Protective Filter Preference

<p>I need a couple filters in 62mm and 72mm.</p>

<p>Anyway, I've usually gotten the Hoya UV multicoated ('MC'). But, wonder what the hive likes?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>hoya HMCs are good. if you want to go whole-hog, you can get the pricier B+W joints. optically, the glass is about the same but B+W use a brass ring for the metal parts which makes the on-off aspects of filter usage less fiddly. if you're just going to leave the filter on, i wouldn't bother. but if you switch out filters regularly from, say, UV to CPL to GND, B+W makes more sense, i suppose.</p>

<p>I generally don't use protective filters, only use them in risky situations like spray or blowing sand.<br>

You can expect to hear from both camps, the "neves" and the "always".</p>

<p>I use Hoya HMC too, and they work fine for me. All the reviews I've read also indicate that they are pretty good.</p>

<p>Hmmm... I've voiced my opinion on this subject many times...</p>

<p>My protective filter is the lens cap when not shooting and the lens hood when shooting. Only when shooting at the beach or in the desert will I add an extra piece of glass to my lenses for protection.</p>

<p>OTOH, a nice CPL is something I always carry with me...</p>

<p>I'm in the "no" camp...Any glass in the optical path that isn't part of the original design is going to have an impact on the IQ, no matter how small it may seem...</p>

<p>I'm in the always camp, but like Scott said I realizes it degrades glass quality. I try to help alleviate the situation somewhat by always using high quality multi-coated filters.</p>

<p>I always remove filters in a studio setting or when shooting into the sun since they're pretty prone to flaring.</p>

<p>I'm in the almost always camp. It has saved my bacon and other optical properties too many times. Sometimes I take it off if the situation absolutely has to be the sharpest it can be, though I still don't think I can tell any difference.</p>

<p>I you want zero color alteration use Nikon NC, they are not too expensive. I use Hoya HMC and B+W, but my favourites are Nikon and Hoya in this order.</p>

<p>I think the question is 'which brand' as compared to <em>the eternal question</em>. I have a slew of Nikon L37c's and B+W UV filters but only a couple of Nikon NC's. None show a cast and all are easy to clean. I have noticed some of the B+W 'keeper rings' sometimes work loose. I also have a few Hoya HMC's and have no complaints. If altitude and film, esp b/w, is part of your equation, a UV can make a difference. I shoot b/w at altitude and can vouch for the improved IQ. There is a vast disparity of UV filtering-effectiveness amongst those touted as UV filters. As for the eternal question...</p>

B+W UVA MRC. Absolutely no image degradation. Two weeks ago it saved my pricey 35mm/1.4 Total

believer now.

I have them on some of the time. B+W for me.

<p>In these days I prefer Nikon's own NC filter; I have had one for a couple of years and just added two more. Prior to that, I had (and still have) a bunch of Nikon L37c filters.</p>

<p>Thanks everybody, I ordered a few Hoya HMC UV filters.</p>

<p>LOL, this comes up every month. So, here's my experience. So-called "protective" filter do nothing. I sometimes had shots ruined from flare/ghosting caused by them (yes, using B+W mrc.) I once had a lens ruined BECAUSE there was a filter on it. Lens dropped "face down," filter shattered and scratched up my lens. That almost happened again to me last week except this time I had the lens cap on: no damage. The older Nikon lenses had coatings that could scratch, but modern coatings are actually harder than glass. I've never had a single one get scratched, and I am very hard on lenses as an outdoor shooter. Filters just don't do anything, and are a risk to scratching the lens when they break. If I were to put a coated filter on all my better lenses, that would cost MORE than a repair. This makes NO sense at all. I used to use them, but then figured out how useless they really are. Read:<br>

<a href="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-feb-05.shtml">http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-feb-05.shtml</a><br>

Kent in SD</p>

<p>Filters protect the front element of the lens from scratches, dust, and fingerprints. Front elements have expensive coatings to improve image quality. If not cared for, these coatings can be damaged. Protective filters are much cheaper to replace than front elements, and much easier to clean.<br>

I use Hoya HMC Super, B+W, and Nikon filters on my lenses. Most are multi-coated. The front element on my lenses are pristine and as clean as they were when new because the filters protect them.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Filters just don't do anything</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Kent, this is just plain untrue. Filters are used by pros around the world for many different purposes. Just because you do not like filters doesn't mean you have to spread untruths about them. You can go on and not use filters on your lenses but don't spread propaganda about them to others on this list.</p>

<p>Dan Brown is asking which type and brand of protective filters he should get, not whether he should use them at all to begin with. If you choose to provide an answer, please respect the OP and answer his question, not to provide an off-topic answer just because that is what you would like to talk about.</p>

<p>I am in the camp that says that there are a dozen threads like this already in the database and, based on this one, there is not much new to say. :)</p>

<p>I always use uv filters on both my Nikon and medium format lenses - Hoya HMC, B+W or Nikon. I won't get into the issue of whether one should or not.</p>

<p>However, Hoya uv HMC can be designated (o), © or (n). I had understood that (o) is the best one, and I usually buy those. Does anyone know the difference - if any?</p>

<p>I always use a high end UV filter. It has always seemed silly to me to spend thousands on a state-of-the-art lens and then leave the glass to the mercy of the environment or worse, curious hands! One can argue about the possible degradation in images, but if you spend the bucks on a really good filter, there is nothing to worry about.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Dan Brown is asking which type and brand of protective filters he should get, not whether he should use them at all to begin with. If you choose to provide an answer, please respect the OP and answer his question, not to provide an off-topic answer just because that is what you would like to talk about.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>As one of the moderators here, may I remind everybody again that <strong>the topic here is not whether one should use protective filters or not</strong>?</p>

<p>If you wanted to put a filter on you lens, for protection, use a NC (Neutral Color ) filter. B+W or Nikon is highly recommended.</p>

<p>Shun; after I read your post on the Nikon NC filters, I went and looked at the prices. I was surprised at how reasonable they were, and that they were multi-coated. I thought Nikon only had expensive single coated filters.</p>

<p>But, my order had already shipped, so Hoya HMC it shall be for now. Next time, I'll go Nikon for sure...</p>

<p>The reason I am switching to Nikon NC filter is precisely that they have no color. The old L37c has a light yellow cast that should block some UV. I still use them but I prefer NC nowadays.</p>

<p>It is not all that difficult to make a flat piece of optical glass. I am quite certain that as long as you use multi-coated UV or NC filters, it makes little difference whether it is Hoya, B+W, or Nikon, etc. Unfortunately, a lot of people are programmed to debate such trivial differences that nobody should worry about.</p>

<p>Shun,</p>

<p>Perhaps you can answer the unanswerable question? If it is not all that difficult to make a piece of flat optical glass, why are filters so ridiculously expensive - at least in the UK. It used to be said that it was because the dealer margin was huge........</p>

<p>As I said before, I use Hoya HMC, B+W and Nikon uv filters. I must have at least 20. I've never noticed any difference in the quality of results. I usually buy mine (mint) used. Whatever of those three comes along at the right price, I buy.</p>