Best Filter for 40mm Pancake?

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intown

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Interested in what everyone thinks is the best filter for the 40mm Pancake?

I am looking protection from scratches and fingerprints from a 3 year old, with out effecting image quality.

I have pre-ordered the lens and B&H recommended a $6 Tiffen UV filter. Is this one as good as any? I do not mind spending more if the money is well spent.

I guess the question could be: Is it a good use of money to upgrade from a $6 UV filter to a $30-$50 UV filter?

Thanks! -- Steven
 
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preppyak

Oct 18, 2011
1,026
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intown said:
I guess the question could be: Is it a good use of money to upgrade from a $6 UV filter to a $30-$50 UV filter?
Click to expand...
This example should help answer your question; even though its a drastic example, it proves a point

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2011/06/good-times-with-bad-filters

Generally I'd say a lens hood is better for protection, but, because the pancake might not be so convenient with lens hoods, I'd say a decent UV filter would be the way to go.
 
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TrumpetPower!

TrumpetPower!

Mar 29, 2012
934
2
If you're letting a three-year-old play with a DSLR, the least of your worries is fingerprints on the glass. Sorry.

Besides, a filter that does what you ask will cost as much as the lens itself, and even then still have a mesureable negative impact on image quality.

Get the child a true child's toy camera, one that's been certified to not be hazardous, and that is cheap enough that you won't even flinch when it turns into a drumstick. And, for the love of your child, please protect him or her from your gear.

Cheers,

b&
 
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neuroanatomist

neuroanatomist

Canon Rumors Premium
Jul 21, 2010
31,440
13,443
intown said:
I guess the question could be: Is it a good use of money to upgrade from a $6 UV filter to a $30-$50 UV filter?
Click to expand...

Absolutely. If you're going to use a clear/UV filter for protection, don't get a cheap one as it will degrade your IQ (which from the MTF charts of the 40/2.8 looks decent).

FunPhotons said:
The B&W 52mm haze filter is $19 at Amazon, don't know about prices elsewhere. I bought one for the upcoming 'pancake breakfast'.
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You're quoting the price for the single-coated version, which lacks the multi-resistant coating (MRC) that resists fingerprints and makes it easy to clean... The MRC verison is $40. Personally, given the lens is 23mm thick, I'd likely not put a standard F-pro mount on it, which adds 5mm.

Personally, I'd get the B+W XS-Pro UV Nano, which is $46 from Amazon.
 
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L

llcanon

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neuroanatomist said:
Personally, given the lens is 23mm thick, I'd likely not put a standard F-pro mount on it, which adds 5mm.

Personally, I'd get the B+W XS-Pro UV Nano, which is $46 from Amazon.
Click to expand...

Totally agreed. If you ever want to put a filter on it, use a slim one. Or just forget about the filter. Heck, my S100 costs more than this lens and I never need a filter for it. To keep its beautiful thinness, I would forget about the hood and the protective filter. The front element appears to be pretty small so it should be very easy to clean.
 
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davidosullivan

davidosullivan

Jun 8, 2012
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without letting this escalate to another filter thread, I have good and bad filters. I also shoot near the ocean a lot where there is a lot of salt spray. I use my good filter until it is dirty then put my $5 ebay filter on my L glass. I then rotate through my 3 cheap ones. when I get home I clean all 4. the way i look at it is a clean cheap filter is better than a dirty $100+ one

if you are expecting fingerprints, they are going to have more effect than the difference between brand name and not. if you can keep it clean, buy the best that you can afford or is sensible for the lens. Personally i think a $100 filter on a $200 lens is strange but that is fine!
 
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FunPhotons

Mar 5, 2012
402
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neuroanatomist said:
FunPhotons said:
The B&W 52mm haze filter is $19 at Amazon, don't know about prices elsewhere. I bought one for the upcoming 'pancake breakfast'.
Click to expand...

You're quoting the price for the single-coated version, which lacks the multi-resistant coating (MRC) that resists fingerprints and makes it easy to clean... The MRC verison is $40. Personally, given the lens is 23mm thick, I'd likely not put a standard F-pro mount on it, which adds 5mm.

Personally, I'd get the B+W XS-Pro UV Nano, which is $46 from Amazon.
Click to expand...

Thanks NA, I ordered the filter you recommended. I use filters on all my lenses so I don't have to think about damaging the lens when I go the ocean (frequently) or put it in my bag (likewise frequently). I also have the bad habit of not being careful with my filter purchases.
 
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I

intown

Guest
Thanks to all that replied. This was exactly what I needed to know.

I am going to look into one of the higher quality filters.

@preppyak The 50 filter experiment was a great demonstration. Thanks!


For what its worth, my intention was not to let my kids play with the camera all the time. It has been my experience when you get down on their level they do love to reach for the lens and they do like to take pictures with some assistance. Just having a little more lens protection for potentially 'hectic' situations is comforting.


BTW. I am very excited about the 40mm pancake. I have been hoping for a lightweight versatile lens for around the house and events. I have the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 and from time to time I wish I had a smaller lens.


Thanks! -- Steven
 
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