topic Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood in EF & RF Lenses

Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

shorty1 — Sun, 29 May 2016 22:46:09 GMT

I am looking into purchasing a UV filter to protect my 18-135mm IS USM lens. Is the B+W 67mm UV Haze MRC 010M Filter a good filter to use if I would like to keep the filter on all of the time? Would a standard lens cap fit on top of this?

Is the Canon EW-73D lens hood a good lens hood to use on top of the Canon 18-135mm lens?

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

RobertTheFat — Sun, 29 May 2016 23:42:39 GMT

@shorty1 wrote:
I am looking into purchasing a UV filter to protect my 18-135mm IS USM lens. Is the B+W 67mm UV Haze MRC 010M Filter a good filter to use if I would like to keep the filter on all of the time? Would a standard lens cap fit on top of this?

Is the Canon EW-73D lens hood a good lens hood to use on top of the Canon 18-135mm lens?

B+W filters are excellent but expensive.

Most in this forum would probably say that you don't need a protective filter, especially if you're using a lens hood. I think I fall into that category, though I did once try to nibble while covering an event that had a buffet table, and stuck the end of my lens into a dish of sour cream dip.

There's no such thing as a good or bad Canon hood for one of their lenses, just the right one or a wrong one. Always use the one they recommend, or it may interfere with the field of view. Lens hoods typically have very close tolerances in that respect. If you use a 3rd-party hood, make sure it's an exact replacement for the correct Canon hood.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

ScottyP — Mon, 30 May 2016 01:38:15 GMT

UV filters are of very limited use. The ads make it sound like the world is out to shatter your front lens element, and would do so but for a UV filter.

Given the cost of a good one I don't think you'd really hit the cost-benefit sweet spot unless it was for an expensive ($1500+) lens. I personally can't see any difference in colors, glare, etc., on lenses that have their own lens coatings. Maybe on a cheap lens, but then the cost-benefit thing kicks in...

Lens hoods, however, are great. People should use them more.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

ebiggs1 — Mon, 30 May 2016 12:39:38 GMT

"... it sound like the world is out to shatter your front lens element..."

It really isn't only the matter of not wanting the front element shattered, it is also keeping the sour cream dip off of it. Probably the best benefit of a protective filter is, you clean it and not the rather fragile front element.

Filters of any kind, save for a very limited few, are largely obsolete. They have become products of the past.

People that say filters are not needed do not regularly shoot little kids. The first place, must be irresistible, to stick their fingers is in the lens hood and right on to the front element. They don't go to the beach. Shoot in dusty conditions. The mist or rain, and on and on. Would you rather clean your front element or a replaceable cheaper filter? The truth of the matter is some "L" lenses require a protective filter to make them weather tight. It isn't a choice if you want weather sealing.

A lens than had a filter on it tends to sell for more and quicker if you want to sell the lens later.

B+W filters are about as good as filters get. They aren't cheap and are probably better than you need for your lens. But if you want the best, go for one.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

TTMartin — Mon, 30 May 2016 13:39:41 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"... it sound like the world is out to shatter your front lens element..."

It really isn't only the matter of not wanting the front element shattered, it is also keeping the sour cream dip off of it. Probably the best benefit of a protective filter is, you clean it and not the rather fragile front element.
Filters of any kind, save for a very limited few, are largely obsolete. They have become products of the past.

People that say filters are not needed do not regularly shoot little kids. The first place, must be irresistible, to stick their fingers is in the lens hood and right on to the front element. They don't go to the beach. Shoot in dusty conditions. The mist or rain, and on and on. Would you rather clean your front element or a replaceable cheaper filter? The truth of the matter is some "L" lenses require a protective filter to make them weather tight. It isn't a choice if you want weather sealing.

A lens than had a filter on it tends to sell for more and quicker if you want to sell the lens later.

B+W filters are about as good as filters get. They aren't cheap and are probably better than you need for your lens. But if you want the best, go for one.

And if you want a protective filter get a 'Clear' one, not a UV. Your camera already has a built in UV filter over the sensor, so there is no need for one on the lens. There are some reports that UV filters can contribute to focus issues.B+W does make a Clear MRC or MRC-nano filter.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

Waddizzle — Mon, 30 May 2016 18:30:29 GMT

"A lens [that has] a filter on it tends to sell for more and quicker if you want to sell the lens later."

Quite true! I got a quote on a lens, and the filter added 10% to the quoted value. Not only did the lens have a filter, but the front of the lens was in perfect condition. I had installed the filter when the lens was new, and never once removed it.

I use protective filters on all of my lenses. I think the cost of the B&W filters are competitive. The bargain filters that I have bought seem to have caused the occasional focusing issues and hazing. I have never had that experience with B&W "Nano" filters.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

RobertTheFat — Mon, 30 May 2016 22:16:16 GMT

@TTMartin wrote:
@ebiggs1 wrote:
"... it sound like the world is out to shatter your front lens element..."

It really isn't only the matter of not wanting the front element shattered, it is also keeping the sour cream dip off of it. Probably the best benefit of a protective filter is, you clean it and not the rather fragile front element.
Filters of any kind, save for a very limited few, are largely obsolete. They have become products of the past.

