Best UV filter to protect front element

rena · 06-21-2013, 05:44 AM

Just bought a beautiful DA*200 f/2.8 from a seller on this forum and I need to invest in a quality 77mm UV filter to protect the front element. Looking at various brands online and I'm looking for some guidance as to which brand is best to complement my new lens. What's your favourite and why. I welcome your response.

Rena

stormtech · 06-21-2013, 05:48 AM

Unless you are shooting in a very harsh environment (salt water or sand spray), why would you want to degrade the image quality of such a fine lens with a filter?

Use the hood.

rena · 06-21-2013, 05:51 AM

Originally posted by stormtech

Unless you are shooting in a very harsh environment (salt water or sand spray), why would you want to degrade the image quality of such a fine lens with a filter?

Use the hood.

I live beside the ocean with lots of salt spray and fine powdery sand. I plan to shoot a great deal near the water, especially later this summer when hurricane season kicks into high gear in my area.

stormtech · 06-21-2013, 05:58 AM

Originally posted by rena

I live beside the ocean with lots of salt spray and fine powdery sand. I plan to shoot a great deal near the water, especially later this summer when hurricane season kicks into high gear in my area.

Makes perfect sense then. I'll let some others chime in since I don't have any experience with filters at all.

Actually sounds like an exciting shooting experience!

psychdoc · 06-21-2013, 06:01 AM

Here is a review. Slightly old but still:

UV filters test - Introduction - Lenstip.com

siamthai · 06-21-2013, 06:20 AM

I have a Hoya HD filter UV Digital in my bag that I'll use, I think it's a good filter. Mostly shoot without it since the hood give enough protection for my lens most of the time.

goubejp · 06-21-2013, 06:24 AM

I have experienced some quality image improvement using a B&W UV filter coupled with long tele lenses (FA*400 and FA*600) used in harsh light situation (birding on seaside...). May be the relatively old optical design and coatings of these lenses doesn't block the UV.

Na Horuk · 06-21-2013, 06:32 AM

something that won't bend and get stuck on your lens' filter ring

Tanzer · 06-21-2013, 07:44 AM

One purpose of UV filters was to limit the UV to which film was sensitive. Digital sensors are not sensitive to UV. So you might want to look at a clear filter, rather than a UV filter. I believe they are available with coatings too. This would also help avoid the warm color cast that all UV filters have, although with white balance, that is not so much of an issue as it was with film.

mrNewt · 06-21-2013, 07:47 AM

Best UV filter for digital era is called "hood"

As for taking pictures when a hurricane kicks in... I think you need more than a filter on your lens... even if your gear is weather proof.

abmj · 06-21-2013, 07:53 AM

Above +1.

Don't use a UV filter. Instead purchase an "Ultra Clear" protection filter. Hoya makes a good one. So do Tiffen and Marumi.

Example: Amazon.com: Tiffen 77mm Digital Ultra Clear Water White Protection Filter: Camera & Photo

Amazon.com: Hoya 77mm DMC PRO1 Clear Protector Digital Filter: Camera & Photo

steve1307 · 06-21-2013, 07:58 AM

Theres a Hoya HD which is promoted a pretty much indestructable.

You Tube

I prefer Filters with Brass ring thread so I go for B+W
I use their CPL, ND's and occasionally Clear Filters but only down at the ocean. If it's nice and sunny down near the ocean then CPL does everything.
Guess its not always sunny down at the ocean where you are though.

**tcbubbleleo** · 06-21-2013, 12:07 PM

I used B+W IR cut 486 filter on my normal Pentax prime, they were pricy, but it did seem give a tack sharpness to the CMOS sensor cameras (now I went back to use K10D not that much different in IQ quality,) moreover, it is not for wide angle (24mm or wider) lenses

bdery · 06-21-2013, 12:44 PM

All reports I've seen suggest that Marumi filters are the best bang for your buck. that being said, Hoya, Tiffen, Heliopan (if you've got too much money) or B+W (same comment) are all quite reliable. For a UV filter, even Promaster is good enough.

Ratmagiclady · 06-21-2013, 01:22 PM

For those gritty-salty conditions I'd probably not go overboard on price, actually, you might want a pretty nice one to not-think about and possibly a cheapie that you don't mind sacrificing if you *know* you're dealing with blowing sand. (Also if there's likely to be droplets on your lens, one reason to have spare filters is cause it's quicker than trying to clean them.

