools without protective housings
(though I have a nice one) with the camera resting
merely on my submerged hand at the immediate top
of the water. I've done so many other wierd or stupid
things that I think the best answer for me is to have
a couple D3's

below is a fairly recent image of me in my 'element.'



m.

Click to expand...

That is a very telling shot. It reminds me of a friend and pro who ones was commissioned to shoot an F-18 squadron fly-by in a rig like the one you show here. Little he knew (was not well briefed), that he would only have one chance at the passing-by fast planes. Thank goodness for continuos shooting mode!

--
Lito
D80 + Mac

LitoD80:

1. I usually find it better to check out most things for myself, or at least have the basic knowledge to form my own opinions ------ and, especially on controversial issues, such as use of filters.

2. The link below, will provide enough information for any user of Nikon filters to better make decisions for their use or non-use of such filters ---- also, be sure to check out the link to "For more information on Nikon Filters view page 26 in the Photographic Accessories guide ", that's located just at the bottom of the discussion:

http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=13987&p_created=1149087689&p_sid=U19VYFKi&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=9518&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9ODU2JnBfcHJvZHM9MCZwX2NhdHM9MCZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9Im5pa29uIGZpbHRlcnMi&p_li=&p_topview=1

--
BRJR ....(LOL, some of us are quite satisfied as Hobbyists ..)

Nicholas Sherman said:

Dear all,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

UV filters market is pure old fashioned marketing propaganda aimed
for people who do not know or do not understand how modern lenses are
manufactured.

Cheers,

Nicholas
--
Nicholas Sherman, ACS
e-mail: [email protected]
web: http://www.nsherman.info

Click to expand...

Hello Nicholas,

as a newbie it's great piece of information. I've never bought a Filter and I'll never buy an UV filter.

Thanks,
Carlos

Thank you BRJR. The day I stop learning will be a sad day. In the meantime, I stick my foot in my mouth once in a while.

Quoting Nikon: "Neutral Color NC Filters: Available in attachment sizes 39mm, 46mm, 52mm, 62mm, 72mm and 77mm, these neutral-color filters serve as lens protectors. They do not affect color balance. In addition, multilayer coating prevents light reflection inside the glass, thus improving color rendition."

This is good to know, because this could potentially mean better image quality with an NC on older lenses without MC.

What I also found interesting, is the available sizes... Some of their older and speciality lenses have filter threads outside those they produce.

--
Lito
D80 + Mac

julica said:

B+W $51
Hoya Super HMC $42
Hoya HMC $37

Click to expand...

The 2 Hoya options are cheaper because they are inferior. The best Hoya is Digital Pro 1.

CAUTION - check the light transmission of any UV - the Hoya Pro 1 UV stops blues shorter than 420 nm which means blues and some greens in landscapes are going to come out with wrong colours.

If you are going to use a Hoya filter (a decent one costs on average the same as insuring a lens for any damage and theft for 7-10 years) why not the Pro I Protector? If your retailer or e-bay source does not stock them regard the stock for what it is - historic garbage.
--
Leonard Shepherd

Practicing and thinking can do more for good photography than buying or consuming.

I use Hoya HMC on all of my lenses. Makes me feel better to clean a 30 Euro filter than the front element of my 1800 Euro lens....

In 20 years of (amateur) photography I had a lot of dirt on my "front end" - saltwater, beer and other things ~ also some drops which bent the filter thread - and not my lens. It just makes me feel save & protected somehow....

I got some drops of blood on the front of my lens from this dog.



I just wiped it off though & stuck the lens & filter back in his mouth.


m.

The softball that:

• cracked in half my lens sunshade (from the front all the way

back to the lens),

• shattered the glass plate on top of the lens (that houses the

lens's distance scale),

• and broke-open the skin on my forehead (there just above

the top of the camera body).



I did't know I was bleeding so badly until my hand began to slip
off the camera grip, as the camera body had become completely
covered with my own sticky, slimy blood (it was hard to see this
coated on the D2x camera as the blood was so dark on the black
metal & rubber - but it was not hard to tell it was all over the
place... And guess what? I later completely forgot to clean it off !

...Oops!

