Tikva Loc: Waukesha, WI

Can anyone provide me information of the quality of Promaster filters? That is the brand our local camera store carries. I would like to buy filters from them rather than ordering them just to support our local shop. If they are not a quality filter (they are priced as if they are good filters) then I will order from B&H.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I saw this on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_o75fgsb8U

PS - I see that Hoya make them for ProMaster

I read this too:

Promaster doesn't manufacture any products- its a marketing name, like Vivitar. So, Promaster filters have to come from somewhere and there are only a few filter manufacturers in the world. Like your store's salesperson, my best guess would be that Promaster coated filters are made by Hoya- i.e. they don't appear to be made by Nikon, B+W or Heliopan, so Hoya's the logical guess.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

B&H sells used Promaster filters. They are just as good as any other run of the mill filter on the market; nothing going special; decent quality. Treat it right a day it will do the job for a lifetime. I've got a box full of them and no complaints.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

They are likely rebranded filters from one of the bigger manufacturers like Hoya or Tiffen. You just need to be careful as to the construction & coating. There are different grades to any filter manufacturers lines. They will likely sell a consumer grade, a mid grade & a pro grade line. You need to compare apples to apples. What type of filters are you looking for ? Here are links to some reviews on Polarizers & Neutral Density filters. PS: the best ND filters are the square ones that allow you to position where the ND effect starts.
http://www.lenstip.com/139.25-article-Polarizing_filters_test_2015_Results_and_summary.html
http://www.disneytouristblog.com/neutral-density-filter-reviews-buying-guide/

Tikva Loc: Waukesha, WI

I am looking to by UV and CP filters. I don't have any ND filters for any of my lenses. That will come later when I'm shooting better.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I don't use UV filters. If you do, here is a review site for them. A little dated, but still relevant.... BTW, I'm originally from Marshfield Wisconsin.
http://www.lenstip.com/1707-news-UV_filters_test.html

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

For digital purposes, I have used B+W filters pretty exclusively and been very pleased with their quality and durability. During the film era, I also used Hoya and Tiffin. Lately I have considered starting with Lee or Cokin filter adapters to save money in the long run. /Ralph (p.s., I'm also a Wisconsin resident)

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

I recently replaced the Hoya filter on my 18-300mm with a Promaster HGX Prime and there was a noticeable improvement in clarity that even my inexperienced eyes could see - pretty pricey though!!

jaydoc

If you want to shop locally but want better quality gear than is offered, ask the proprietor what he can order for you. You might have to wait a bit but he can probably get what you want.

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

UV filters are for film. The best filter for digital is no filter unless you're introducing an effect like polarizer

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

If buying a UV filter to "protect" the front element, you would be better served by using a clear glass filter or none at all. Digital sensors are not susceptible to UV rays like film was. Filters can introduce flare & ghosting if a light source is in the frame. Personally, I use lens caps & lens hoods for my "protection"

Tikva Loc: Waukesha, WI

Thanks for the comments. I was hoping to hear from someone who has used both the Hoya and the Promaster. Yes, the Promaster is pricey, but I want the best glass possible on my filters so as not to detract from the glass in my lenses.

There seems to be two camps when it comes to UV filters. Some people would never use them and others say to have one for each lens. Right now I'm going with the camp that has one for each lens and just leaves it on unless I'm using a CP.

whitewolfowner

There is a lot better out there. Pormaster glass will only degrade your camera and lenses. Stick with Tiffen, Hoya or B & W.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

UV filters "for protection" are largely a waste of money. A lens hood or a lens cap does a far better job protecting a lens, than some thin piece of glass every could.

Still, personally I have UV filters (B+W 010 MRC) for all my lenses that can be fitted with filters. I'm in the "third camp". I have em, but only use "protection" when it actually might serve a purpose. So the UV's are stored in my camera bag until needed... such as shooting out in a sandstorm. That's about 1% of the time. So I'd recommend you make UV filter low priority, unless you plan to shoot paintball contests, sand storms, etc. Get and use the lens hood for all your lenses instead, if you don't already have them.

A quality C-Pol is a much more useful filter for digital photography. They're especially handy to have for scenic shots, portraits, anywhere there are reflections you need to control, and some other purposes. Many of the effects of C-Pols are difficult or impossible to replicate in post-processing software... Unlike most other filters which are very easily emulated or even out-done by software, when shooting digital.

You may not need a C-Pol for some of your lenses. I tend to use them most on wide angle through short telephoto focal lengths... less often or even rarely on longer telephotos.

The best bang for your buck are B+W Kaesemann HT (High Transmissive) filters. At their quality level, B+W are actually among the lower priced... Compare at B&H Photo or Adorama and you'll find you can easily spend 50% to 100% more to get the same or lesser quality.

I don't know anything about Promaster filters. As others have said, they are probably made by someone else and re-labelled. Hoya/Kenko make a lot of filters that are sold under other brand names.

Whatever you buy, look closely at the specs because most manufacturers make several different grades that sell at different prices. Hoya probably has the most grades.... five or six different C-Pol. Even more if you consider that Kenko filters are made by the same company as Hoya.

For that matter, B+W offers four grades....

- Their least expensive B+W "SC" are single-coated Schott glass in brass frame with standard polarizing foils.
- B+W "MRC" are a step up with 8-layer multi-coatings, Schott glass in brass frames.
- B+W Kaesemann F-Pro HT MRC are another step up, same as above but "high transmissive" with finer polarizing foils, edge-sealed for moisture resistance.
- B+W Kaesemann XS-Pro HT Nano MRC are their top-of-the line, same as above but using 16-layer multi-coatings and a "slimmer" frame.

AlfredU Loc: Mooresville, NC

Wow, great post. Everything he said is accurate as far as I know. Thanks.