People that say filters are not needed do not regularly shoot little kids. The first place, must be irresistible, to stick their fingers is in the lens hood and right on to the front element. They don't go to the beach. Shoot in dusty conditions. The mist or rain, and on and on. Would you rather clean your front element or a replaceable cheaper filter? The truth of the matter is some "L" lenses require a protective filter to make them weather tight. It isn't a choice if you want weather sealing.

A lens than had a filter on it tends to sell for more and quicker if you want to sell the lens later.

B+W filters are about as good as filters get. They aren't cheap and are probably better than you need for your lens. But if you want the best, go for one.
And if you want a protective filter get a 'Clear' one, not a UV. Your camera already has a built in UV filter over the sensor, so there is no need for one on the lens. There are some reports that UV filters can contribute to focus issues.B+W does make a Clear MRC or MRC-nano filter.

Oddly, a "clear" filter may cost more than a UV filter. Most glass does a good job of filtering out UV. That's why photochromic sunglasses don't work very well in an automobile and why, now that most cars are air-conditioned, drivers' sunburned arms have become a thing of the past.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

ebiggs1 — Tue, 31 May 2016 01:23:42 GMT

"I use protective filters on all of my lenses."

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

shorty1 — Tue, 31 May 2016 01:38:34 GMT

Which protective filter are you using?

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

TTMartin — Tue, 31 May 2016 13:17:16 GMT

@shorty1 wrote:
Which protective filter are you using?

I just ordered a B+W 77mm XS-Pro Clear with Multi-Resistant Nano Coating (007M) for my new EF 100-400 L IS II. It is available in a variety of sizes.

I treat a protective filter as an extra lens cap. I remove it in environments where it is not need and leave it on at places where it is (i.e. the beach).

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

Waddizzle — Tue, 31 May 2016 15:28:41 GMT

@TTMartin wrote:
@shorty1 wrote:
Which protective filter are you using?
I just ordered a B+W 77mm XS-Pro Clear with Multi-Resistant Nano Coating (007M) for my new EF 100-400 L IS II. It is available in a variety of sizes.

I treat a protective filter as an extra lens cap. I remove it in environments where it is not need and leave it on at places where it is (i.e. the beach).

The B&W 77mm NANO filters are very competively priced. They are right in the middle of the price range.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

shorty1 — Tue, 31 May 2016 15:51:34 GMT

I looked at this Nano lens filter, but am not sure that the canon lens hood will fit on top of the filter.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

Waddizzle — Tue, 31 May 2016 23:53:01 GMT

@shorty1 wrote:
I looked at this Nano lens filter, but am not sure that the canon lens hood will fit on top of the filter.

Despite the 18-135mm IS USM being a fairly new lens, I would not expect any such issues with it fitting with the hood. Most reputable online vendors allow you to return items. I mostly use B&H Photo Video, which is renowned for their customer service AFTER the sale.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

TTMartin — Tue, 31 May 2016 18:31:16 GMT

@shorty1 wrote:
I looked at this Nano lens filter, but am not sure that the canon lens hood will fit on top of the filter.

The EW-73D lens hood does not screw into the filter, it attaches to the front lip of the lens. If the lens hood wont fit with the Nano filter, it wont fit with any filter.

edit: also Nano refers to the type coating on the filter

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

TTMartin — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 13:12:47 GMT

I think the Nano coating is similar to Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC)

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

shorty1 — Tue, 31 May 2016 20:44:54 GMT

Thanks for the diagram. I ended up getting a B&W 67mm Clear MRC 007M Filter since it is good enough for my purposes.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

ebiggs1 — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 02:46:27 GMT

"... it is good enough for my purposes."

Absolutely! Good choice. I was shooting at a rapidly flowing water fall today. Folks that say a filter isn't needed, just don't get out enough. Lots better than cleaning the mist off every couple minutes than scrub the front element. IMHO, of course.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

Waddizzle — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 12:52:52 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"... it is good enough for my purposes."

Absolutely! Good choice. I was shooting at a rapidly flowing water fall today. Folks that say a filter isn't needed, just don't get out enough. Lots better cleaning the mist off every couple minutes than scrub the front element. IMHO, of course.

The risks to your gear are everywhere, folks, most especially if you like to shoot outdoors. Pollen, and other airborned organic material like mold spores, is another outdoor lens hazard that you can encounter. I encounter airborne organics all of the time.

And, I wish how many times I could tell you that I have learned that sitting in my car with the air conditioning on, and changing a lens, is a very good way to get your camera sensor and lens dirty.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

RobertTheFat — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 13:59:35 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
@ebiggs1 wrote:
"... it is good enough for my purposes."

Absolutely! Good choice. I was shooting at a rapidly flowing water fall today. Folks that say a filter isn't needed, just don't get out enough. Lots better cleaning the mist off every couple minutes than scrub the front element. IMHO, of course.
The risks to your gear are everywhere, folks, most especially if you like to shoot outdoors. Pollen, and other airborned organic material like mold spores, is another outdoor lens hazard that you can encounter. I encounter airborne organics all of the time.

And, I wish how many times I could tell you that I have learned that sitting in my car with the air conditioning on, and changing a lens, is a very good way to get your camera sensor and lens dirty.

There are plenty of other ways, though, some of them even more effective (a day at the beach, for instance). My attempted defense is to be a CPS member and try to send each camera or lens in for cleaning every two years or so.

Re: Need advice on protective filter and lens hood

shorty1 — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 16:11:46 GMT

I decided to get a protective filter because on a windy day, there is a lot of dust flying around at the baseball fields.