New lens: need filter advice

[D.Sim]

For a protection filter, dSLRs are basically insensitive to UV wavelengths (unlike film), so there's no difference between UV and clear - get whichever is cheapest.

Hope that helps...

Agree on the fact that dSLRs are insensitive to UV... getting a "UV" filter is more for protecting the front element than anything else now.

On the "cheapest" though... Using ANY filter will degrade IQ, but on better, higher quality filters there is less degradation. If you were to say using the cheaper choice between two similar filters, the only difference being one is just a normal "clear" filter, and the other a "UV" filter, yes, by all means go for the cheaper option, but if one is cheaper because of lower quality/less coatings... you're gonna be sacrificing IQ there.

Of course, taking the filter off when the situation allows it will be good too.

Oh, also, most L lenses "require" a filter to be screwed in to "complete the weather sealing", so something interesting to note while you're outdoors.

 

[Maui5150]

Only issues with "Stacking" filters is it can cause vignetting.

I also heard the the B+W CPL MRC can introduce a bit of this as well and have been debating going to the slim for my CPL instead to negate this

 

[Loswr]

Oh, also, most L lenses "require" a filter to be screwed in to "complete the weather sealing", so something interesting to note while you're outdoors.

That's actually debatable for 'most' L lenses. A filter is definitely required to complete the sealing of a few lenses - 3 current lenses, to be exact. Lenses with exposed internally moving focus or zoom elements have that requirement listed in the manuals - 16-35L II, 17-40L, and 50L. A filter is definitely not required for the super telephoto lenses, since they do not take front filters, but they are weather sealed lenses. For all of the other L series lenses, there's no 'official' statement that a filter is required to complete the sealing. However, in an email exchange with Chuck Westfall he recommended using a filter.

 

[Loswr]

Only issues with "Stacking" filters is it can cause vignetting.

I also heard the the B+W CPL MRC can introduce a bit of this as well and have been debating going to the slim for my CPL instead to negate this

Actually, that depends on the lens being used. Some time back, I tested several lenses for the effect of stacking filters on vignetting. Surprisingly, many lenses can tolerate a pretty thick stack of filters. For example, the 35L at f/1.4 shows no mechanical vignetting even with 3 F-Pro filters stacked on it. On the other hand, the 16-35L II will vignette with an XS-Pro plus F-Pro, meaning a standard CPL will vignette, as will an XS-Pro with a slim CPL stacked, but the slim CPL alone will not.

Here are the lenses that I tested, and the results:

• EF 35mm f/1.4L
• EF 85mm f/1.2L II
• EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II
• EF 24-105mm f/4L IS
• EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS

 

[sheedoe]

Only issues with "Stacking" filters is it can cause vignetting.

I also heard the the B+W CPL MRC can introduce a bit of this as well and have been debating going to the slim for my CPL instead to negate this

Actually, that depends on the lens being used. Some time back, I tested several lenses for the effect of stacking filters on vignetting. Surprisingly, many lenses can tolerate a pretty thick stack of filters. For example, the 35L at f/1.4 shows no mechanical vignetting even with 3 F-Pro filters stacked on it. On the other hand, the 16-35L II will vignette with an XS-Pro plus F-Pro, meaning a standard CPL will vignette, as will an XS-Pro with a slim CPL stacked, but the slim CPL alone will not.

Here are the lenses that I tested, and the results:

• EF 35mm f/1.4L
• EF 85mm f/1.2L II
• EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II
• EF 24-105mm f/4L IS
• EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS

Thanks for the comparison results. I recently ordered a B+W xs-pro UV filter for my Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 II lens, but was a little concerned about whether or not it would cause any vignetting. Glad to learn that it wont .

 

[TexPhoto]

The filter/no-filter/sometimes a filter debate has raged for decades, and you must come to your own conclusion. Here is a great article: http://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test.html

That said, a proper lens hood is a great idea with or without a filter, providing some protection in a fall, keeping stray light out, and improving the photo quality. Not many negatives aside from making polarizing filters harder to turn, and the lenses bigger in the bag.