toxdoc42

I am well aware of the arguments regarding UV/clear filters to protect a lens. I don't want to jinx myself, but I have been involved with photography for over 60 years and have never had a cracked, scratched, or other form of damaged from of a lens. So you can understand that I am biased by the fact that even the most expensive filters, and who says that they are necessarily better than the least expensive ones, are placing another piece of glass in front of the lens that I prefer to use to take a photo. I checked with my personal property insurance carrier and they told me that damage from dropping a lens, etc., will be covered by them as well.

I am going on a safari in February and was told, by many, that it is very dusty and to carry 2 camera bodies so I don't need to change lenses. I bought a second body. Now I was told to wrap the camera and lens in a scarf when not shooting, so I got a bit worried about sand, dust, etc., sand blasting the front of the lens.

I started listening to u-tubes about the discussion of filters and various people's discussions about quality and price. When looking for a UV/clear glass filter I noticed that Tiffen, which was really a leader in filter manufacturing in the 1960s, still seems to have filters for sale, at this time. I found some of my old Tiffen filters from the 1960s and they look just great. They new Tiffen filters are far less expensive then other manufacturers' brands. I was surprised to find that they actually claim they make their filters in the USA. I took the chance and ordered one for my lower and one for my upper zoom lenses. I have polaroid filters for other lenses that I will be taking as well, so all of my lenses should be protected.

I just wondered if anyone has had any good or bad experiences with their filters?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've had a few in the distant past. I've switched to B+W. Though some are difficult to find.
--Bob

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Tiffen filters are not exactly the brand that you hear when people talk about good filters. And you can find them at places like Walmart and BestBuy.

But UV/Clear filters do open the possibility of additional flare. I tend to not use them. But I suppose you could keep them on most of the time and unscrew them for important photos. There has been a lot of discussion about the pros and cons of these filters for a number of years.

Anyway, keep the lens cap on when not shooting, and perhaps carry an extra in case you lose one. Inexpensive lens caps can be obtained on Ebay and I have ordered extras for all the sizes I use. And use a lens hood too.

Larry Powell Loc: Columbus OH

Keeping dust and sand off a lens is to me imperative. Does a decent filter degrade an image? A few years ago I read an article where a front element was deeply scratched and chipped and the images were unbelievably good. I was very surprised!

Having said that last week I was in a sandy slot canyon north of San Diego. When I reached the top of the climb there was a lot of sand on the UV filter. Some even got between the lens and filter. Thankfully I was able to gently remove it all. Without protection no doubt the lens would have been damaged.

Why risk it?

I am interested in seeing an example image of the same subject with and without a filter.

Larry

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Like you, I shoot filterless, unless in a harsh environment. My only filters these days are B+W. Hoya, I believe are above Tiffen.

toxdoc42

do you have a suggestion of what image o use to test the filters?

so far no comments from anyone actually experiencing anything with Tiffen, I can attest to my experiences being good 60 years ago, when they were among the only filters available and considered high quality then.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

An image/scene not shot in bright sunlight that has both fine detail and sharp edges.




The only Tiffen I have owned was a variable ND which within a few days showed signs of moisture inside, but I do live in a very hot humid area. No concerns regarding IQ or colour cast.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I virtually use them on every photograph. The majority are either UV or CP. Both are B+W. So, any of my images will be examples of using a filter.

Other than a formal test chart just go out and shoot a scene with and without. Just make sure to lock the settings and focus between the two photographs.
--Bob

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Test by doing both wide and telephoto again. I used to think Tiffen was a good filter, back then perhaps it was, especially with film.

Without meaning to start a filter argument on here....I got rid of all my filters except for a B+W UV that I only use for harsh environments like blowing sand.

In testing lens sharpness and focus, I would eliminate any extra glass in the way to be sure that the lens is not being hampered in any way.

I also use software ( Reiken FoCal) to test and fine tune focusing on my lenses.

Bill_de Loc: US

In the past Tiffen glass was fine but the rings not so much. They had a habit of getting stuck on lenses. Over the years I switched to Nikon and B+H.

---

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

U/V filters with substandard coatings can produce lens flares or add color casts to your images. I only use Breakthrough Filters for this very reason. I often wonder why we spend $3000 on a camera and lens, and object to a $200 filter.

toxdoc42

Because some of us live within limited budgets. If there is no provable reason to use the more expensive filter why should we? Saying that you only use an expensive one is not proving that it is better. I started this thread by asking if anyone had experience with Tiffen filters, not opinion, but experiences good or bad. I keep looking for studies comparing various parameters between brands and can not find any. As a former physician-scientist I spent my career looking for evidence-based therapy. I am used to looking for such when I purchase things.

N4646W

Tiffen I believe used to make 3 grades of filter. The less expensive was an unanodized ring, an excellent glass, and their top line glass. When I bought their top line glass, it was usually within the same price range as Hoya and Nikon. I saw a discussion on filters back in 2000, and Tiffen was rated slightly under Hoya, because of the sticky non anodized screw rings. As far as affecting image quality, on prime lenses at 300% I can tell a difference. On zoom lenses, it depends on the zoom of the lenses. Some will not tolerate a filter on the low end, others on the upper end, you just have to be aware of the lens. But this is still pixel peeping at over 100%. Also with their top glass as with Hoya and Nikkon they have a beefier ring. I use Tiffen, Hoya, and Nikon filters, the biggest I believe is 140mm for my Nikkor 400 and 600mm Q lenses. Now those really hurt your spare change. Also I believe if you check the Hoya web site, they have different grades of filters.

Ron

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

I only use B&W

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Filters, used correctly, work well. I have found Tiffen filters work as well as many brands that cost much more.