Best filter for 70-200 f/2.8L IS II USM?

[canon23]

Guys, I'm going to get this lens and was wondering for the Photogs out there that owns and uses this lens, what's the best lens filter for this?  Please advise and thanks for your help!

Sorry...purpose basically is for:  Front element protection & Polarizing the incoming light...but mainly for Front element protection w/o degrading much of the quality.  Thanks.

[neuroanatomist]

Best filter for what?  Front element protection?  Adding a starburst effect to points of light in your image?  Polarizing the incoming light?  Achieving a slow shutter speed for waterfalls?  Softening the image for that special Star Trek-like dreamy glow?

More specifics, please...

[Razor2012]

Guys, I'm going to get this lens and was wondering for the Photogs out there that owns and uses this lens, what's the best lens filter for this?  Please advise and thanks for your help!

Sorry...purpose basically is for:  Front element protection & Polarizing the incoming light...but mainly for Front element protection w/o degrading much of the quality.  Thanks.

For all screw on lens filters I use B+W, specifically the XS-Pro series with Nano coating.  I have the UV on all the time and also use the polarizer.  A little pricey, but IMO the best.

[Studio1930]

B+W 010 MC on all of the time for protection.
B+W circular polarizer as needed.  I don't stack them since they tend to get stuck (even with brass).

The MC (multi coated) is a must when available.

[neuroanatomist]

specifically the XS-Pro series

Definitely the XS-Pro.  A standard F-Pro mount increases vignetting when shooting wide open.

[bornshooter]

Best filter for what?  Front element protection?  Adding a starburst effect to points of light in your image?  Polarizing the incoming light?  Achieving a slow shutter speed for waterfalls?  Softening the image for that special Star Trek-like dreamy glow?

More specifics, please...

no need to be a smart arse neuro.

[bornshooter]

Guys, I'm going to get this lens and was wondering for the Photogs out there that owns and uses this lens, what's the best lens filter for this?  Please advise and thanks for your help!

Sorry...purpose basically is for:  Front element protection & Polarizing the incoming light...but mainly for Front element protection w/o degrading much of the quality.  Thanks.

if you really must use a UV filter use b&w or hoya hd the same goes for polarisers these are the two most common purchased filters aswell as nd filters.

[neuroanatomist]

If someone asked for a lens recommendation, without stating what they wanted to shoot or use the lens for, wouldn't a request for clarification make sense?  B+W offers close to 200 different 77mm filters which could be mounted on the 70-200 II - that's more filters in the catalog than Canon has current lenses. 

Sorry, bornshooter, but can you please explain how you think it's at all inappropriate to ask for clarification on use?

Note: after my post, the OP edited the initial post to clarify the intended use. 

[neuroanatomist]

Sorry...purpose basically is for:  Front element protection & Polarizing the incoming light...but mainly for Front element protection w/o degrading much of the quality.

In that case, I'd echo Razor2012's and subsequent recommendations.  For protection, a B+W XS-Pro Nano, either UV or clear (there's no optical difference for use on a dSLR, so pick whichever is cheaper or more easily available for you).  For polarization, a B+W Käsemann CPL.

Don't get a CPL for both - I sometimes see people leaving the CPL on all the time, not realizing it's costing them ~1.75 stops of light.

[canon816]

I used to use High End B+W 010 MC Filters on all my lenses but they were a real pain to clean in my opinion.  It was very difficult get rid of streaks. 

I switched over to Hoya UV Pro 1 which are 1/3 the cost, clean streak free without much trouble.... and If I ding one up (which I have) its only 1/3 the cost of the B+W to replace it.  Also there is really no difference in IQ between the two brands' high end line.

That said I use B+W Kaismann circular polarizer when needed.

FYI:  Lens cleaners that contain alcohol or other chemicals should be avoided for cleaning lenses with coatings.  The coatings break down over time and can affect your image.  Use only water or hoodman makes an enzyme wipe that is a wet/dry combo.  It is very expensive (relatively) at $1 per wipe but does a superb job and one wipe will clean all of your lenses....

[Razor2012]

I used to use High End B+W 010 MC Filters on all my lenses but they were a real pain to clean in my opinion.  It was very difficult get rid of streaks. 

I switched over to Hoya UV Pro 1 which are 1/3 the cost, clean streak free without much trouble.... and If I ding one up (which I have) its only 1/3 the cost of the B+W to replace it.  Also there is really no difference in IQ between the two brands' high end line.

That said I use B+W Kaismann circular polarizer when needed.

FYI:  Lens cleaners that contain alcohol or other chemicals should be avoided for cleaning lenses with coatings.  The coatings break down over time and can affect your image.  Use only water or hoodman makes an enzyme wipe that is a wet/dry combo.  It is very expensive (relatively) at $1 per wipe but does a superb job and one wipe will clean all of your lenses....

The XS-Pro's with Nano coating seem to clean very well.  I haven't had any problems with them.

[LostArk]

I only buy Hoya filters, specifically Hoya HD whenever possible. Unsurpassed optical quality and, well, once I saw the demo of the "unbreakable" glass I was sold.

Indestructable Hoya HD Filter	Small | Large

[HoneyBadger]

I am thinking about buying that lens in a few months. I always use b+w filters on everything. For the 70-200, I would think a regular F-Pro mount B+W wouldnt cause vignetting. I have never used that lens though. The F-pro mount is 5mm thick I believe.

For protection buy one of their clear multicoated. You can get it in UV haze or no UV haze. I usually buy the cheaper one but lean towards the no UV haze version.

No Haze-http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/475495-REG/B_W_661001705_77mm_007_Protection_Clear.html ~$79

Haze-http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/11994-REG/B_W_66_070252_77mm_UV_Haze_010.html
~$70
At 10 dollar difference I would buy the no haze.

For the polarizer, I bought a top notch one with my first lens and use step rings for all my other lenses. If you need more than one great polarizer, buying the 82mm and stepping down is the way to go especially if you plan on using canon's 16-35mm 2.8L II or the upcoming 24-70 2.8l IS II.

(B+W 82mm Kaesemann XS-Pro Circular Polarizer MRC Nano Filter) ~$250
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/752977-REG/B_W_1066401_82mm_XS_Pro_Digital_MC.html

(B+W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer MRC Filter) ~$144
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/10889-REG/B_W_66_045620_77mm_Kaeseman_Circular_Polarizing.html

[neuroanatomist]

For the 70-200, I would think a regular F-Pro mount B+W wouldnt cause vignetting. I have never used that lens though. The F-pro mount is 5mm thick I believe.

I didn't think it would, either.  Then I checked mine, and it does.  There was a thread on this a while back, I posted some test images in this post. 

[HoneyBadger]

Ah good to know. Thanks Neuro! When I get this lens I will go for the XS-Pro. To the OP..get the XS-Pro and not the slim line. The Slim line has no front threading for any additional filters and sucks for keeping a lens cap on.