I recently purchased a Canon 24-70mm and now need a filter for it. Should i spend the extra money and get a Hoya or get a Quantaray? I am also looking for a polarizer filter, any suggestions? Is there a website I can go to for discounted filters?
Don't use a filter use the lens hood. No point shelling out for the best Canon short zoom and then introducing two new surfaces to collect dust that the lens doesn't allow for.
For a polarizer buy a Cokin P or similar that will fit all your lenses with adaptors and save yourself a fortune.
Quantaray filters are junk optically. Why would one spend >1K for a pro grade lens and then put a piece of junk glass on the front of it. If your conditions dictate the need for a protective filter (most don't), on a lens of this grade, the best multicoated filters are the best choice.
I put B+W MRC UV filters on all of my glass. They are very easy to clean and you don't have to worry about scratching the coatings like you do the front element. Some people will argue otherwise, but aside from a few reflection issues in certain shooting conditions, they don't reduce picture quality whatsoever.
I use the Hoya Pro1 digital filters, and they don't seem to degrade image quality...especially on my 70-200. Although, they are reportedly hard to clean...but I havent need to so I cannot say for sure.
dhphoto wrote:
Don't use a filter use the lens hood. No point shelling out for the best Canon short zoom and then introducing two new surfaces to collect dust that the lens doesn't allow for.
For a polarizer buy a Cokin P or similar that will fit all your lenses with adaptors and save yourself a fortune.
David
I agree with David. use a lens hood. No need for extra glass unless needed. Put all the extra money into a Polarizer.
For Polarizer I use B+W. I bought the 77mm version and have adapter rings so I can put it on other lenses with 52, 58, 67, and 72mm diameters.
Look at the Heliopans as well as B+W, for both UV and cir pols.
You will find numerous threads on the pros and cons of filters vs hoods. It really is down to personal preference. Personally I prefer a very good quality filter on my lenses.I'm not huge on hoods unless it's raining/snowing etc.
I have found that the schott glass filters (Heliopan, Rodenstock and B+W) are the best. I steer clear of the rest.
