Hoya vs B+W Filters: I have both Hoya HD3 UV and B+W XS-Pro 007M MRC Nano Clear 77mm filters. I have always used the B+W filters to 'permanently' sit on my lens. And have not used the...

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

I have both Hoya HD3 UV and B+W XS-Pro 007M MRC Nano Clear 77mm filters.
I have always used the B+W filters to 'permanently' sit on my lens.
And have not used the Hoya Filters--for no special reason other than I had the B+Ws first.
I'm expecting to receive my Z24-120 S this week and will use one of these filters.
(These 77mm filters were kept after I sold my 28-300)
Does anyone have recommendations for one or the other? Not using any one of these is a non-starter.
Thanks for your help.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

I can't see any use for a UV filter in the digital age. Why use an extra piece of glass on a lens that is only going to be degraded by a piece of cheaper glass.
If you are looking for whatever protection it might provide the B+W is your best choice imo.
I use B&W ND and CPL filters, but only when needed (unless like recently I forgot to take the ND off and was having to use exposure compensation all day!)

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

My personal preference is B&W filters, which are all I use. Best of luck.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The start and end of my selection of filters are B+W. There's no reason to look beyond the best.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Tony, CJ, CHG,
Thanks.
Jon

User ID

TonyP wrote:

I can't see any use for a UV filter in the digital age. Why use an extra piece of glass on a lens that is only going to be degraded by a piece of cheaper glass.
If you are looking for whatever protection it might provide the B+W is your best choice imo.
I use B&W ND and CPL filters, but only when needed (unless like recently I forgot to take the ND off and was having to use exposure compensation all day!)

I use some filter or other at ALL times becuz my great lenses are waaaaaay too sharp for my high rez sensors.

(Download)

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

User ID wrote:

I use some filter or other at ALL times becuz my great lenses are waaaaaay too sharp for my high rez sensors.

Konstuktif az uzl.
Notanks u.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

User ID wrote:

I use some filter or other at ALL times becuz my great lenses are waaaaaay too sharp for my high rez sensors.

Why not just reduce sharpening in the camera settings? The second one appears to have had a touch of HDR or something??
Cant see any problem with the first one. Nice portrait. Doesn't look oversharp to my old eyes.

edit: What happened there? You changed the second photo while I was answering.
edit: the, now, colour second photo looks good to me, focused on the clarinet.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

jbk224 wrote:

I have both Hoya HD3 UV and B+W XS-Pro 007M MRC Na... (show quote)

Both Hoya and B+W make good filters especially if you buy the top of the line of either (which it appears you have). I usually buy B+W filters but I have purchased Hoya. As long as they are in good condition, I would use them indiscriminately.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

wdross wrote:

Both Hoya and B+W make good filters especially if you buy the top of the line of either (which it appears you have). I usually buy B+W filters but I have purchased Hoya. As long as they are in good condition, I would use them indiscriminately.

Thank you.

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

CHG_CANON wrote:

The start and end of my selection of filters are B+W. There's no reason to look beyond the best.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Since I have no information or preference, I will just ask why B+W is considered best or better. Has anyone seen any actual testing or other form of evaluation/comparison?

ArcticTrails Loc: Valdez Alaska

jbk224 wrote:

I have both Hoya HD3 UV and B+W XS-Pro 007M MRC Na... (show quote)

I have both B+W and the Hoya HD3 UV filters and both are good filters, but the Hoya HD3 filters do a better job of repelling dirt.

Cheers,
Kai

Hip Coyote

jbk224 wrote:

I have both Hoya HD3 UV and B+W XS-Pro 007M MRC Na... (show quote)

I busted a filter on my walk around lens and for some reason I had a generic Amazon one in my bag so used it. This may be heresy, but I don’t see a big difference in IQ. I typically use B+W however. Here’s some shots with the generic on the front. Seems ok. So I’m not certain it matters all that much.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

For the price of less than a cup of takeaway coffee, why not use a hard plastic lens cap. These are designed to protect the lens and come with any camera when purchased.
I really cant understand a serious photographer, practicing his hobby or craft with an expensive lens that determines the quality of the capture, taking the shot through an added piece of glass.
Just in case he/she might drop the camera.
UV filters were designed for film that was sensitive to UV rays. Digital cameras are immune to UV effects.
My suggestion is if your camera is susceptible to being dropped, buy a wrist strap and or use the lens cap.
In nearly 60 years of taking pics I've damaged a lens only once, when the camera came off the tripod. A filter wouldn't have helped save the lens. (I hadn't tightened the clamp on the tripod head properly)

Edit. Thinking about it further, the only time a good protective filter could be a good idea, is when taking pics in windy conditions with spray or sand in the air.