Protective filter for 24-70 II - standard or thin?

[RC]

Thanks all for sharing your vignetting reults! Just ordered the lens and B&W F Pro filter from B&H and saved myself an extra $300. What a nice surprise that was. Things like that do not happen to me. I almost ordered it last night but decided to post this question about filters vignetting. ;D ;D ;D

Oh, and I already have a 82mm B&W thin CPL that I use on my 16-35 II.

 

[mackguyver]

B+W 82mm XS-Pro UV MRC-Nano 010M Filter

Yes, that works and it's what I use. But the point of the thread was is the thinner mount needed, and it isn't. The F-Pro MRC version works just fine, no additional vignetting, the lens cap fits more snugly (less of a gap, though there still is one at least with the side pinch cap that I have), and it costs 1/3 less.

+3 that's the one I use as well, and it looks like RC bought it, too.

 

[M.ST]

I can´t recommend to use a protective filter.

The only filters you need are polfilters, ND filters and ND grad filters.

But if you want a filter buy a slim filter from B+W.

 

[Dick]

I can´t recommend to use a protective filter.

It is indeed more or less the same as having transparent plastic on your sofa for protection. One could also think about condoms as another example. The additional protection ruins things, but some people would be in pain had they not used protection.

I used filters earlier, but noticed that without them outcomes were better. I still have the filters just in case I need them for something.... Haven't needed them yet and my front elements are doing just fine.

1) an expensive lens + a cheap filter = crap
2) a cheap lens + a cheap filter = crap
3) an expensive lens + an expensive filter = worse than the plain lens = crap

Use the lens hood. In most cases hoods are useless for their initial purpose, but they protect front elements nicely.

 

[mackguyver]

Ah yes, the age old question to use a filter or not to use a filter. For best IQ, no filter. For people (like myself) that aren't always careful or lucky, filters. I have taken filters off my lenses after 2-3 years and they're covered in scratches, so obviously it makes sense for me, but 99% of my shooting is outdoors in harsh conditions.

 

[Dick]

Ah yes, the age old question to use a filter or not to use a filter. For best IQ, no filter. For people (like myself) that aren't always careful or lucky, filters. I have taken filters off my lenses after 2-3 years and they're covered in scratches, so obviously it makes sense for me, but 99% of my shooting is outdoors in harsh conditions.

Canon Glass

 

[docholliday]

Then, there's people like me, who never use a lens cap. Well, except for when I get rid of the lens. Otherwise, it has a Heliopan UV MRC on the front of it at all times and of course, the hood.

 

[hwoarang5]

for bang for buck filter i use Hoya HD on mine very tough and reliable.... i knock, scratch and smudge my filter all the time... so far so good... all my lens are using HOYA HD... last month i was introduce a slightly cheaper ones with equality of quality.. shop seller said its better in fact than HD... i got em for my 135mm F2.. so far so good as well...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/876156-REG/Rodenstock_407211_72mm_UV_Blocking_HR.html

 

[Rienzphotoz]

B+W 82mm XS-Pro UV MRC-Nano 010M Filter

Yes, that works and it's what I use. But the point of the thread was is the thinner mount needed, and it isn't. The F-Pro MRC version works just fine, no additional vignetting, the lens cap fits more snugly (less of a gap, though there still is one at least with the side pinch cap that I have), and it costs 1/3 less.

At your recommendation, I sold all my regular B+W filters to buy B+W XS-Pro versions, now you are promoting the regular B+W filters? not cool man! ;D ... just kidding, actually my earlier (above) post was the last one for the day before I went to bed and didn't bother to check if everything I posted showed up. What I meant to say was that "I recommend XS-Pro version as it can be shared with 16-35 L II, where having a thinner version is better" .... but for some reason only the product name showed up in my earlier post.

 

[digitalpuppy]

I just hit “purchase” on the 24-70 II USM since I didn’t know when the sale would end at B&H. This is a great – but frustrating – thread for me because I thought I knew which filter I was going to purchase: Hoya UV Haze HD, but now after following this thread I am looking at the B+W XS Pro. I also have to admit that those suggesting no filter are making a pretty good case as well.

I do a lot of indoor shooting and plan to use this lens for video (mostly indoor). I’m no pro but really baby all the gear that I own so Dick’s Lens Hood protection method is intriguing.

At the risk of not getting too off-topic, can someone comment on the Hoya UV Haze HD versus the B+W XS Pro?

 

[mackguyver]

I just hit “purchase” on the 24-70 II USM since I didn’t know when the sale would end at B&H. This is a great – but frustrating – thread for me because I thought I knew which filter I was going to purchase: Hoya UV Haze HD, but now after following this thread I am looking at the B+W XS Pro. I also have to admit that those suggesting no filter are making a pretty good case as well.

I do a lot of indoor shooting and plan to use this lens for video (mostly indoor). I’m no pro but really baby all the gear that I own so Dick’s Lens Hood protection method is intriguing.

At the risk of not getting too off-topic, can someone comment on the Hoya UV Haze HD versus the B+W XS Pro?

Congrats on the new lens, though I am a bit envious of the deal you received on it! The Hoya threads are perfectly fine but a bit harder to clean than the B+Ws, especially the Nano models. The trick is to clean the Hoya filters with whatever method you normally use, then breathe on it and use a microfiber cloth to clean off the condensation.

 

[Jim O]

Just to throw some actual data into the mix, look at http://www.lenstip.com/113.4-article-UV_filters_test_Description_of_the_results_and_summary.html. I know it's a few years old, but it's objective (perhaps even "scientific") and may be helpful.

