Camera Lens Filters

[david b]

It's been a long time since I bought any filters for my lenses, but now that I own several large format Schneider APO lenses, I feel that I should have a little protection.

So, I am wondering if there is a real difference, something I could see in a print, between Hoya, Tiffen and B+W filters.

Is there a real world difference between a single coated filter, a multi-coated filter or a SUPER multi-coated filter?

 

[Nick Zentena]

Heliopan seems to have better build quality.

Tiffen makes a few colours nobody else does.

Other then that I'm happy with Hoya's with a good hood.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

I wouldn't say much difference in the coating variants when used with a prime lens - might be with a zoom, which would have more tendency to flare. I have lots of Hoya filters, I now try to buy only Heliopan or B+W, they have nice brass mounts that don't stick to the lens!

Regards,

David

 

[Dave Miller]

Like David, and for the same reason, I prefer those with a brass mount, the thinner the better. As for coating, I feel this to more of a theoretical benefit, perhaps more so when shooting straight into the light.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

When I had a wider range of filters of various qualities, I tested them, and discovered that, yes, there is a difference between uncoated, single coated, and multicoated filters. In many scenes, you may not notice it, but if you have a high contrast scene that is likely to produce flare and ghosting, the problem is quite visible.

Now most of my glass filters are B+W or Heliopan, but I also have square gel and resin filters that are easier to use with some of my lenses.

 

[david b]

So will I see a difference between the b+w multicoating and the Hoya multicoating?

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Not much. When I tested, I found even a cheap Vivitar VMC filter was better at suppressing flare and ghosting than a single coated, uncoated, or resin filter. But you still might prefer B+W over Hoya for the brass mount.

Another issue is that B+W filters usually have the filter type printed on the retaining ring rather than on the edge, so if you stack filters, you might prefer Heliopan or another filter that engraves the filter type on the outside of the ring. B+W work better if you prefer a filter wallet. I do both, depending on how I'm traveling, so I've written the filter type on the ring in silver pen, so I have the option of stacking them.