UV/protection filter recommendations

scenic_man (me, the original poster) wrote:

If this is the wrong group, please direct me to the correct one.

I recently bought a second-hand Tamron 200-400mm zoom for my Nikon.
It didn't come with a UV or other filter to physically protect the outer
element. So I need to buy one.
However, at 77mm, the first-tier filters (B+W etc) are *really* expensive.
So, I'd like to consider my options.
Would anyone care to recommend for or against (and why):

brand X
Sunpak
Adorama
Kenko
Hoya
Tiffen
B+W
others?

Also, would anyone care to discuss the relative (dis)advantages
of using UV, Sky1A, Sky1B, etc for this purpose?

~ Scenic Man ~

WELL! You've all been very helpful! Thank you very much.
Nobody even got snide about my temporary solution using plastic wrap! :-)

So, now I am much better informed about
(1) the differences between:
a. clear
b. UV
c. Sky-1A
d. Sky-1B
e. one other that I forget at the moment
(2) the differences between:
a. filters w/ dyes in material sandwiched between glass
b. filters w/ dyes in the glass itself
(3) optical differences between different brands of filter
(4) physical differences between different brands of filter
(5) different approaches to lens protection, including:
a. permanent protective filter
b. protective filter removed when taking photographs
c. various kinds of lens caps
(6) a couple of other issues that I forget at the moment.

Based on this and on my own priorities, I can make an informed decision
of my own.

When I get a chance, I will condense or "digest" this all into a summary,
and either post it here or put it out on the web and post a link to it here.

This is a *PERFECT* example of how Usenet newsgroups can work, should work,
and have worked since I first encountered them in the early 1980's
(by which time they were already old hat for a lot of people).

Thank you all again.

~ Scenic Man ~

scenic_man wrote:
If this is the wrong group, please direct me to the correct one.

I recently bought a second-hand Tamron 200-400mm zoom for my Nikon.
It didn't come with a UV or other filter to physically protect the outer
element.
So I need to buy one.
However, at 77mm, the first-tier filters (B+W etc) are *really* expensive.
So, I'd like to consider my options.
Would anyone care to recommend for or against (and why):

brand X
Sunpak
Adorama
Kenko
Hoya
Tiffen
B+W
others?

A 200-400mm isn't a cheap piece of glass.
Fork over a few $'s for a good quality filter. You'll be happy you did.

Don


Mapplethorpe, Ansel Adams, Photoshop manuals:
http://www.1world-design.com/book/


Also, would anyone care to discuss the relative (dis)advantages
of using UV, Sky1A, Sky1B, etc for this purpose?

~ Scenic Man ~

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scenic_man wrote:
If this is the wrong group, please direct me to the correct one.

I recently bought a second-hand Tamron 200-400mm zoom for my Nikon.
It didn't come with a UV or other filter to physically protect the outer
element.
So I need to buy one.
However, at 77mm, the first-tier filters (B+W etc) are *really* expensive.
So, I'd like to consider my options.
Would anyone care to recommend for or against (and why):

brand X
Sunpak
Adorama
Kenko
Hoya
Tiffen
B+W
others?

Also, would anyone care to discuss the relative (dis)advantages
of using UV, Sky1A, Sky1B, etc for this purpose?

I use B+W. I used to use those brand X filters, because that is
what my local dealer sells. Noticed a real difference when I
went to the B+W. Regardless of brand, get multicoated filters.
Sky filters will have a slight warming effect.

SEE --
http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/...andbook8_9.pdf
- -OR-
http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/...dbook_Full.pdf

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