Recomend some filters for B&W

trythis · Jan 5, 2014

Hey, I need some basic filters for b&w.
I have determined that 67mm is the size that I want, no plastic.

I think I want non-coated glass filters. I haven't looked very hard at pixel peeping sites regarding image quality, but I cant imagine my photography will suffer from the lack of cutting edge metallic coatings. I want durability and easy cleaning so plain glass should work fine. I just tried some used lenses off ebay and the coatings are damaged. Its weird how it looks like oil on the lens, but nothing cuts it, so waste of money and time fooling with that.

Are there off brands that you think are worthwhile? If I had tons of cash, I would just order B&W, but I don't. Their filters would cost more than I spent on the cameras/lenses I am using. I can;t justify that to myself or the wife.

I would like to buy a yellow, a red and a green, in that order of priority and spend under $30 total if possible.

Let me know where I am off my rocker here, I am a novice to b&w phot, in case that isn't obvious. Only filter kit I have is for my Yashicamat 124. Not so useful on a SLR.

adelorenzo · Jan 5, 2014

I use a lot of Hoya glass filters, they seem to be high quality and are usually more reasonably priced than B&W, Heliopan, etc.

$10 a filter is stretching is a fair bit but, for example, you could get the three filters you need for $100 on eBay. Otherwise around $40/each at B&H.

ntenny · Jan 5, 2014

Of the big names, Hoya is generally much the cheapest, though not quite as cheap as what you're looking for. I do have a couple of off-brand eBay filters---Omax is the only brand I can remember for them---and they seem to work fine, for what that's worth.

I think you do want coated filters, though, mainly for flare control rather than theoretical improvements in image quality. At least for the yellow filter, which most people seem to use more than any other, splurge a little and get a coated one.

Personally I use green more than red, to help separate different green shades in foliage.

-NT

Christopher Walrath · Jan 5, 2014

If your aim is to spend little money, head for you nearest camera shop and go fishing in the cheap bin. If you want to really do good for your photography, especially at such a large thread size, shop around, but come off your low dollar amount or you will get what you pay for.

As for filters, I would hit the basics, red, yellow, green, blue. Get low factor filters to start with until you find out you need stronger filters. I would also get some neutral density filters (NDx2, 4 &8) and also a circ pol. You'll be set for a while. But anything worth buying will definitely run more than ten bucks.

bsdunek · Jan 5, 2014

Christopher Walrath said:
If your aim is to spend little money, head for you nearest camera shop and go fishing in the cheap bin. If you want to really do good for your photography, especially at such a large thread size, shop around, but come off your low dollar amount or you will get what you pay for.

As for filters, I would hit the basics, red, yellow, green, blue. Get low factor filters to start with until you find out you need stronger filters. I would also get some neutral density filters (NDx2, 4 &8) and also a circ pol. You'll be set for a while. But anything worth buying will definitely run more than ten bucks.

Best advice IMHO!

jp498 · Jan 5, 2014

I like orange filters. A bit stronger than yellow, but not as much as red. Yellow and Orange are mostly what I use to manage sky tones. I've picked up plenty used, you can go on ebay and get a grab-bag of used filters, or pick them up at lawn sales, etc.. But it's something you can keep forever even after you change cameras, so there's no harm in buying a nice coated new one.

gone · Jan 5, 2014

Coating issues will rarely affect your photos, especially if they're only on the front element.

I've had good results w/ orange too, especially w/ dark complected people, but my favorites are yellow and red. I've grown especially fond of red, which surprises me, but it does a good job of making colors turn out "right" w/ B&W film. If you have a camera w/ a low top shutter speed, the 3 stops can come in handy by letting you shoot more wide open on a sunny day w/ 400 ISO film. Red will give you a nice contrast bump too.

I don't blame you for going toward the less expensive filters. In my real world experience, I've found it's more important to have a good hood, and filters w/o haze or too many scratches. People can quote you all manner of facts on light transmission and the benefits of multicoating. I've never seen any difference in my photos that was attributable to expensive, or inexpensive, filters.

The following shots were w/ yellow, then orange, then red filters. You'll notice a big tonal difference in the stacked kayaks and building sides.

