Filter Brands

[namesalex]

sooo! what brand filters does everyone prefer? i am pretty curious to see what every ones opinions are. :p

PS. i searched the forum to see if this thread already exists and i did not see one so sorry if i am wrong.

[TheWengler]

Generally I'd say people like the B+W filters the best, but they can be expensive. Hoya is a more affordable option that still provides you with a quality product.

[nqjudo]

Many people use Hoya and are very happy with them. I have had mixed results with Hoya, particularly with their CPLs so I went back to B+W. I've never had a problem with B+W - ever. As for general advice I would say that you shouldn't be concerned with the bargain where filters are concerned. There's no sense putting a bad piece of glass on the front of a good lens.

I've bought a lot of stuff from these guys:

http://hvstar.net/

Great prices, great products.

[namesalex]

yeah i was looking at B+W then i saw their prices and just closed Firefox hahaha. is Cokin any good?

[TDN169]

I was looking for filters online and found some really great quality ones for a bargain on Ebay- Mainly Hoya and Tamron, good, high quality filters- In the end, I got two Circular polarisers (Counter polarised shots) A cross screen, six point star, Red, Orange, Warming, Yellow, ND, Skylight 1A, Skylight 1B, Stepping ring and UV filter all for £30 ($60), All in nearly perfect quality (some of the lettering a bit scratched).
If you want to get them new, my expeience is as follows:
(For purposes of simplicity, I'll use these types: Type 1- Skylights, UV/Haze or protectors Type 2- Coloured, ND or Linear Polariser Type 3- Circular Polariser Type 6- B&W)

Hoya has a large range of high quality filters, at pretty much all sizes. In the UK, Type 1 is about £7, Type 2 can be up to £15, Type 3- £15 upwards
Tamron is about the same- I've found them easier to clean as the glass comes out more easily
Jessops have a range of cheaper filters- Type 1 avout £5, Type 2 up to £13 and Type 3 can be up to £20I don't tend to use B&W filters, so I can't give much advice on that front.

Wow. That was a long post.

Anyway- Look on ebay for great deals, or get them new- the more they cost, the higher the quality (usually)

[namesalex]

that post looked so professional ;)

yeah, i guess ill look on eBay for some Hoya filters! hopefully i can get a good deal like you did haha. 60 dollars is mad cheap.

[GoneTomorrow]

Scoff if you will, but I use Tiffen filters! And even the occasional Sunpak!

[TDN169]

that post looked so professional ;)


It's a knack ;)

[Visual Reality]

Coming from Hoya HMC filters...I only use B+W (without the fancy expensive coatings). Sooooooooo much easier to clean...you wouldn't imagine how hard of a time I had with those HMC coatings. Never again.

Cost me $99 for the set of two: 67mm Circular Polarizer and 67mm UV (to keep in the bag for when I may run into a particularly dirty shooting environment).

[SpecialK]

Here's the old thread.

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27381

[namesalex]

Here's the old thread.

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27381

no wonder why i didnt find this, its from 2006 :p

[The Mangler]

All of my filters are B+W.

[kev.]

Heres a thought. The more obstacles you put in front of your lens, the less quality you will get. It doesn't matter how good they are, they will still FILTER, that means less of everything until you are good enough to know better. My advice is to learn how to get by without them until you are self proven to need them!