choosing a filter for DA 12-24mm

weaponx525 · 03-26-2009, 08:16 PM

I will be the happy owner of a DA 12-24 mm lens soon but I would like to buy a filter to protect the front element. From what I have read the front element is slightly bulbous so I was wondering how "bulbous" is it and how do I choose a filter to match it so it doesn't damage the front. TIA.

jeffkpotter · 03-26-2009, 08:33 PM

It's not too bulbous at all. At least to me. I bought a Hoya HMC super multicoated UV filter, but I only use it now in extreme weather conditions. Like a windy day at the beach, etc. Actually I find that filters on extreme wide angles can degrade the quality so I leave it off most of the time. Why add an extra piece of glass to a lens that already has 13 carefully designed elements in 11 groups. Others may disagree. The huge lens shade is pretty good protection in itself.

Sean Nelson · 03-26-2009, 09:15 PM

As long as the glass doesn't protrude BEHIND the base of the threads on the filter ring you'll be fine. There aren't any plain filters I know of that do (although I can imagine that a close-up lens with a strong diopter rating could).

Optigrab · 03-27-2009, 01:14 AM

Congratulations on the new lens. I just purchased a 12-24mm myself. Prodigital threw in a Cokin UV filter with the lens and it went on immediately. Seems nice enough. I'm not very concerned about degrading the optics. Compared to my primes, the front element seemed rather large and not nearly as recessed. Also, I've a four-year old with an uncanny ability to touch things in exactly the worst way possible - always the front element or eyepiece, never the lens barrel or camera body.

**WRB** · 03-27-2009, 01:36 AM

i use a digital slim filter.

benjikan · 03-27-2009, 01:39 AM

I am using a HAMA HR UV filter on my 12-24 and it works just fine. I leave it on at all times.

gemini · 03-27-2009, 03:26 AM

Hoya UV pro1 S-Hmc (black label). it is slim.

RBellavance · 03-27-2009, 04:50 AM

I have a Sigma EX 77mm UV filter on mine, and I haven't noticed any extreme vignetting.

weaponx525 · 03-27-2009, 05:56 AM

thank you for all the helpful suggestions. it sounds like almost any 77 mm should be fine

jeffkpotter · 03-27-2009, 05:36 PM

Originally posted by weaponx525

thank you for all the helpful suggestions. it sounds like almost any 77 mm should be fine

Not all filters are created equal.

weaponx525 · 03-27-2009, 06:01 PM

jeff your probably right. I'll probably stick with a brand name like Hoya or B&W.

03-26-2009, 08:16 PM	#1
weaponx525 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 138	choosing a filter for DA 12-24mm I will be the happy owner of a DA 12-24 mm lens soon but I would like to buy a filter to protect the front element. From what I have read the front element is slightly bulbous so I was wondering how "bulbous" is it and how do I choose a filter to match it so it doesn't damage the front. TIA.

03-27-2009, 01:36 AM	#5
WRB Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 117	expensive but i use a digital slim filter.

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03-26-2009, 08:33 PM	#2
jeffkpotter Guest	It's not too bulbous at all. At least to me. I bought a Hoya HMC super multicoated UV filter, but I only use it now in extreme weather conditions. Like a windy day at the beach, etc. Actually I find that filters on extreme wide angles can degrade the quality so I leave it off most of the time. Why add an extra piece of glass to a lens that already has 13 carefully designed elements in 11 groups. Others may disagree. The huge lens shade is pretty good protection in itself.

03-26-2009, 09:15 PM	#3
Sean Nelson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 353	As long as the glass doesn't protrude BEHIND the base of the threads on the filter ring you'll be fine. There aren't any plain filters I know of that do (although I can imagine that a close-up lens with a strong diopter rating could).

03-27-2009, 01:14 AM	#4
Optigrab Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY U.S.A. Posts: 33	Congratulations on the new lens. I just purchased a 12-24mm myself. Prodigital threw in a Cokin UV filter with the lens and it went on immediately. Seems nice enough. I'm not very concerned about degrading the optics. Compared to my primes, the front element seemed rather large and not nearly as recessed. Also, I've a four-year old with an uncanny ability to touch things in exactly the worst way possible - always the front element or eyepiece, never the lens barrel or camera body.

03-27-2009, 01:39 AM	#6
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	I am using a HAMA HR UV filter on my 12-24 and it works just fine. I leave it on at all times.

03-27-2009, 03:26 AM	#7
gemini Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 256	Hoya UV pro1 S-Hmc (black label). it is slim.

03-27-2009, 04:50 AM	#8
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	I have a Sigma EX 77mm UV filter on mine, and I haven't noticed any extreme vignetting.

03-27-2009, 05:56 AM	#9
weaponx525 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 138 Original Poster	thank you for all the helpful suggestions. it sounds like almost any 77 mm should be fine

03-27-2009, 05:36 PM	#10
jeffkpotter Guest	Originally posted by weaponx525 thank you for all the helpful suggestions. it sounds like almost any 77 mm should be fine Not all filters are created equal.

03-27-2009, 06:01 PM	#11
weaponx525 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 138 Original Poster	jeff your probably right. I'll probably stick with a brand name like Hoya or B&W.