Lens Filters

[lambchops511]

I plan on picking up some lens filter to protect my lenses from dust and scratches...

I am going to pickup a UV filter and I think a polarizer filter as well

anything specific i should look for? Hoya? Bower? B+W?

does brand matter? are the cheap generic ebay ones good enough?


thanks

 

[soydios]

I would avoid the cheap eBay ones. you're putting another piece of glass between your subject and the sensor, hence it becomes part of the optical formula and should be of appropriately good quality. all I've bought are Hoya because they seem to provide the best balance between cost and quality.

two notes:
(1) be sure to buy multi-coated filters. the metal-oxide filter coatings unfortunately make it easier to collect grime (dust, fingerprints, condensation), but prevent reflections and flare in your images, resulting in better contrast and saturation than an uncoated filter.
(2) be sure to buy a circular polarizing filter. the first piece takes the light and polarizes it, while the second piece re-scatters it. you get the same effect, but the phase-detect AF systems in most DSLRs (which detect which direction the focus is off in though some wizardry involving polarization) and imaging sensors will work reliably.

 

[lambchops511]

thanks,

for the circular polarizing filter.....will it still be fine if the front of my lens rotate? ie. the cheaper lenses without the IF, will it screw up the polarize? or is that only for linear polarizing?

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: aznium
thanks,

for the circular polarizing filter.....will it still be fine if the front of my lens rotate? ie. the cheaper lenses without the IF, will it screw up the polarize? or is that only for linear polarizing?

the front of the lens rotating will make things more annoying, but is no more than a minor inconvenience. you adjust the polarizer by rotating it, but if the front of your lens rotates then it obviously changes what you had set. so, to work around this, you'll have to focus first, and then set the polarizer to whatever orientation you want. fortunately, the varying effects of a polarizer is easy to see looking through the lens.

 

[lambchops511]

i see canon has some filters too .... would they be "better"

what should i look for in third party filters.... i read some of the cheap ones won't let me put a lens hood on afterwards....would all the hoya for canon ones let me put a lens hood afterwards?

thanks

 

[WalkingDead]

go to www.2filter.com and check out the info they have online about the difference between various brand of filters.

In general, I like Hoya. I think it is a very good value for its coated white glass construction. Just two things to watch out for Hoya: due to its coatings, you need to follow the instruction on how to clean them and use the right cleaning solutions. Also stay away from the Hoya's el cheapo Green glass line of uncoated filters. The Hoya Green glass line is not made for the US market but there some crappy vendors and eBay sellers import them.

B+W is good too but you have to pay the German price for them.

 

[TheDrake]

I have been checking out filters, are the Hoyo Pro 1 digital filters good for the price? Looking to get a protector and a CP for right now and was wondering if I should grab some of the Pro 1 D's or wait for the Hoyo HD's to come out as they are supposed to be much better right? Someone correct me on this, thanks!

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: TheDrake
I have been checking out filters, are the Hoyo Pro 1 digital filters good for the price? Looking to get a protector and a CP for right now and was wondering if I should grab some of the Pro 1 D's or wait for the Hoyo HD's to come out as they are supposed to be much better right? Someone correct me on this, thanks!

I have all Pro 1's and they work very well. No noticeable drop in sharpness at all.

 

[Kelvrick]

www.hvstar.com has some good prices, so check there.