Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

there is a very easy and elegant solution which I use... (I shoot Nikon btw)

I shoot my lens calibration target first without the filter (camera/lens locked down on a massive tripod) then place the filter over the lens and shoot again... compare the two...

Much to my surprise the several of the Non Nikon brand filters caused a focus shift, some more than others... Bottom Line? The Nikon NC filters were the least offensive of the lot....

In the studio my optics are naked... no filters needed
On location? Nikon NC filters...

Disclaimer: While I am a Nikon shooter and use Nikkors...
Except for DX where Sigma provides some excellent quality optics...
and Tokina's 11-16mm f/2.8 DX and 100mm f/2.8 micro (both pro quality)

Best Advice? Test each of your lens and filters (with and without) yourself...
Please don't rely on UHH heresay...
Hope this helps

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Thanks for posting this site I was very interested in reading it.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

I do not have any recent experience with Tiffen Filters.
I use Canon protect filters on all of my Canon lenses. Though they ranked middle of the pack at 99.5 (Leica was the best at 99.9) I can live with that.
I use Xume filter adaptors that facilitate fast and easy on-off for times when you don't want that "perfect shot" to be possibly ruined by glare from glasses, etc.
Please do yourself a favor and look at the short 1-min. 45-sec video in the second link below.


My Xume (pronounced “Zoom”) filter adapters take away my fears of cross-threading, they make the filters easy to remove, replace or change, and to easily clean your front element. When you use Xume Filter Adapters you may throw away those pesky "filter wrenches".
Watch the 1:45 video at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUPvEgFItt4 Purchasing info at https://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=xume+77mm+3.03"+lens+adapter
No, I don’t sell this stuff, but I do use these adapters and they do make life a LOT EASIER!

Steve Perry, a UHH Member, and friend also weighs in with a very comprehensive video. Or, if you are a bottom-line type of guy/gal skip to the summation starting at the 16:30 min mark.
Steve Perry Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0CLPTd6Bds&feature=youtu.be

Basically stated, if you are clumsy, or you are not lucky, travel to the beach, desert or frequent other camera hostile environments, use a good high-quality filter (such as recommended by "Lens Rental" https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2017/06/the-comprehensive-ranking-of-the-major-uv-filters-on-the-market/) for lens protection or to modify your images. If you are a real purist and believe that any camera manufacturer (Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc.) would put their name on a substandard filter that would be used on their critically designed and manufactured lenses then feel free to run around willy and nilly sans any protection for your high dollar lens. Please keep in mind that your lens may be affected by things beyond your control such as another person, a playful puppy (etc.) or even that punitive law named gravity, grin.

I hope that this filter issue will now be relegated to the attic, along with which lens should I take when visiting exotic Shenandoah County, Virginia? These last few lines are a feeble attempt at humor. Ironically, this is not a rant!?
Also, a special thanks to JerryC41 for his recommendation of Xume Filter Adapters. Without his wise counsel, I might still be "screwing on and screwing off" filters, ad nauseam.

Smile,
JimmyT Sends

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I myself stay away from Tiffen filters, they're junk!

JD750 Loc: SoCal

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I have heard people recommend Hoya, but personally I have not had good experiences with that band. I have had Hoya filters that created specular highlights on the image. Shot without the Hoya filter or with a different filter brand, no highlights.

IMHO if your are going to buy a filter and you want good image quality and good build quality, then it's going to cost a little bit of money.

Alaskangiant

[quote=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

Breakthrough filter are light year ahead of Tiffen in design and qualify and warranty

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

[quote=Alaskangiant]


I'm not trying to START ANYTHING. . .
You said: " and who says that they are necessarily better than the least expensive ones"
"Lens Rental" https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2017/06/the-comprehensive-ranking-of-the-major-uv-filters-on-the-market/
These are the folks that tested filters. Look at where the Tiffen came out in their testing. I'm just saying. . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I own one Tiffen polarizing filter that I bought about 3 years ago, from B&H Photo for $20. I wanted to buy a higher priced B+W, but decided not to. I have used my Tiffen just a few times, for a pale sky. I noticed some improvement when used. A friend I know uses Tiffen ND filters. And one of two of them, cost about $130. Perhaps cheap to some, who have more expensive ones. The larger size the filter, the more it costs. 77mm or 82mm filters are generally more expensive than a 58mm filter. It all depends on the amount of quality you want. All lenses are not created equal. My Nikon DX lenses don't compare to FX lenses in quality. I own just one FX lens.

fredcahn Loc: White River JCT, VT

I don't have a comparison without filter, but I took this photo directly into the sun (somewhat obscured by clouds) using a Hoya UV Haze NXT HMC Filter on a Nikon Z 50mm f1.8S lens (at f8). Image degradation due to flare is not visible to me. I think it's worth the peace of mind.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I have filters of many brands, including several from Tiffen, which I've picked up at flea markets over the years. To be honest, I see little to no difference between most of the brands when I look at the images they produce. Sure, some have a more durable ring than others, but unless you are in the habit of over-tightening the filter to the lens, this isn't really something to worry about.

racerrich3 Loc: Los Angeles, Ca.

in recent years I have bought Tiffen filters (if I remember correctly, official filter of Nasa) and received Hoya and Heliopan complimentary. I have no problems with my Tiffens and like the way I bought a couple of sets (67mm twin pack UV+CP) . it cheaper than buying each separately. I have also been to Tiffens open house events near me locally in Burbank Ca USA.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

I think there have been good answers on filters and I have not much to add except I'm glad you brought it up as I'm getting ready to purchase a new lens and am thinking filter as well.

On the subject of towels in Africa to protect your gear it's not really that critical. However, depending on what types of vehicles you'll be using many have pop-tops and you stand to take your pictures. I like this setup and I'm always glad to have the towel to cushion your camera when you shoot. Unless you're on a photo specific safari you probably won't have time or ability to use a tripod and the roof works very well with a towel.

ELNikkor

Lenskins are very good and reasonably priced.