[OFFTOPIC]They also have data on circular polarizers at http://www.lenstip.com/115.4-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Results_and_summary.html. It's also a few years old.[/OFFTOPIC]

Heliopan comes out poorly in both and seems a poor value for the money, at least at the time these were written. Hoya UV filters and Marumi polarizers seem to give the best results. especially when cost is factored into the analysis. Again, this is a few years old and may not reflect current models.

 

[Ripley]

Is there an optical difference between...

- B+W 82mm XS-Pro UV MRC-Nano 010M Filter
- B+W 82mm UV Haze MRC 010M Filter

?

 

[Loswr]

For anyone looking at the Lenstip UV filter tests, like any test where a 'score' is generated, it's important to understand the factors that are used to generate that score.

For example, the B+W filter does better than the Hoya on visibile light transmission and flare, whereas the Hoya does better at blocking UV light (the latter accounts for a 5-point difference on their 40-point scale). In fact, if you look at the measured transmission curves, the reason the Hoya does better at blocking UV is that the left side of the bandpass starts at a slightly shorter wavelength - and that means the Hoya filter blocks UV better at the cost of also blocking some of the visible blue light. The Heliopan, on the other hand, is significantly worse than the Hoya in that it blocks even more of the blue light.

As a dSLR user, I don't care about UV blockage, since dSLR sensors are insensitive to UV (my choice might be different if I was shooting film). But I do care about visible light transmission (including deep blues, where the camera's own reduced insensitivity doens't need the filter makeing it worse), and I care about flare. So for me, the B+W is the better choice from an optical standpoint.

Is there an optical difference between...

- B+W 82mm XS-Pro UV MRC-Nano 010M Filter
- B+W 82mm UV Haze MRC 010M Filter

B+W states, " The nano coating is an outer layer of protection that comes standard with all XS-Pro Digital MRC filters. The nanotechnology based characteristic (lotus effect) produces a better beading effect with water making the cleaning of this filter even simpler and faster than ever before. MRC nano has an improved outer (8th) layer over regular MRC." So, the implication is the the Nano coating provides physical benefits but not optical benefits. I haven't noticed any optical differences between my MRC and my Nano filters.

 

[jasonsim]

I personally use the B+W 82mm XS-Pro UV MRC-Nano 010M Filter and B+W 82mm Kaesemann XS-Pro Circular Polarizer MRC Nano Filter on my 24-70mm f/2.8L IS II lens. They are real quality. But I also use Hoyal Digital Pro-1 UV filters on other Canon L primes that I have. Like Nero says, the Hoya's tend to add a warmth to the photos. I sometimes like that about them. They are really good filters too, but the B+W is just built a bit better.

You might even consider some of the newer Hoya filters like the EVO line:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/855499-REG/Hoya_XEV82UV_82mm_EVO_UV_0.html

 

[J.R.]

Do the lens caps fit with the B+W nano filters?

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

I can´t recommend to use a protective filter.

The only filters you need are polfilters, ND filters and ND grad filters.

It depends. I was once filming a sports celebration, all of a sudden bonfires popped up, next thing I know I get back and notice that tiny embers apparently burned permanent damage marks all over the filter coating. I'm pretty glad I had a filter on! And I once somehow got a scratch on a front element, not sure how, but had it had a filter....

Under decent conditions when flare scenarios are encountered I tend to leave them off though.

But if you want a filter buy a slim filter from B+W.

Why? They cost more and are not needed. Some of the slim ones don't take caps well either. I don't like them at all.
(B+W is good, it's the slim that I'm not fond of)

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

For anyone looking at the Lenstip UV filter tests, like any test where a 'score' is generated, it's important to understand the factors that are used to generate that score.

For example, the B+W filter does better than the Hoya on visibile light transmission and flare, whereas the Hoya does better at blocking UV light (the latter accounts for a 5-point difference on their 40-point scale). In fact, if you look at the measured transmission curves, the reason the Hoya does better at blocking UV is that the left side of the bandpass starts at a slightly shorter wavelength - and that means the Hoya filter blocks UV better at the cost of also blocking some of the visible blue light. The Heliopan, on the other hand, is significantly worse than the Hoya in that it blocks even more of the blue light.

As a dSLR user, I don't care about UV blockage, since dSLR sensors are insensitive to UV (my choice might be different if I was shooting film). But I do care about visible light transmission (including deep blues, where the camera's own reduced insensitivity doens't need the filter makeing it worse), and I care about flare. So for me, the B+W is the better choice from an optical standpoint.

Is there an optical difference between...

- B+W 82mm XS-Pro UV MRC-Nano 010M Filter
- B+W 82mm UV Haze MRC 010M Filter

B+W states, " The nano coating is an outer layer of protection that comes standard with all XS-Pro Digital MRC filters. The nanotechnology based characteristic (lotus effect) produces a better beading effect with water making the cleaning of this filter even simpler and faster than ever before. MRC nano has an improved outer (8th) layer over regular MRC." So, the implication is the the Nano coating provides physical benefits but not optical benefits. I haven't noticed any optical differences between my MRC and my Nano filters.

+1

also, just get a clear 007 B+W and get even more complete spectral transmission, digital doesn't need UV cut

 

[Rienzphotoz]

Do the lens caps fit with the B+W nano filters?

Yes the lens cap fits the B+W XS-Pro Nano filters ... and the good thing is they are almost as thin as the slim filters.

 

[Loswr]

Do the lens caps fit with the B+W nano filters?

Yes. There's a small gap (~0.75 mm), but I haven't found it to be a problem. The F-Pro filters have a gap, too, although it's smaller.