Filter manufacturers

[stavroshamster]

Just ordered myself a Canon Nifty Fifty but need a new UV filter to whack on it to protect the front.

All my other filters have either been Jessops or Hoya ones - what other brands are reputable and where should I look online to get a good price?

Anything else I should consider for UV filters?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Just ordered myself a Canon Nifty Fifty but need a new UV filter to whack on it to protect the front.

All my other filters have either been Jessops or Hoya ones - what other brands are reputable and where should I look online to get a good price?

Anything else I should consider for UV filters?

Hoya and B+W are good manufacturers. Kenko and Sigma filters can be decent too. Jessops filters are most likely made by Hoya or Kenko. Nikon,Canon,Pentax,Olympus and Zeiss make good filters too.

It is worth looking on-line but beware of counterfeit filters.

[Blastuk]

There's a lot of talk about Kenko being the same as Hoya, just Kenko is cheaper and sold under the name Kenko in Japan.

B+W are said to be the best and Sigma aren't as good as Hoya/Kenko.

The nifty fifty being such a cheap lens probably doesn't need a UV filter anyway, unless you want to spend nearly half the cost of the lens or more on a filter; or you are shooting in harsh conditions where your front element might actually get damaged without one. Oh yeah, or you're actually shooting at high altitudes.

[kalniel]

http://lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test.html

[stavroshamster]

There's a lot of talk about Kenko being the same as Hoya, just Kenko is cheaper and sold under the name Kenko in Japan.

B+W are said to be the best and Sigma aren't as good as Hoya/Kenko.

The nifty fifty being such a cheap lens probably doesn't need a UV filter anyway, unless you want to spend nearly half the cost of the lens or more on a filter; or you are shooting in harsh conditions where your front element might actually get damaged without one. Oh yeah, or you're actually shooting at high altitudes.

Taking it to Nepal in April - will be at 4500m some of the time so need it for the UV filtration, plus the protection.

I wasn't thinking of spending £40 on a filter anyway - probably closer to £15-20 - should I be able to get something decent for this? Lots of Kenko's on Ebay for around this price or less...

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Taking it to Nepal in April - will be at 4500m some of the time so need it for the UV filtration, plus the protection.

I wasn't thinking of spending £40 on a filter anyway - probably closer to £15-20 - should I be able to get something decent for this? Lots of Kenko's on Ebay for around this price or less...

A lot of counterfeits too especially of they are from the Far East. If you are buying a filter get it from a private seller who is getting rid of one.

Also make sure you go for the multi-coated filters too.

I just remembered another brand - Cokin. Cokin are French and I have one of their 62MM skylight filters. They make very good filters on par with B+W and Hoya.

[stavroshamster]

http://lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test.html

Looking at the link the Hoya HMC came out best, but I have found three versions online UV(0), UV(N) and UV(C) and can't find a decent explanation of the difference between these.

Anyone know if there is a difference?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Looking at the link the Hoya HMC came out best, but I have found three versions online UV(0), UV(N) and UV(C) and can't find a decent explanation of the difference between these.

Anyone know if there is a difference?

It is to do with the glass that is used in the filter AFAIK. The UV(O) tend to use better glass in the filter.

[kalniel]

Taking it to Nepal in April - will be at 4500m some of the time so need it for the UV filtration

Is this a film camera? Digital cameras have UV filters built into the AA filter ahead of the sensor so there's no need to get one from a filtration point of view.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Is this a film camera? Digital cameras have UV filters built into the AA filter ahead of the sensor so there's no need to get one from a filtration point of view.

Kalniel has a good point.

Edit!!

The OP has a 300D:

http://forums.hexus.net/photography-...m-cf-size.html

[stavroshamster]

Is this a film camera? Digital cameras have UV filters built into the AA filter ahead of the sensor so there's no need to get one from a filtration point of view.

Ah, didn't know that. Thanks.

Found a Jessops one on a lens I rarely use, so am just going to use that (for protection) rather than buying a new one.

[Bobster]

Ah, didn't know that. Thanks.

Found a Jessops one on a lens I rarely use, so am just going to use that (for protection) rather than buying a new one.

putting cheap filters infront of your glass will degrade the shot. what are you trying to protect your 50 from??

[stavroshamster]

putting cheap filters infront of your glass will degrade the shot. what are you trying to protect your 50 from??

Dust, mist, the wife - just really to have something in front of the lens as added protection generally and so I don't have to keep cleaning the front of the lens.

Is the general consensus that I shouldn't bother with a filter at all?

[rox0r]

If you're paranoid about bashing the lens you're better off putting a lens hood on than a layer of cheap glass over the end.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The OP could always take the filter off if they are taking pictures. A filter and a lens cap together would offer greater protection than either alone.

[Blastuk]

The OP could always take the filter off if they are taking pictures. A filter and a lens cap together would offer greater protection than either alone.

A lot of effort to unscrew a filter when you want to get that snap quick!

I'd say go without a filter, it's such a cheap lens you might aswell let it wear out and buy a new one rather than getting a quality filter (a quality filter being the only other acceptable option)