On the portrait, it was orange followed by red. Nikkormat FT2 w/ non ai 50 2.0 and Tri-X in D76. The light probably changed a little on the portraits, but the surfer that was painting was shot in constant light for all 3 shots.

cowanw · Jan 5, 2014

I try to find as many old style B&W filters I can find. Not thin mounts, not multi coated. Lots of front thread on the filter. they can be cheapish on the bay. One pain to avoid is the difficulty in getting non brass filters apart if the threads bind.

Karl A · Jan 5, 2014

Here is an inexpensive set from Tiffen, if you want to buy new. My preference is B+W but they do cost more. I would also agree with other posters to check used. B&H also has a used section, for example, or try KEH.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/457536-REG/Tiffen_67BWFK_67mm_Black_and.html

Jeff Kubach · Jan 5, 2014

You might try buying used from B&H or KEH.

Jeff

trythis · Jan 6, 2014

I appreciate all the helpful advice here, I hadn't thought of used from bhphoto or keh.

Christopher Walrath said:
If your aim is to spend little money, head for you nearest camera shop and go fishing in the cheap bin. If you want to really do good for your photography, especially at such a large thread size, shop around, but come off your low dollar amount or you will get what you pay for.

As for filters, I would hit the basics, red, yellow, green, blue. Get low factor filters to start with until you find out you need stronger filters. I would also get some neutral density filters (NDx2, 4 &8) and also a circ pol. You'll be set for a while. But anything worth buying will definitely run more than ten bucks.

I havent put much thought into the ND filters, I will add to my list of things to experiment with.
I have a circ pol at 58mm and that is fine because the only lens I have for the 67mm are ultra wide.

I am using these on a pile of different cameras, I just plan to use step ups since most of my lenses are 58 or 52. 67mm isnt so big, and I dont plan to own a lens big enough to move up to 72mm.

Karl A said:
Here is an inexpensive set from Tiffen, if you want to buy new. My preference is B+W but they do cost more. I would also agree with other posters to check used. B&H also has a used section, for example, or try KEH.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/457536-REG/Tiffen_67BWFK_67mm_Black_and.html

I can deal with that, its not too much over my bargain hunting dream.

GRHazelton · Jan 6, 2014

Jeff Kubach said:
You might try buying used from B&H or KEH.

Jeff

Excellent advice from Jeff. You might also try this site http://www.filterfind.net/Home.html They have new stock, new in old packaging, used, etc. My experiences with them have been good.

mgb74 · Jan 6, 2014

As you price filters, you'll find a significant increase in cost from 58mm to 67mm. And stepping up to 67mm will probably preclude the use of a hood. So consider whether the additional cost is justified for the one 67mm filter size lens you have.

A "wanted" ad in the classifieds here might turn up something useful. Used filters sell pretty cheap. And sellers here (as well as some other sites) tend to be more reliable in descriptions than the norm on ebay.

RalphLambrecht · Jan 6, 2014

I found better prices with Tiffeneven at Calumet and they are every bit as good as H|oya.B&Ware overpriced in my opinionor at least Idon't understand their price justification.

AgX · Jan 7, 2014

cowanw said:
I try to find as many old style B&W filters I can find. Not thin mounts, not multi coated. Lots of front thread on the filter.

What is the idea behind a long(-er) front thread?

micwag2 · Jan 7, 2014

I bought most of my filters for under $5 from the local thrift store and honestly the majority was $1. I probably have 30 different filters to play with in different thread sizes. I figured for a buck i can't go wrong compared to the cost of new filters. However, you are only going to find what was donated to the thrift store if you're going this route.

AgX · Jan 7, 2014

But 67mm filters are a rarity at rummage boxes and fleamarkets etc. to my experience.

cowanw · Jan 7, 2014

AgX said:
What is the idea behind a long(-er) front thread?

Only that that is a marker for the age of the filter. These are less expensive and less desirable to the new marketing. They are more likely to vignette if stacked but a polarizer is held more firmly to another filter with more turns to the screw.
And besides they are heavier and more solid, which appeals to my luddite aesthetic.

trythis · Jan 7, 2014

mgb74 said:
As you price filters, you'll find a significant increase in cost from 58mm to 67mm. And stepping up to 67mm will probably preclude the use of a hood. So consider whether the additional cost is justified for the one 67mm filter size lens you have.

Good point, but I plan to acquire another lena with a 67mm thread.

Also hoping to get a 6x6 system someday. I am guessing they have a few larger ring sizes.

Recomend some filters for B&W

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