)

I'd avoid Heliopans for the purpose, historically they're optically very nice but the coatings are somewhat soft in order to accomplish this.

Definitely use that hood, though,

06-21-2013, 05:44 AM	#1
rena Closed Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Atlantic Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 25	Best UV filter to protect front element Just bought a beautiful DA*200 f/2.8 from a seller on this forum and I need to invest in a quality 77mm UV filter to protect the front element. Looking at various brands online and I'm looking for some guidance as to which brand is best to complement my new lens. What's your favourite and why. I welcome your response. Rena

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06-21-2013, 05:48 AM	#2
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Unless you are shooting in a very harsh environment (salt water or sand spray), why would you want to degrade the image quality of such a fine lens with a filter? Use the hood.

06-21-2013, 05:51 AM	#3
rena Closed Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Atlantic Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 25 Original Poster	Originally posted by stormtech Unless you are shooting in a very harsh environment (salt water or sand spray), why would you want to degrade the image quality of such a fine lens with a filter? Use the hood. I live beside the ocean with lots of salt spray and fine powdery sand. I plan to shoot a great deal near the water, especially later this summer when hurricane season kicks into high gear in my area.

06-21-2013, 05:58 AM	#4
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by rena I live beside the ocean with lots of salt spray and fine powdery sand. I plan to shoot a great deal near the water, especially later this summer when hurricane season kicks into high gear in my area. Makes perfect sense then. I'll let some others chime in since I don't have any experience with filters at all. Actually sounds like an exciting shooting experience!

06-21-2013, 06:01 AM	#5
psychdoc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bham Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 949	Here is a review. Slightly old but still: UV filters test - Introduction - Lenstip.com

06-21-2013, 06:20 AM	#6
siamthai Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Svealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 172	I have a Hoya HD filter UV Digital in my bag that I'll use, I think it's a good filter. Mostly shoot without it since the hood give enough protection for my lens most of the time.

06-21-2013, 06:24 AM	#7
goubejp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France Photos: Albums Posts: 804	I have experienced some quality image improvement using a B&W UV filter coupled with long tele lenses (FA400 and FA600) used in harsh light situation (birding on seaside...). May be the relatively old optical design and coatings of these lenses doesn't block the UV.

06-21-2013, 06:32 AM	#8
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	something that won't bend and get stuck on your lens' filter ring

06-21-2013, 07:44 AM	#9
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	One purpose of UV filters was to limit the UV to which film was sensitive. Digital sensors are not sensitive to UV. So you might want to look at a clear filter, rather than a UV filter. I believe they are available with coatings too. This would also help avoid the warm color cast that all UV filters have, although with white balance, that is not so much of an issue as it was with film.

06-21-2013, 07:47 AM	#10
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Best UV filter for digital era is called "hood" As for taking pictures when a hurricane kicks in... I think you need more than a filter on your lens... even if your gear is weather proof.

06-21-2013, 07:53 AM	#11
abmj Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Central California Posts: 600	Above +1. Don't use a UV filter. Instead purchase an "Ultra Clear" protection filter. Hoya makes a good one. So do Tiffen and Marumi. Example: Amazon.com: Tiffen 77mm Digital Ultra Clear Water White Protection Filter: Camera & Photo Amazon.com: Hoya 77mm DMC PRO1 Clear Protector Digital Filter: Camera & Photo

06-21-2013, 12:07 PM	#13
tcbubbleleo Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Temple City CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 726	I used B+W IR cut 486 filter on my normal Pentax prime, they were pricy, but it did seem give a tack sharpness to the CMOS sensor cameras (now I went back to use K10D not that much different in IQ quality,) moreover, it is not for wide angle (24mm or wider) lenses

06-21-2013, 12:44 PM	#14
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	All reports I've seen suggest that Marumi filters are the best bang for your buck. that being said, Hoya, Tiffen, Heliopan (if you've got too much money) or B+W (same comment) are all quite reliable. For a UV filter, even Promaster is good enough.

06-21-2013, 01:22 PM	#15
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	For those gritty-salty conditions I'd probably not go overboard on price, actually, you might want a pretty nice one to not-think about and possibly a cheapie that you don't mind sacrificing if you know you're dealing with blowing sand. (Also if there's likely to be droplets on your lens, one reason to have spare filters is cause it's quicker than trying to clean them. ) I'd avoid Heliopans for the purpose, historically they're optically very nice but the coatings are somewhat soft in order to accomplish this. Definitely use that hood, though,