I realize many choose not to use lens filters to avoid degrading IQ, but I sure want to use them to protect the glass from accidentally scratching the lens. Now, I realize L lenses deserve the best filter, but I also believe there's a price/performance ratio that beyond certain filter performance there's little perceptible IQ difference and yet price increases quite a bit more. An analogy would be JPEG compression - while leaving uncompressed at 100% gives a loss-less image, but 80% is totally acceptable with a much smaller file.
So, while I use B+W Clear UV (010M) filters (~$60 USD) for best price/performance, I'd like to poll what y'all use. Again, the purpose of the filter is to protect the lens.
I use B+W mrc or Tiffan digital pro. They are both multicoated quality filters. The b+w have brass which binds less, but less of an issue now days when many lenses have plastic threads. Also a side note, even a jpeg at the least compression is NOT a lossless way to store a file. Every time you save it it DOES loose information just to a less extent.
If you have a lens hood, you don't need a filter IMO. I have some expensive glass that I abuse during weddings quite regularly over the years and never had a scratch yet.
I've used Hoya, Marumi and B&W. I like B&W the best, but the Marumis are a close second and much cheaper. Hoyas are ok optically, but I find them harder to clean.
