Pentax 12-24mm for birthday, WooHoo! Filter?

**Biff** · 03-06-2011, 08:01 PM

Howdy-

I just got an amazing birthday gift, the 12-24! I'm stoked.

My question is, when I used to use other systems I always kept on a filter, but now with Pentax and my other lenses I haven't, given the newer lens coatings, etc.

Now, looking at the larger front element of the 12-24 I'm wondering if I should get one for protection, but I absolutely don't want to noticeably affect the image quality of this fine lens. But at the same time with this nice hunk of glass out there I don't want to put it at risk.

Any thoughts or experience is greatly appreciated.

Ubuntu_user · 03-06-2011, 08:28 PM

Yeah, there's a lot of buffs around here who don't believe in filters... I use to be one of them. But now I keep a filter on my DA* 16-50mm for protection.

If you're going to get a filter, the best is a Hoya UV(0) or Hoya Pro1 d

Pentaxor · 03-06-2011, 08:56 PM

maybe a cheap $10 77mm CPL. if you are going to use a filter for protection, might as well make it dual purpose.

SpecialK · 03-06-2011, 09:00 PM

No filter. Hood always, cap when not actually shooting.

imtheguy · 03-06-2011, 09:12 PM

If you get a protection filter, get a good multi-coated one. The cheap ones WILL show flare at times when good ones do not. I did some head-to-head testing with my DA15mm Ltd. to verify this. No $10 protection for me unless I'm in salt water spray with no other options.

Adam · 03-06-2011, 09:18 PM

The 12-24 gets a lot of flare with filters, I've found. The front element has super-protect coating, so I wouldn't use a filter with this lens (the hood offers plenty of protection in case you were to drop it).

Jewelltrail · 03-06-2011, 09:36 PM

I am from the No-Filter School: for lens protection. I do use 3 filters on my lenses (NDs, ND Grads & Polarizers) as the situation calls for them, to enhance a scene. I agree the hood provides nice protection.

**Biff** · 03-06-2011, 09:43 PM

Thanks everyone for the responses. I greatly appreciate the points of view and information.

I've enjoyed being filter free with my Pentax lenses and have always used a hood anyway, so that's the direction I'll probably head with the 12-24 as well.

vincechu · 03-06-2011, 10:09 PM

totally agree with what's been said above, however I use a filter on my 31ltd which is my pride and joy because I find the hoods pretty small and not very protective - I also occasionally put filters on my other lenses if I think I need the extra protection depending on the outing

**blackcloudbrew** · 03-06-2011, 10:46 PM

Congratulations on this fine lens acquisition. I have had one for a year and a half. It is a great lens and focal length range. With respect to filters. The only one I've used on mine is a CPL. You will get some vignetting around 12mm with any filter on the lens. I can say though that over the past half year I've really come to see that no filters are needed on this lens. Furthermore, with a CPL you will get somewhat odd looking skies at times because of the wide field of vision, part will be dark and part will not. Consequently, I've been going with out any filters on it now.

benjikan · 03-07-2011, 12:32 PM

I am using a HAMA Multi Coated UV Filter on mine. I would never expose the front element to the elements. I get zero vignetting.

vespats · 03-07-2011, 12:51 PM

slim, very important.

Great brands for filters are (incomplete list):
b&w - great glass and brass filter holder
heliopan - great glass and brass filter holder
hoya - great glas but aluminium filter holder (tends to jam more easily in the thread)

but - if benjikan uses a hama filter, there is definetely nothing to say against that

**Biff** · 03-07-2011, 01:59 PM

I've recently always used B+W and can't seem to find HAMA.

Does anyone know if the B+W is as thin and also doesn't vingette?

SylBer · 03-07-2011, 07:27 PM

I use a Hoya super thin (3mm) UV(0) filter on mine. I haven't noticed any difference in vigneting and protects the front element very well.

aleonx3 · 03-07-2011, 07:37 PM

This is the lens that I recommend using a filter to protect the front glass element as it is bulging out and could be subject to harsh environment more so than flat glass such as strong wind. I also recommend using the best thin filter to avoid vignetting; I have the B+W UV filter on this one.

Also, since I use the 12-24mm quite frequently when I travel, that makes it very vulnerable to windy (mountain) and salty moist air (beach) conditions. On the other hand, I don't use filters on my DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm lenses.

