Filters and lens hood for 12-50mm on OMD EM5

Any recommendations? I like the idea of UV and Polarizer but there are so many on Amazon and so many different prices I'm unsure what to go for.

I understand a UV filter protects the lens and reduces glare/haze and a Polarizer reduces contrast between sky/sea and reduces reflections. If I have the UV filter would I still require a lens hood?

Thanks.

Chris

roperc3 said:

roperc3 wrote:

Any recommendations? I like the idea of UV and Polarizer but there are so many on Amazon and so many different prices I'm unsure what to go for.

I understand a UV filter protects the lens and reduces glare/haze and a Polarizer reduces contrast between sky/sea and reduces reflections. If I have the UV filter would I still require a lens hood?

Thanks.

Chris

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You have a few options with everything.

For the protective filter. I recommend a clear NON-UV version. The UV was more for film based cameras. It won't hurt anything, and the clear filter or NC some call it is fine.

I highly suggest a Multi-Coated filter no matter what.

The other side of the coin is some say it interferes with the quality of the image. They say its a gimmick to make the retailer money and is another piece of glass you do not need to add to the lens.

I personally disagree, I have used protective filters for 20 years plus years and have zero complaints and I am very critical.

Now others say just use the lens hood to protect the lens and while that is true I also use the clear multi-coated filter (non-UV).

I use the lens hood rarely unless I getting unwanted glare thats a problem getting the shot. Remember you need room in your camera bag for the lens hoods girth. They can be reversed on the lens too, but it can make it harder to zoom the lens if its for a zoom lens.

The polarizer can be the Circular variety or Linear. Linear costs less money. Circular are for or were for the advanced autofocus cameras vs the manual film cameras as that switch was occurring. However, the Circular is fine. Buy both an do your own test.

Remember the polarizer will NOT always WORK. It depends where the SUN is in relation to the lens/camera. You can see the immediate effect or lack of it.

*Some multi-coated filters are also classified as SLIM with no front threads. Some RETAIN threads and you have to read and understand the spec's of said filter regardless what it is for these aside.

IMO spend money on a filter in relation to the cost of the lens. Not that anything is really overkill, but for the Panasonic 35-100 2.8 or 12-35 2.8 the Heliopan or B&W filters are top notch. Heliopan a first choice. You can spend alot on B&W too, they have polarizer filters that can cost $50 to well over $150. Depends on size etc.

Hoya and Tiffen are good.

To Sum you can use a protective filter, recommending multi-coated and the lens hood at the same time.

**If the filter has no threads you can not attach a lens cap or stack filters and depending may have trouble with the hood.

Use B&H Photo for reference they have everything in on place. In the search box just put XX mm filter where XX is the filter diameter and then drill down options.

roperc3 said:

roperc3 wrote:

Any recommendations? I like the idea of UV and Polarizer but there are so many on Amazon and so many different prices I'm unsure what to go for.

I understand a UV filter protects the lens and reduces glare/haze and a Polarizer reduces contrast between sky/sea and reduces reflections. If I have the UV filter would I still require a lens hood?

Thanks.

Chris

Click to expand...

Filters will do you no good if there is flare, you need a hood for that, and the 12-50 is horribly flare-prone if the sun is anywhere near the field of view where you are shooting. Unfortunately, the Olympus recommended hood helps very little as well since the hood they sell for the 12-50 is also the hood for the superwide 9-18 M. Zuiko, so the hood is made to allow for the clearance of a 9mm superwide lens, which does a 12-50 focal length range very little good. If there was a hood designed specifically for the 12-50 it would offer better coverage, but there is not.

I am using a Nikon HN-2 hood, which is designed for a 24mm wide angle lens, screws into the filter threads of the 12-50 and does a better job than the Olympus hood.

Gregm61 said:

Gregm61 wrote:

Gregm61 said:

roperc3 wrote:

Any recommendations? I like the idea of UV and Polarizer but there are so many on Amazon and so many different prices I'm unsure what to go for.

I understand a UV filter protects the lens and reduces glare/haze and a Polarizer reduces contrast between sky/sea and reduces reflections. If I have the UV filter would I still require a lens hood?

Thanks.

Chris

Click to expand...

Filters will do you no good if there is flare, you need a hood for that, and the 12-50 is horribly flare-prone if the sun is anywhere near the field of view where you are shooting. Unfortunately, the Olympus recommended hood helps very little as well since the hood they sell for the 12-50 is also the hood for the superwide 9-18 M. Zuiko, so the hood is made to allow for the clearance of a 9mm superwide lens, which does a 12-50 focal length range very little good. If there was a hood designed specifically for the 12-50 it would offer better coverage, but there is not.

I am using a Nikon HN-2 hood, which is designed for a 24mm wide angle lens, screws into the filter threads of the 12-50 and does a better job than the Olympus hood.

--
"There's shadows in life, baby.." Jack Horner- Boogie Nights

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For a hood try Amazon and look for the JJC 9-18mm copy.

I don`t think the 12-50mm is that bad for flare, Sometimes I wish there was more

You buy an expensive lens, very fine glass, and then you want to put inferior glass in front of it. The hood should protect the lens. Unless you plan to drive nails with the lens, it should be fine. Remember, this is a sealed lens so keeping a soft lens brush and blower will be the best way to keep the front element clean and clear. Keep the hood on.

If you really want to put a filter on that lens, get a high quality clear 58mm filter. It will not interfere with the hood, so be sure to keep the hood on.

Sorry. I read the 12 - 50 as 12-35. I have no idea if a filter will allow a hood to be attached to that lens. The same advice applies. Do use a hood.

If I could go back in time and NOT get it, I would not get it.

Olympus do their own very high quality protective filters for all their lenses. I have the 17mm 1.8, 12-50mm, 60mm 2.8 macro and the 75mm 1.8, all with Olympus protective filters, multi-coated and made from the same high quality glass as the lenses they're protecting. Expensive, yes but worth it.