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UV and circular polarizer filters
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Apr 1, 2021 06:40:05   #
Mike Holmes Loc: The Villages Fl
 
Am looking for advise on filters. There is a very large variance in prices of filters and looking for advise on which ones to purchase. I have checked "search" and have seen advice on which brand to purchase and most recommend the expensive brands but am not sure why. Is there really a large difference in filters that justifies the price disparity ie $10 to over $200? I have just purchased a Canon 24-70 f2.8 l lens and do not want to put the wrong filter on this high quality lens. Thanks for your input.

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Apr 1, 2021 06:49:34   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
Mike Holmes wrote:
Am looking for advise on filters. There is a very large variance in prices of filters and looking for advise on which ones to purchase. I have checked "search" and have seen advice on which brand to purchase and most recommend the expensive brands but am not sure why. Is there really a large difference in filters that justifies the price disparity ie $10 to over $200? I have just purchased a Canon 24-70 f2.8 l lens and do not want to put the wrong filter on this high quality lens. Thanks for your input.
Am looking for advise on filters. There is a very ... (show quote)


Tiffen makes very good filters for the price. To be honest, you probably will not see much difference between a $20.00 filter and a $200.00 filter. I have used an inexpensive Tiffen polarizer filter for years and get great results.
Don't waste your money. It would not be a B&H top seller if it were not good.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/56637-REG/Tiffen_77CP_77mm_Circular_Polarizing.html

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Apr 1, 2021 07:06:17   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
billnikon wrote:
Tiffen makes very good filters for the price. To be honest, you probably will not see much difference between a $20.00 filter and a $200.00 filter.




There's been a lot written about cheap vs expensive, some opinion and some factual. A higher price is no guarantee of higher performance.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cheap+vs+expensive+camera+filters&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS925US925&oq=cheap+vs+expensive+camera+filters&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30j0i390l2.7359j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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Apr 1, 2021 07:06:38   #
ELNikkor
 
Agree with billnikon; my $20-$30 circular polarizers have yielded excellent photos through the years when I have done my part with the other variables.

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Apr 1, 2021 07:10:30   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Yes, there is a difference. Filters should last forever, so buy them once and buy one that is intended to last forever, that being the B+W brand and with their XS-Pro MRC models (UV / ND) or Kaesemann (CPL). Being they are intended forever, look for used filters being resold as a way to save money such as KEH, Adorama, ebay or the for-sale here at UHH.

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Apr 1, 2021 07:14:11   #
ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA
 
You are looking at two issues. Filters (UV or clear) used for protection would go one every lens. It makes sense to get one that is good, but it is just the transmission of a single pane oF clear glass that is the issue, you probably won’t need break the bank. I use B&W multi-coated filters, about $40 each. Part of the price of owning the lens. You will also get many responses that using filters for protection is unnecessary and damaging to IQ. Your choice.

Specialized filters OTOH are designed to accomplish an optical goal, and in the case of a CPL, you are actually putting two more sheets of glass in front of your sensor. However, you don’t use these all the time or on every lens. The path I follow is to get a really good one to fit the largest lens that it will be used on, and then use step-up rings for use on smaller lenses.

i may not need to say this, but you should not use two filters on a lens at the same time.

Have fun with your new camaera!

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Apr 1, 2021 07:18:35   #
Mike Holmes Loc: The Villages Fl
 
Thanks for your input!!! I do not understand what justifies the the difference in price between a $30 and a $200 filter. It must be the coating's and if so, does it have a measurable effect on image quality? I am leaning toward the $30 version.

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Apr 1, 2021 07:23:55   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
The filter trolls will arrive shortly to tell you about their logic of filters and how anything in front of the lens will degrade their images. This link gives a lengthy discussion of the recent and observation-based testing (vs 'logic') and the results of looking at the light transmission of various UV filters. If the difference is 0.3% of light for the top models / brands, will that be a noticeable impact to your images?

https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2017/06/the-comprehensive-ranking-of-the-major-uv-filters-on-the-market/

If you use a cheaper model and that has a measurable impact of 1%, will that have a noticeable impact to your images? What if the difference is measured at 10.0% ?