03-06-2011, 08:01 PM	#1
Biff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Photos: Albums Posts: 1,081	Pentax 12-24mm for birthday, WooHoo! Filter? Howdy- I just got an amazing birthday gift, the 12-24! I'm stoked. My question is, when I used to use other systems I always kept on a filter, but now with Pentax and my other lenses I haven't, given the newer lens coatings, etc. Now, looking at the larger front element of the 12-24 I'm wondering if I should get one for protection, but I absolutely don't want to noticeably affect the image quality of this fine lens. But at the same time with this nice hunk of glass out there I don't want to put it at risk. Any thoughts or experience is greatly appreciated.

03-06-2011, 09:18 PM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The 12-24 gets a lot of flare with filters, I've found. The front element has super-protect coating, so I wouldn't use a filter with this lens (the hood offers plenty of protection in case you were to drop it). Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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03-06-2011, 08:28 PM	#2
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	Yeah, there's a lot of buffs around here who don't believe in filters... I use to be one of them. But now I keep a filter on my DA* 16-50mm for protection. If you're going to get a filter, the best is a Hoya UV(0) or Hoya Pro1 d

03-06-2011, 08:56 PM	#3
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	maybe a cheap $10 77mm CPL. if you are going to use a filter for protection, might as well make it dual purpose.

03-06-2011, 09:00 PM	#4
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	No filter. Hood always, cap when not actually shooting.

03-06-2011, 09:12 PM	#5
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	If you get a protection filter, get a good multi-coated one. The cheap ones WILL show flare at times when good ones do not. I did some head-to-head testing with my DA15mm Ltd. to verify this. No $10 protection for me unless I'm in salt water spray with no other options.

03-06-2011, 09:36 PM	#7
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	I am from the No-Filter School: for lens protection. I do use 3 filters on my lenses (NDs, ND Grads & Polarizers) as the situation calls for them, to enhance a scene. I agree the hood provides nice protection.

03-06-2011, 09:43 PM	#8
Biff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Photos: Albums Posts: 1,081 Original Poster	Thanks everyone for the responses. I greatly appreciate the points of view and information. I've enjoyed being filter free with my Pentax lenses and have always used a hood anyway, so that's the direction I'll probably head with the 12-24 as well.

03-06-2011, 10:09 PM	#9
vincechu Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 74	totally agree with what's been said above, however I use a filter on my 31ltd which is my pride and joy because I find the hoods pretty small and not very protective - I also occasionally put filters on my other lenses if I think I need the extra protection depending on the outing

03-06-2011, 10:46 PM	#10
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Congratulations on this fine lens acquisition. I have had one for a year and a half. It is a great lens and focal length range. With respect to filters. The only one I've used on mine is a CPL. You will get some vignetting around 12mm with any filter on the lens. I can say though that over the past half year I've really come to see that no filters are needed on this lens. Furthermore, with a CPL you will get somewhat odd looking skies at times because of the wide field of vision, part will be dark and part will not. Consequently, I've been going with out any filters on it now.

03-07-2011, 12:32 PM	#11
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	I am using a HAMA Multi Coated UV Filter on mine. I would never expose the front element to the elements. I get zero vignetting.

03-07-2011, 12:51 PM	#12
vespats Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 128	slim, very important. Great brands for filters are (incomplete list): b&w - great glass and brass filter holder heliopan - great glass and brass filter holder hoya - great glas but aluminium filter holder (tends to jam more easily in the thread) but - if benjikan uses a hama filter, there is definetely nothing to say against that

03-07-2011, 01:59 PM	#13
Biff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Photos: Albums Posts: 1,081 Original Poster	I've recently always used B+W and can't seem to find HAMA. Does anyone know if the B+W is as thin and also doesn't vingette?

03-07-2011, 07:27 PM	#14
SylBer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Quebec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 210	I use a Hoya super thin (3mm) UV(0) filter on mine. I haven't noticed any difference in vigneting and protects the front element very well.

03-07-2011, 07:37 PM	#15
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	This is the lens that I recommend using a filter to protect the front glass element as it is bulging out and could be subject to harsh environment more so than flat glass such as strong wind. I also recommend using the best thin filter to avoid vignetting; I have the B+W UV filter on this one. Also, since I use the 12-24mm quite frequently when I travel, that makes it very vulnerable to windy (mountain) and salty moist air (beach) conditions. On the other hand, I don't use filters on my DA* 16-50mm and 50-135mm lenses.