Filters

andy5452 · 13-08-2006, 11:36

Hi

I need clarification please. I`ve got a lens or two and I`ve bought a couple of clear filters to protect the lens as recommended by the guy I bought the stuff from. But. What is the difference between, for example: a £2.99 clear filter from an online store and a £30 clear filter from a high street shop. Same question for other filters such as a CPL (£10.00 unbranded - online) and 5x as much for a branded version from the high street.

Cheers

Andy

AlexMonro · 13-08-2006, 13:05

Part of the difference is probably the shop's markup. But if you're lucky, with the more expensive filters you also get better coatings, which in turn should give you less flare and better contrast..

andy5452 · 13-08-2006, 13:23

Even if it`s just a clear UV??

RichB · 13-08-2006, 15:28

Andy, I assume by "clear" you're in fact referring to a skylight filter, also known as UV?

Yes, even a clear UV, the better ones are multi-coated, and it does make a difference, and the known brands are of a higher quality glass. You do get what you pay for; I tend to get mine off the auction sites, or from the international online companies, rather than the high street shops.

Same applies to CPL, although of course, they're not multicoated!

andy5452 · 13-08-2006, 15:32

Yup I mean UV. I bought 2 1 from ebay at 3.99 and another from the high street at £27.99 ... and they look the same to my (new to photography) eye.. ditto for CPL

**stepheno** · 13-08-2006, 15:34

As said above. If you buy shop brand it could be made anywhere but if you stick to quality brands you will pay more. I use Hoya (blue label, better than green lanel) and there Pro CP is about £75. With any glass you do pay for quality - don't buy filters off Ebay unless it is a know respected brand.

Toonie · 13-08-2006, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichB

Andy, I assume by "clear" you're in fact referring to a skylight filter, also known as UV?

Skylight & Uv filters are NOT the same but both are used by many people for lens protection

andy5452 · 13-08-2006, 23:20

whats the difference??

Andy

Toonie · 14-08-2006, 01:24

Andy

UV filters absorb UV light and are clear glass. Skylight filters are colored glass and usually have a touch of pink. In addition to absorbing UV light, the pinkish color of a Skylight filter can also counter the excessive blue color of the sky in a sunny day, and produce a warmish tone.

RichB · 14-08-2006, 09:41

Thanks for spotting my mistake Toonie!

Always helps to check the typing before hitting the post button! Somehow the word mistakenly got deleted before the "known as UV" !!!!

The skylight also comes in two strengths, 1A and 1B.

Stepheno, by ProCP do you mean the HMC Super (black label) series? Or is there a fourth range?

**stepheno** · 14-08-2006, 10:21

Pro 1 series - examples here . Not cheap

**Markulous** · 14-08-2006, 10:41

S'pose for the sake of completeness, worth also mentioning quality of glass, accurate alignment in holder, thickness/size filter.

Personally, cheap and cheerful does me as lenses not that great, usually filthy and pics not worth the pixels!

RichB · 14-08-2006, 11:36

Stepheno, it's all relative after all, if you guys spend 3-4 figures on a lens for a quality product, why then only spend pittance on a filter that negatively influences the outcome of the picture?!!!

**Angela** · 14-08-2006, 12:03

This threadl answers one of my questions nicely too. I was also persuaded to buy a UV filter to protect the lens, which I understand but I couldn't understand why the chap in the shop said it would improve the pictures...now I do!

14-08-2006, 12:05	#15 (permalink)
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