These are the types of reasons to consider more expensive vs less expensive vs none in choosing your filters.

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Apr 1, 2021 07:29:11   #
RGreenway Loc: Morristown, New Jersey
 
I have been using Zeiss T* filters and more recently B&W and find them excellent. I did recently purchase the Tiffen variable ND filter 77mm and am VERY pleased with it. Even made in the US! I will definitely consider other Tiffen filters in the future!

I also really like the Sigma clear Ceramic glass protector filters and use them on my Sigma lenses.

One thing to consider for filters like UV and clear Protector filters is the construction of the rim. I like brass where possible since I worry that aluminum might get stuck to the lens threads if left on for a long time and some corrosion results.

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Apr 1, 2021 07:29:53   #
cameraf4 Loc: Delaware
 
Mike Holmes wrote:
Am looking for advise on filters. There is a very large variance in prices of filters and looking for advise on which ones to purchase. I have checked "search" and have seen advice on which brand to purchase and most recommend the expensive brands but am not sure why. Is there really a large difference in filters that justifies the price disparity ie $10 to over $200? I have just purchased a Canon 24-70 f2.8 l lens and do not want to put the wrong filter on this high quality lens. Thanks for your input.
Am looking for advise on filters. There is a very ... (show quote)


You may want to question the reason you feel you need to put a filter on your 24-70. If you realize that "sh*t happens" and you don't want the front element to get scratched/scraped, then even though it is pricey, I would recommend a Sigma Ceramic Filter.
https://www.adorama.com/sg67wrcp.html?adlclid=fe74c6791f031cb54756a61cb28b89bb&msclkid=fe74c6791f031cb54756a61cb28b89bb&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%5BADL%5D%20%5BShopping%5D%20%5BPLA%5D%20-%20%7BManufacturer%7D&utm_term=4581115204161002&utm_content=%7BManufacturer%7D%20-%20Bing&utm_source=adl-umbase-p

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Apr 1, 2021 07:32:52   #
camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.
 
If you are looking at a filter to put in front of your lens for "protection" save your money and buy something cheap. Just remove the filter when shooting. All filters, to a certain extent, degrade image quality.

I am still using polarizers from the film era made by Tiffen. I have not seen a difference with an expensive Nikon polarizer that I also own. Hoya also makes great filters at reasonable prices.
When it comes to ND filters a majority of the filters produce color shift and that include the expensive brands. Only Brakethrough filters from what I know reproduce colors like they are. I use a three stops ND Tiffen that produces a mild warming effect that I like.

Whatever filter you buy simply keep it clean when you put it in front of your lens.

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Apr 1, 2021 07:35:58   #
Mike Holmes Loc: The Villages Fl
 
I am using a uv filter for lens protection. I just do not want to compromise image quality in doing so. I will look at the B+W and sigma ceramic filters. Thanks

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Apr 1, 2021 07:39:22   #
Canisdirus
 
Skip the UV (not needed) and buy the best CP you can afford.

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Apr 1, 2021 08:02:24   #
treadwl Loc: South Florida
 
You get what you pay for.
I use Breakthrough Technology filters. They have brass threads, are super thin (allows for stacking filters without vignetting) do not shift colors, come with a guarantee and produce visibly better results than anything I ever used before. You can buy cheaper filters, but you won't get the same results. I paid for top of the line lenses with excellent glass, why would I degrade the image by putting a cheap, poor quality filter in front of my lens?
If you are serious about photography--get these filters.

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Apr 1, 2021 08:14:31   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
For the past 45+ years I've bought Tiffen or Hoya.
Others will tell you to get the most expensive, the best,
that no one can probably actually discern the difference in an image.
But I've never seen pictures anyone has made comparing a $30 filter and a $200 filter so I can see how much better they are.

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