Help choosing a neutral density filter

[Honus]

I want to buy a 0.9 ND filter for my Summilux so I can shoot wide open in daylight conditions. Perusing B&H, I have the choice of B+W, Hoya and Heliopan. The Hoya comes both uncoated and multi-coated. The B+W is the most expensive and (presumably) the best quality.

Since I am putting it in front of expensive glass, I don't want to skimp on quality for the filter. However, would the less-expensive Hoya Multi-Coated be a better choice?

 

[harmsr]

Robert,

NO!

Buy the B+W, when you are using it on that ASPH Lux.

Mine is the B+W and works well even in Arizona.

Best,

Ray

 

[Honus]

Ray,

Thank you for the wise advice. The last thing I would want to do is perform a sacrilegious act on your former lens. 😱

The B+W it is.

 

[TimBonzi]

Robert - Both the B+W and the Heliopan are excellent. I like the Heliopan's because you can ususally get them in thin mounts.

 

[Cindy Flood]

I have been looking for a 60mm nuetral density filter that I can use on my 50 Lux ASPH and on the Noctilux that I have coming. I would use a step-up ring for the Lux. Is a thin filter better on these two lenses?

 

[waileong]

If you use a step up ring, it doesn't matter.

 

[erikhaugsby]

And even if you don't use a step-up ring, the angle of view of the 50s isn't wide enough to have the filter cause vignetting.

edit: a 50 ASPH and a Noct?!? I envy you.

 

[Cindy Flood]

Erik said:

a 50 ASPH and a Noct?!? I envy you.

I'm getting the Nocti with the 30% off that early M8 buyers got in return for all of their hassles. It won't be coming for 4 more months. I will have to decide which one to keep. I can't keep them both. I wish!

 

[Chris101]

Optically they are pretty similar. The coated Hoya filter will probably have the lowest reflectance, but HMC coatings are nearly impossible to clean! Both the german filters use brass rings, while Hoya's are aluminum alloy. Brass rings screw on, and more importantly screw off smoothly and don't get stuck. Heliopan filters have a nice knurled edge to facilitate handling.

 

[peter_n]

Get B+W from B&H. Well stocked, good prices.

 

[richard_l]

There's an obvious way to keep aluminum filter rings from sticking. 🙄

Richard

 

[rodneyAB]

Optically they are pretty similar. The coated Hoya filter will probably have the lowest reflectance, but HMC coatings are nearly impossible to clean! Both the german filters use brass rings, while Hoya's are aluminum alloy. Brass rings screw on, and more importantly screw off smoothly and don't get stuck. Heliopan filters have a nice knurled edge to facilitate handling.

Chris I'm not following "HMC coatings" is that "Hoya MultiCoat"

 

[RayPA]

Get B+W from B&H. Well stocked, good prices.

I agree. I use B+W, too. I also use Heliopan, but prefer B+W for the reasons Peter mentions.


🙂

 

[Chris101]

Chris I'm not following "HMC coatings" is that "Hoya MultiCoat"

Yes Rodney. Although I have heard that they have a new coating that is better. None of the HMC filters I have use it, and they will hold a fingerprint against all but the most aggressive wet cleaning.

 

[Chris101]

There's an obvious way to keep aluminum filter rings from sticking. 🙄

Richard

I know the roll-eyes means it's really obvious, and I'll say "Oh, well, yeah, of course." when you tell me, but how?

 

[bmattock]

Don't forget that a polarizer is a good 2 stop ND filter too, and does the usual polarizing gig on top of it. Two for the price of one. Just saying.

 

[richard_l]

I know the roll-eyes means it's really obvious, and I'll say "Oh, well, yeah, of course." when you tell me, but how?

Don't screw it in too tight.

Richard

 

[Chris101]

Oh, well ... 😉

 

[John Noble]

The small 20-something-odd dollar difference between B+W and Hoya made the B+W a no-brainer even for my lowly CV Heliar.

 

[J J Kapsberger]

Is there an appreciable difference between the single- and multi-coated B+W filters?