Any opinions on the Tiffen Ultra Clear Filters? I know Tiffen are typically low quality, however they have a newer line called Ultra Clear Filter which supposedly provide only protection, no extra actual filter quality. Any opinions as to the quality of these "filters" would be appreciated. Why buy a UV filter for protection if clear glass will suffice and filter out no extra light.
The bottom line is that most people prefer either:
Hoya SMC UV's, or B&W MRC UV
I use the B&W's because I didn't know any better. It turns out that the Hoya's are really good, and much cheaper.
The aforementioned have been shown to have minimal to negligible effects on picture quality (contrast, flare, color).
The only thing I would suggest (if you're willing to do the work), would be to purchase a few filters and see for yourself. Pick up one of these Tiffen clear filters, and also pick up a Hoya Super Multi-coated UV. Take some photographs of general things (a more practical test). See if you notice a difference. If your pictures are satisfactory with the Tiffen, then keep it!
Seriously though, you can skip this test entirely, and just get a Hoya. Rest assured that if you're going to put a piece of glass in front of your very fine lens collection, that it's going to give you the best results possible... and ofcourse some extra protection as well.
Also, a UV filter will give a slight warming effect that some people like, especially when shooting into Haze and shady areas. My EFS 10-22 has a blue-ish tendency rather than the warm look that I prefer. The UV filter reverses that tendency and gives me a more neutral color balance that I can warm up later in post processing.
Ofcourse, you need the coatings on the filter because with out them, light will scatter all over the place, reducing contrast, and messing up the colors as well.
A clear piece of glass for a filter (without coatings, or UV filtration) might be the simplest kind of filter to manufacturer...and potentially, more profitable. I'd say this filter is geared solely towards people who want lens protection. Picture Quality will suffer in my opinion.
Skip the Tiffen. The major issue with filters is contrast/flare because of reflections from the glass. Tiffen does not coat their filters and thus have much more flare and loss of contrast than multicoated filters. Your cheapest "good" filter option is a Hoya S-HMC UV filter. It doesn't matter that the Tiffen is "ultra-clear" because since it is uncoated it will still be "ultra-reflective" .
Here's a test I posted a couple of weeks ago, perhaps more than you care about:
I echo the sentiment that the ONLY filters digital shooters should EVER consider are those that are multi-coated. That covers about 80% of the quality question, with the variation among those who make them accounting for another 10% or so. The remainder is the intangible loss that occurs any time another obstacle is placed between sensor and subject.
I prefer Hoya Pro 1's, because they are both very thin and front-threaded. Do NOT, repeat NOT overpay. Filters are among the highest margin items in a camera store, and few give up that kind of chance at revenue without a fight. Often, a store will make MORE on a single filter than an entire DSLR body.
I prefer many of the fine eBay stores who specialize in Hoya, like sobefoto, where I saved up to 60%, (no small change considering I bought UV(0) and CPL filters in 77, 72, and 58 diameters, for a total of more than $500 in all. That's the cost of some of the lower-priced L lenses or even some non-Canon DSLR bodies, all for six little pieces of coated glass.
On the other hand, when I need them, I am supremely confident in them and that they will not otherwise unduly degrade the image quality. If you've spent a lot of money on your lenses, it's a shame to skimp on a filter that can dim their performance below that of "bargain" lenses.
If your pocketbook is truly stretched, Sigma makes multi-coated filters which, while I feel are not QUITE up to the Hoya/B+W level of reputation excellence, are FAR better than any of the inexpensive (or just plain cheap) filters that are not multi-coated.
The bottom line is that if you are careful and use a lens hood, you don't need a filter for protection.
As for using filters for effects, Photoshop "filters" often produce better results than glass filters. The Photoshop filters don't collect dust and grime, don't produce glare, fit every size lens, can be adjusted in varying degrees, can affect all or any part of the image, are free with Photoshop, etc., etc.
The only type of filter I put on a lens is a polarizer and that is only when I can afford to lose the two extra f-stops.
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