However, some links in a complex chain have more effect in more circumstances than others do.You're only as good as you're weakest link, whatever that might be.
The last point is where you'll see the biggest difference, between different filters and when comparing filtered/unfiltered. This old test took a large selection of the UV filters that were available at the time and shot with them in conditions where you'd expect to see flare:After some quick and dirty testing, I believe I have answered part of my own question to my satisfaction. Subjectively, looking at sharpness and resolution, I could not see any bothersome differences between my filtered shots and unfiltered shots. This was true no matter whether I was using top shelf filters (B+W MRC), or the Toshiba filters. What I have not tested for is contrast and flair under contra jour lighting.
The last point is where you'll see the biggest difference, between different filters and when comparing filtered/unfiltered. This old test took a large selection of the UV filters that were available at the time and shot with them in conditions where you'd expect to see flare:
https://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test.html
From the images, there are some pretty big differences (you can ignore the stuff about UV absorbance). Uncoated filters were pretty poor, and multicoated were better than single-coated. Today, I would choose filters with (a) multi-coating, (b) an 'easy clean' layer (multi-coated filters without this, like Hoya's old Pro-1 and Super HMC ranges, tend to smear when you clean them) and (c) high quality optical glass (which should be a given in the multi-coated ranges from Hoya or B+W). Hoya Fusion / Evo filters are quite reasonably priced. Their HD range are more expensive but tougher. B+W MRC and MRC-Nano are both excellent, and they come in brass mounts that are less likely to bind.
I expect you are probably right about coatings (or lack thereof) having a greater effect than the quality of the glass itself.
The examples linked to just show the opposite, that the effect of alleged uncoated versus coated filter is minime compared to no-filter at all. Ghosting as such is complex.
And concerning the quality of the glass, for instance non-parallelity of the filter surfaces would form a weak prism.
In that test the glass itself was only measured for transmission, but the effect of this transmission not shown.
I choose between high-end brands based on their specific selection. MC Hoya are every bit as good optically as B&W or Heliopan, maybe better in certain cases, and easier to clean in my opinion. But one point not even mentioned yet is how different kinds of microfiber lens cloths or solutions might work slightly differently in that respect. Brass versus anodized aluminum rings? - not that big a deal. Brass is nominally superior, but also quite a big heavier if you need to carry a quantity of them of larger diameter backpacking, for example. There's also quite a cost differential independent of actual optical performance.
How do you mean? Comparing (e.g.) the 'tree' flare images for the four B+W filters, the two MRC multicoated versions are much better than the corresponding standard (single coated?) versions. But even the MRC shots are a little worse than the shots without filters. The shot with the (presumably uncoated) Tiffen is substantially worse than that with any of the B+W filters, and the transmission plot shows that about 10% of light in the visible range isn't getting through.The examples linked to just show the opposite, that the effect of alleged uncoated versus coated filter is minime compared to no-filter at all. Ghosting as such is complex.
There are two Heliopan filters. The multicoated one does better than the one with 'standard' (probably single) coating, but not as well as the multicoated filters from B+W or Hoya. I think this just tells that multicoating is better than single coating (as we'd expect), but that not all multicoating is created equal (which is hardly surprising). Comparing between brands there are other variables, like the basic quality of the glass, though I think both B+W and Heliopan use Schott optical glass. The awful Tiffen, which makes no claims about coating, may well be uncoated but also have poorer quality glass. The overall rankings in this test also factor in UV absorption, which probably doesn't matter to most of us. Otherwise, there's not much to choose between Hoya and B+W, except the brass mounts in the latter and the tougher glass in Hoya's HD range (not tested here, but probably optically comparable to something like Pro1, while being easier to clean).There are two alleged uncoated filters, compare them to the coated Heliopan that scored bad. And there is practically no difference, thus in this extreme test the coated one necessarily being the better one does not come true.
One may also ask which practical relevance the night-scene test has.
My advice: test your filters with your lenses under circumstances typical for your work. If the filter introduces a degradation that you find hard to tolerate, try (if possible) a high-end filter under same or similar circumstances against your filter.
I have experienced the same binding problem. Sometimes applying a bit less pressure lets the filter loosen.Sirius - given the extreme temp swings I've encountered even on the same day in SW canyons and during extreme elevation changes in the mountains, I've had dimensional expansion "stuck" issues even with brass filters numerous times. Best simply not to over-tighten any of them. Another trick would be be use a narrow strip of very thin teflon plumbers tape if leaving a certain one on for a prolonged period. Sometimes the slightly less rigid nature of compact rim aluminum rings is more the issue. One needs to counterintuitively apply LESS grip to them when attempting to unscrew them, or they distort and bind a little. When all else fails, I use a plastic ZipTie as a wrench.
Did you burn-in the sky/cloud part? It's O.K. if you don't want to say....
Did you burn-in the sky/cloud part? It's O.K. if you don't want to say....
Concerning the major topic of filter coatings:
In 1981 Heliopan stated that the benefit of multilayer coatings over single layer coatings is insignificant and that multilayer coatings are less scratch resistant.
Thus they only would multilayer coat by custom order.
Not to sound flippant, but buy quality, you'll never regret it.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?