I hope to remember to clean the camera though if it's ever to
be sold on eBay .

I suppose I could have found a less unique place to photo these
corporate maintenance workers for a large, Atlanta based airline.
Perhaps I should have instead been in the grandstands with the
grandmothers & their doggies.

...nnnaaaahhh!


m.

LitoD80 :

1. And, also quite contrary to the views of just about all "self-appointed"

Nikon experts/including some "professional photographers" third party reviewers, that I have read statements/opinions from including in the dpreview forums,

2. In a previous message, you asked why does Nikon make the NC protective glass filter available with the lens ------ and, I listed one such example where they do, and that link showed the filter both attached to the lens and not attached.

3. Nikon, is also, including a Nikon NC Protective glass filter with each of it's new 400mm VR, 500mm VR and 600mm VR lenses; and, here is an example, of what Nikon is including with each of them, starting with the 600mm VR lens: (BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE TAB: "Item Includes", for each lens)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/520646-USA/Nikon_2173_Telephoto_AF_S_Nikkor_600mm.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/520642-USA/Nikon_2172_AF_S_Nikkor_500mm_f_4G.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/520639-USA/Nikon_2171_AF_S_Nikkor_400mm_f_2_8G.html

--
BRJR ....(LOL, some of us are quite satisfied as Hobbyists ..)

LitoD80 said:

Thank you BRJR. The day I stop learning will be a sad day. In the
meantime, I stick my foot in my mouth once in a while.

Quoting Nikon: "Neutral Color NC Filters: Available in attachment
sizes 39mm, 46mm, 52mm, 62mm, 72mm and 77mm, these neutral-color
filters serve as lens protectors. They do not affect color balance.
In addition, multilayer coating prevents light reflection inside the
glass, thus improving color rendition."

This is good to know, because this could potentially mean better
image quality with an NC on older lenses without MC.

What I also found interesting, is the available sizes... Some of
their older and speciality lenses have filter threads outside those
they produce.

--
Lito
D80 + Mac

Click to expand...

BRJR said:

3. Nikon, is also, including a Nikon NC Protective glass filter with
each of it's new 400mm VR, 500mm VR and 600mm VR lenses;

Click to expand...

In each case, what's described is a 52mm drop-in filter. It goes into a holder at the back of the lens, and acts as a placeholder when you are not using another filter.

I haven't seen these lenses yet, but the 52mm NC may act to block dust from reaching other elements or the aperture blades, but it provides exactly zero protection to the front elements.

Each of these lenses does have a non-removable meniscus protective element as part of its design, though.

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

I agree with the connotation of the drop-in.

My af-s II 300mm f/2.8 also has a drop-in
52mm Nikon NC filter. I've never considered
this as a protective filter though - but simply
as something Nikon graciously placed in the
filter holder for us until the time we need
to use something else.

I've never bothered to clean the front ele-
ment of my 300mm as I've been afraid I'll
leave cleaning marks of some sort.

... So basically, I simply let my photography
deteriorate as the front element continues
to get dirtier

m.

Michael Benveniste :

Well, for lenses you say you don't have; and, I assume from your comments, that you know little about --- how would you describe the "protective glass filter", that is listed for the lens below (similarly click on the "Items Included" Tab) -----

a 52mm drop-in filter holder is similarly provided, as for the Nikkor 400, 500, and 600mm VR lenses, I listed in my previous message ----- and, so you still say these are Nikon NC Protective Glass, "drop-in" filters, and not screw-on to front element filters ???

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300488-USA/Nikon_2146_200_400mm_f_4_G_AFS_ED_IF.html

--
BRJR ....(LOL, some of us are quite satisfied as Hobbyists ..)

Michael Benveniste said:

BRJR said:

3. Nikon, is also, including a Nikon NC Protective glass filter with
each of it's new 400mm VR, 500mm VR and 600mm VR lenses;

Click to expand...

In each case, what's described is a 52mm drop-in filter. It goes
into a holder at the back of the lens, and acts as a placeholder when
you are not using another filter.

I haven't seen these lenses yet, but the 52mm NC may act to block
dust from reaching other elements or the aperture blades, but it
provides exactly zero protection to the front elements.

