Newbie question about filters

Hello -

I'm new to SLR cameras and want to buy a general purpose filter mainly to protect the front of the lens. I'm

figuring that a UV filter would be best. I surfed on over to B&H and brought up their selection of Hoya

filters which, I read somewhere, is a good brand. I brought up 52mm Hoya UV filters and see that they

range from $11.95 - $52.50. There's multi-coated, and super multi-coated, and digital multi-coated. Is

there a big difference between them? Is it just better glass in the more expensive ones, or are different UV

filters better for different applications? The descriptions don't really make it clear.

 

Thanks!

For protection of a SLR lens I'd buy the version with basic coating.

 

Better coating means less risk of flare or light loss. It surely is important in a zoom with a multitude of elements but a single filter doesn't count much. If you have a camera bag keep the filters container in it to screw it off, in undangerous situations when you need maximum quality and see lensflare in your viewfinder.

 

Keep in mind those filters are purchased as disposeables or softeners after they did their share of service. I wouldn't buy no filter twice as expensive as the used zoom I want to protect with it.

 

Nothing against Hoya optically but I prefer B+W for their brass mount.

UV filters are good for protection. It is simpler to remove fingerprints from a flat filter than from lens, and the filter is cheaper to replace after you detect the grain of sand between the glass and the cleaning tissue...

 

I got some multicoated Hoyas (and B+W filters too). Multicoated filters have better tolerance against flare than single coated ones. Super multicoated are even better but they cost A LOT and might be wasted money.

 

I have also got a feeling that UV filters help my D70 camera to expose correctly outdoors (esp. on hazy days).

 

If you get these aluminum framed Hoyas, then maybe you want to buy a matching size "filter wrench", too? Not expensive. It can be really frustrating to try to detach stuck filters - especially the aluminum/thin ones. With one or two of these plastic wonders, it is easier.

Nikon L37C if you can find it (try ebay).

 

B+W filters are also very good.

 

Those are the only two UV/protection filters I use.

A skylight filter will also serve the same purpose as a haze or UV filter. It will cutoff a little more UV and slightly "warm" the image. I prefer them to the standard UV filter, as the reduce the excess blueness of subjects in open shade.