Filters - Good & Not Good Brands?

[Siglo6]

Hi, Newbie here but have been lurking for a week or two. About to buy Canon 550D & not sure which brands to go for UV & Polarising Filters.

Is it worth spending big on these, are there brands to avoid & others that are a lot better, if so what brands? I don't wanna spend heaps on them unless it's worthwhile, and have seen quite varying costs

Ta
Siglo6

[xecuta]

i was just thinking about the same thing. but since i have invested some money on the 70-200mm lens i think it is insulting getting the cheaper brand filter to protect it.

[Rick0r]

Every UV filter: Avoid.

You wouldn't put $40 plastic in front of your $2000 photochromic multi-focal prescription reading glasses, so why do it to your camera lens.

[talan]

I went Progear a couple of weeks back to buy some filters and got some good advice. There's no point putting crap filters on a nice lense. It's a bit like wearing glasses when you have perfect vision.

I would say at the minimum get Hoya. B+W is very good.

I was going to get a UV filter to protect my L lense. But ended with a B+W clear. Apparently UV filters have a slight yellow tinge and aren't very effective in NZ anyway.

[Redal]

If you have a lens hood, don't worry about a "protective filter"

The only time i put a filter on is when i need it , eg a polarizer filter , or when i know i will get dirt or water on the front of my lens.

[Siglo6]

Thanks, did a bit of googling & seems better to pay for quality. Think i'll go for a clear B+W & a polariser by Hoya or maybe save up for a B&W. I wanted a UV or Clear as I can be a bit clumsy so the protection would be good!!

Doesn't really make a lot of sense to me using a UV on Digital anyway? Would have thought the lighting meter could sort that out :rolleyes: not that I know much about it!

Xecuta - I found http://search.dpreview.com/?q=polarising+filter the DP Review fairly helpful as it has a lot of threads on the topic... didn't think to look there until this morning :p

[tomberkley]

so i have a hoya uv filter on one of my lenses all the time, do you think this is a waste of time? should i just use it when im out shooting landscape?

[xecuta]

i got a PL filters for my 18-200mm but i wont be doing much landscape with the 70-200mm so no need to get a PL for that. im going to order some Hoya or Kenko filter. its on my list to get along with a few other things.

[dusrkeric]

This page may help :)
http://www.lenstip.com/113.4-article-UV_filters_test_Description_of_the_results_and_sum mary.html

[talan]

This page may help :)
http://www.lenstip.com/113.4-article-UV_filters_test_Description_of_the_results_and_sum mary.html

Good link and interesting findings

[Siglo6]

Good link and interesting findings

Thanks, I ended up getting a B+W clear and a Hoyo Super Quality Pro1 CPL which I haven't used yet but hope to have a go of over the weekend! Glad I went for quality in the end... makes sense really. Oh and got them from Progear Akl.

will letcha know how it turns out :)

[Haim]

yeah i highly recommend B+W all my lenses have B+W MRC XSP Clear filters.... Will cost you alot... but they are the best of the best.

[talan]

Thanks, I ended up getting a B+W clear and a Hoyo Super Quality Pro1 CPL which I haven't used yet but hope to have a go of over the weekend! Glad I went for quality in the end... makes sense really. Oh and got them from Progear Akl.

will letcha know how it turns out :)

Exactly what I ended up with after visiting Progear. The guy must have told you EXACTLY the same thing... I think his name was Steven