filter brands

[Kat]

I've been keeping an eye in the evil place for some filters. There are so many choices, I'm getting rather confused. Can anyone recommend to me which brands to go with and which ones to avoid? I have a good impression of Hoya as a more affordable quality brand, but I hear there's a green series that is uncoated. The problem is, most of the stuff on ebay is not in the box anymore. Is there any way to know (if the seller doesn't) whether or not a filter is coated? Are there any clues in the markings, or in the plastic cases?

 

[bobofish]

Sorry I can't help you much with other brands, but I have to say, all my experience with B+W has been fantastic. I've been less impressed by Hoyas and Tiffens.
I have a friend that swears by Heliopan, and when you can find them, straight up Schneider filters are great, but I think they often come in square pieces for which you'll need an adapter.
I've seen examples of all of them go for really really good prices in the evil dark place which we shall not name.
Cheers

p.s. Google searches will often reveal results from places like DVinfo.net that although not still camera sites, often have classifieds from people selling still gear, or gear that can be used on still cameras, like Schneider filters.
(I just missed an awesome deal a few months ago on a set of Schneider 4x4 filters with a matte box and adapters....the guy was just getting rid of them for like $100, but they were worth hundreds, maybe even a grand; likewise, I've seen real deals on b+w filters in sizes like 72, etc. that can be easily used on video cameras as well as slr lenses)

 

[nwcanonman]

I'll also vote for B+W filters. I find the prices at B&H pretty reasonable.

 

[RObert Budding]

I use B+W MRC coated filters. They are very easy to keep clean and actually make my lenses less flare-prone (some old lenses flare very easily, even with hoods). Well worth the money. And bhphoto.com has good prices and an excellent selection.

Robert

 

[FPjohn]

Hello:

Tiffen makes a true UV filter, most other brands are good neutral "fingerprint" filters. Otherwise the B&W are what I purchase when I can. Try Henrys as well as B&H for good prices.

yours
Frank

 

[back alley]

b+w are good filters with brass rings which make the on/off process a bit easier.

but i use hoya mostly, very good bang for the buck.
and for me, using very oddball filter sizes, i will anything that i can find that fits.

joe

 

[JasonC]

B+W and Heliopan filters are very good, especially the multi coated ones, but Heliopan ones will cost more. They both use brass rings that is good for frequent on and off, and for old lens that has trouble threads. For Hoya, I'll only use the S-HMC coated ones. The 'S-HMC' is printed on the filter ring.

Jason.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Have you tried a WTB here? What size are you looking for?

 

[prosty]

Just adding to what Jason said, Hoya's multi-coated filters will either have HMC or S-HMC stamped on the ring. Many folks have complained about difficulty in cleaning the Hoya multi-coats, esp. the HMC variety. I have both kinds, along with some MRCs, and the B+Ws are easier for me to clean. That said, if you DON'T use liquids to clean the Hoyas, just breath and cloth, you should be fine. Older B+W multi-coated filters may have MC rather than the newer (and from what I can tell better) MRC markings. Like Brian asked, what size/kind of filters are you trying to find? If you're hankering to buy new Hoya filters, I haven't seen lower domestic prices than at www.2filter.com. Adorama/B&H are lower for B+W, though B&H has far more MRCs in stock currently. KEH has dirt cheap used filters in all shapes and sizes.

Dan

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Most of mine are B+W and Heliopan; both use Schott glass and are similarly constructed with brass rings. I do not hesitate to use Nikon filters as well as Hoya's better grades -- I think they are both excellent quality. With the stuff a lot of us shoot with around here (I need some 42mm "slip-off" filters for a lens that has no internal threads) some times we can't be too picky about who made it or when 😀

 

[richard_l]

I use Hoya, B+W, Heliopan.


Why should there be a problem cleaning filters? Soap and water always works for me. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[Honu-Hugger]

I use Hoya, B+W, Heliopan.


Why should there be a problem cleaning filters? Soap and water always works for me. Am I doing something wrong?

Richard,
I was checking to make sure there was not a smiley. Perhaps not with modern filters although I do not know for sure (I don't risk it), but some filters have a gelatin layer between two layers of glass. Water between the layers will do what water does to gelatin (it will melt into goo). Even lens cleaning solution creeping around the ring will do this. I have always been advised to put a drop or two of solution directly on the lens tissue (not the filter), and then clean the filter glass.

 

[back alley]

i bought some lens cleaning solution - formula mc- from 2filter.com and that stuff is amazing.
i can't really explain why or how but it seems to just clean better than anything i have tried before.
has anyone else tried it?

joe

 

[prosty]

I haven't tried it personally, but I've read several comments that echo yours -- the stuff is great, especially for the Hoya multi-coats. Many folks complain of streaks occuring when using various cleaning solutions on the Hoyas and the MC Formula apparently is specially formulated to prevent this.

 

[KoNickon]

The Formula MC is great stuff; I've been using it for years.

I generally buy Hoya HMC filters. First, they're quite reasonably priced; second, I have no idea whether B+W or Heliopan filters (which cost close to three times the Hoyas) are multicoated or not. Yes, the brass rings are nice, but hardly necessary.

 

[richard_l]

Richard,
I was checking to make sure there was not a smiley. Perhaps not with modern filters although I do not know for sure (I don't risk it), but some filters have a gelatin layer between two layers of glass.

All mine are solid glass. I think I heard about using soap and water on on the LUG mailing list. If it works, why not?

Using more elaborate/costlier cleaning methods remind me of the story in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance about the guy who needed a shim for the handlebars on his BMW. It had to be a genuine BMW shim. A shim cut from a Coors beer can wasn't good enough.

 

[back alley]

i'd clean my filters in coors but i wouldn't drink it! lol!

this formula mc is cheap, as cheap as my soap anyway.

joe

 

[Kat]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I did hear about B&W, but I think it's just too high above my financial reach at the moment...Maybe when I have dough. I'm looking for 55mm, I actually was able to buy Hoya ones (UV, yellow) in ebay a while back, I'm just looking for a polarizer now. Budget is my most restricting criteria, unfortunately. But I'll keep my eyes open.

Curious--can't you use ordinary camera lens cleaner for filters?

 

[peter_n]

I use B+W and Hoya in that order. Hoya OEMs for many companies and I have at least two filters that sport manufacturer's names but they are Hoyas. One is a Vivitar, you can easily tell because the engraving on the ring is identical to the Hoya printing. I stay clear of Heliopan because of the ridiculous prices and the fact that I can't stand their U.S. importer HP Marketing. A horrible company.

Doug will yell at me but I wash all my filters in soap and water like Richard does. I use dishwaher soap and very hot water then dry with soft cotton and a microfiber cloth. Then I stick the filter in the toaster oven and toast it in bursts (lowest temp) to dry it out. Works for me... 🙂

 

[JasonC]

Curious--can't you use ordinary camera lens cleaner for filters?

I am thinking about the same thing. I use ROR to clean my lenses. Anyone try using it to clean filters?

Jason.