Each of these lenses does have a non-removable meniscus protective
element as part of its design, though.

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

Click to expand...

BRJR said:

Well, for lenses you say you don't have; and, I assume from your
comments, that you know little about --- how would you describe the
"protective glass filter", that is listed for the lens below

Click to expand...

You mean the one listed as "112mm (Removable) Clear Front Element?" In the case of the 200-400mm, the front element is removable, but it's not a physically flat piece of glass like a filter. It's a meniscus.

BRJR said:

a 52mm drop-in filter holder is similarly provided, as for the Nikkor
400, 500, and 600mm VR lenses, I listed in my previous message -----
and, so you still say these are Nikon NC Protective Glass, "drop-in"
filters, and not screw-on to front element filters ???

Click to expand...

Yes. None of the current 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, OR 200-400mm don't have filter threads. Here are the links from Nikon's main site for each lens:

http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/zoom/af-s_vr_zoom200-400mmf_4g_if/index.htm

http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/telephoto/af-s_400mmf_28g_vr/index.htm

http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/telephoto/af-s_500mmf_4g_vr/index.htm

http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/telephoto/af-s_600mmf_4g_vr/index.htm

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

Oops. That should read: None of the current 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, OR 200-400mm have filter threads.
--
I miss the days when I used to be nostalgic.

Here's the link:

http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=9518&p_created=1080311566&p_sid=Ij4MJyUi&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=9518&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MjE0LDIxNCZwX3Byb2RzPTAmcF9jYXRzPTAmcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PU5pa29uIFByb3RlY3RpdmUgR2xhc3MgRmlsdGVy&p_li=&p_topview=1

--
BRJR ....(LOL, some of us are quite satisfied as Hobbyists ..)

Michael Benveniste said:

Oops. That should read: None of the current 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, OR
200-400mm have filter threads.
--
I miss the days when I used to be nostalgic.

Click to expand...

Michael Benveniste :

1. Well, to my eyes, I do see "Protective Glass Filters" on the front lens elements of all 4 of the lenses you supplied links to. Now, whether they are actually push-in or screw-in, I want know until I get my Nikkor 600mm VR lens ----- but, I will surely let those here know exactly the type protective glass filter, it is, at that time, unless someone else receives their lens & does so first,

2. I mean the "protective Glass" shown with the 200-400mm VR lens as seen in the two images, at the link below, and that Nikon refers to as a "filter", in this same illustration,

http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=9518&p_created=1080311566&p_sid=3tmIQyUi&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=9518&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MjE0LDIxNCZwX3Byb2RzPTAmcF9jYXRzPTAmcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PU5pa29uIFByb3RlY3RpdmUgR2xhc3MgRmlsdGVy&p_li=&p_topview=1

--
BRJR ....(LOL, some of us are quite satisfied as Hobbyists ..)

Michael Benveniste said:

BRJR said:

Well, for lenses you say you don't have; and, I assume from your
comments, that you know little about --- how would you describe the
"protective glass filter", that is listed for the lens below

Click to expand...

You mean the one listed as "112mm (Removable) Clear Front Element?"
In the case of the 200-400mm, the front element is removable, but
it's not a physically flat piece of glass like a filter. It's a
meniscus.

Michael Benveniste said:

a 52mm drop-in filter holder is similarly provided, as for the Nikkor
400, 500, and 600mm VR lenses, I listed in my previous message -----
and, so you still say these are Nikon NC Protective Glass, "drop-in"
filters, and not screw-on to front element filters ???

Click to expand...

Yes. None of the current 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, OR 200-400mm don't
have filter threads. Here are the links from Nikon's main site for
each lens:

http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/zoom/af-s_vr_zoom200-400mmf_4g_if/index.htm

http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/telephoto/af-s_400mmf_28g_vr/index.htm

http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/telephoto/af-s_500mmf_4g_vr/index.htm

http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/telephoto/af-s_600mmf_4g_vr/index.htm

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

Click to expand...

BRJR wrote:

That's the 112mm meniscus. It's removable on the 200-400mm, but I don't believe the meniscus is removable on the primes. Note the different language in Nikon's descriptions.

On a 600mm f/4, a front filter would be a minimum of 150mm in diameter.

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