FILTER QUALITY

[ronald_l._vandevander]

I know this is a wide-open question but I'd like to know MFD

readers' opinions. My question is:

 

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In terms of quality of construction and clarity (lack of distortion),

which manufacturer makes the best camera filters?

 

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I realize that some photographers prefer to not use filters, but

in some cases they can be beneficial.

 

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Thanks for your help.

 

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Ron VanDevander

Fairfax, Virginia (U.S.A.)

ronvan@attmail.com

[jim_chow]

I use both heliopan (made by Rodenstock in Germany) and B+W ([schneider] both

multi-coated and single coated B+W). While I can definitely see a difference in the

multi-coated vs. single coated filters (with the multi-coated 95mm B+W UV, you can't tell there's even a filter on without

looking closely, while the single coated filters are obviously visible). As far as image

quality goes, I don't think there's any difference. I use both brands on my zeiss/schneider

lenses and can't decipher any distortion through the loupe. At night, I prefer to go with

no filter provided the weather is benign (no wind, dust storms, rain, etc.). THe pro who

sits near me says he prefers a hood w/ no filter, but says to ALWAYS use a hood if there's

one made for that lens.

 

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I do have a tiffen polarizer for another camera, and , boy, is it flare prone. I don't mean

a little reflection around the edges, I mean bright orange flare right across the center

of the image, making cropping impossible. IMHO, tiffen is really junk. I hear their colored

glass filters are really some colored liquid sandwiched in between two pieces of glass.

[andre_hassid]

I have not had the same experience with Tiffen filters. I've used Hoya, Tiffen, Pentax, B & W, and other filters. I find they all work fine. No flare, no perceptible distortion or loss of sharpness. Shutterbug recently had an article comparing various filter brands. As I recall they found that none of the filters affected picture quality. I think this is one of those areas, that people allow their wallets rather than their eyes to influence their opinions.

[michael_canter]

I own a variety of filters (B+W, Hasselblad, Zeiss (Softar), Tiffen,

Kenko, & more), including some Tiffens that are older than I am (I

inherited them from my dad). I have no complaints with any of my

GLASS filters in METAL mounts. (I have had problems with plastic

(resin, acrylic) filters and really cheap plastic mounting rings.)

I've found that multicoating can make a difference, especially on

light coloured filters. I've had no consistent or repeatable trouble

with flare with any single brand of filter, although I have had a

(Hasselblad) polariser delaminate. It is interesting to note that

while most Tiffen filters are made in their own factory in New York,

their Circular Polariser is made by a subcontractor in Japan.

 

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The "liquid in glass" story is interesting (I was taught to not

believe anything that you hear and only half of what you see) but it

is true that some filters (particularly subtle colours) have been made

by sandwiching Wratten gels between two sheets of optical glass.

 

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One possible advantage to Heliopan & B+W filters are their brass mounts

which may be less prone to jamming when stacked or used with adaptors.

Again, I've never personally had that problem (touch wood...).

[bob_salomon]

"I use both heliopan (made by Rodenstock in Germany)"

 

Thank you for your support but while Heliopan makes

Rodenstock's filters, as well as Linhof's, Rollei's, Minox's, etc.

they are nt owned by or part of Rodenstock.

 

Heliopan is owned totally by the Summer family.

[dan_brown1]

I have used many filters and have finally settled on the Hoya 'HMC' multi-coated filters. I believe they are the sweet spot in value. In comparing a Hoya HMC with a standard B+W, the Hoya seems superior in terms of flare resistance, and I cannot detect better optical performance with the B+W Schott glass. Granted, a B+W multi-coated would probably be better, but the price difference is so great and the gains so slight, if at all. It is kind of like comparing Hasselblad lenses with Mamiya lenses. Are they really better, or just mythical? Hard call, for sure.

[tim_brown]

I'm another fan of Hoya HMC filters. But I think it's most important to get multicoated filters whenever possible, regardless of brand.

[bob_salomon]

Multi coating has become a buzz word.

 

One major Japanese maker of filters makes a multicoated filter

with no coatings on one side. A German maker has reduced the

number of coatings per side and calls that an improved multi

coating.

 

Some consumers tell us that a filter coated on both sides is

multi coated since it has more then one coat.

 

In the case of Heliopan MC filters we use 14 layers, 7 per side,

rather then our standard coating of one per side.

 

These extra coatings marginally improve the amount of light that

is transmitted through the filter compared to the standard

coatings but add considerably to the expense of the filter.

 

In addition MC coatings on a plane parallel filter surface tend to

"pile up" in the center compared to the edges and will wear down

unevenly over time from cleaning thus resulting in a more

expensive filter with shorter life than a properly coated filter using

standard coatings.

 

It is also important to remember that coatings can ruin the efect

of some speciality filters. Soft focus filters, diffussion filters, fog

filters, cross star filters, etc. will all lose their effectivness if

coated.

 

The most important things to look for are quality glass, good

mountss, coating where necessary, consistency in quality,

flatness of the filter, etc.

 

The number of coatings per side is not necessarily of the

greatest importance.

[danny_de_dios1]

My 2 cents. Heliopan manuals says for their standard uv (not the mc) that it is coated double per side. I guess their standard filter is one step better than the mono coated filters.

[bob_salomon]

That is not what Heliopan means by "double hard coated".

 

Double hard coated means coated on both sides. Not double

coated on both sides.

 

Heliopan's MC has changed since most brochures were printed.

 

Their old MC was 7 layers per side.

 

The new SH-PMC MC is 8 layers per side.

 

The old MC was available on UV and skylights. The new coating

is available on almost any filter that benefits by coating.

 

The new coating is much flatter, is more effective in flare

reduction, is much harde so easier to clean and replels

moisture and dust to keep them cleaner.

[fotograf]

I believe both Heliopan and B+W use ground glass from high quality source, whereas other brands just "cut out" the glass and put on the coatings. Heliopan and B+W are considered the finest filters in the world, and not just because of the glass and multi-coatings, but also other factors as well.