Protecting HVX lens

John Rivers

John Rivers

Active member
Hey everyone,

Ordered the my HVX today (woo!). I was wondering about what to do (if anything) to protect the lens. On one hand I could purchase an 82mm threaded Tiffen Polarizer or even just a Clear Filter, but I've also heard opinions that putting such a filter onto the front of the lens results in a worse picture and possible lens flaring.

What would you suggest?

Any other recommended "musts" to help protect this investment?

Thanks everyone.

(btw, if this is discussed on another thread somewhere, I apologize, there are alot of threads and if one exists I haven't seen it yet). :costumed-smiley-047
 
82mm B+W UV/haze filter...better to put glass in front of the lens than risk damaging it - so go with a high quality

you also *must* get a pelican or pelican-type case (1550 or 1600 works fine)
 
I've used the old standby UV filters for protecting my lenses. Any glass you put in front of the lens is going to reduce resolution to some degree (depending on manufacturer.) The loss of resolution from a Tiffen should be almost undetectable, unless you're shooting a resolution chart. The UVs also tend to create more lens flare.

It basically comes down to the envornment are you shooting in: If you're shooting in a studio environment, I'd leave the filter off. If you're shooting run and gun news style in all sorts of weather/locations, I'd definitely consider the UV.
 
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I talked with Barbara at AVS about the B+W UV filter for lens protection. She said many people prefer the Formatt HD clear filter for the HVX200.
 
B+W or Heliopan have the best filter coatings just make sure you get the "MRC" or "Super multicoated" then you won't get unwanted refletions or flare.
 
So an 82mm B+W UV/Haze filter seems like a good route I take it?

Btw, I had gotten the impression from other forums that Tiffen made the best filters. Is B+W better, or perhaps better with some types of filters?
 
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John Rivers said:
Oh yea, one more thought:

So I just looked up the price of the 82mm B+W MRC Circular Polarizing Filter from some online retailers, the price seems to be around $200. Yeesh, just when I thought my wallet was safe...

I have access to (close to own, really) a Tiffen 4x4 Ultra Circular Polarizing White Water Glass Filter (in addition to a Tiffen 4x4 ND .6 Filter). Would it make more sense to just get a cheap mattebox to use these filters, and ideally costs about the same as the single B+W Polarizer?

And one more (sorry!): Would the 4x4 Filters work with the HVX in the first place? Or would I face any problems?

Thanks everyone.
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IMO the multicoated expensive filters don't degrade the image, and I'd personally just stick with a UV. For interiors the Polarizer might cut down too much light.

I don't know if the 4x4 filters are multicoated... but I'd avoid filter's that are not.
 
John Rivers said:
So an 82mm B+W UV/Haze filter seems like a good route I take it?

Btw, I had gotten the impression from other forums that Tiffen made the best filters. Is B+W better, or perhaps better with some types of filters?
Click to expand...

yea i think B+W is a better quality glass...
 
A $100 clear filter is much cheaper then sending the camera in. Especially with a fixed lens like the HVX.

The other bonus is that if the lense gets wet, dirty or fogged up, you have a "second chance" by striping the clear filter, give it to your PA to clean and keep shooting.
 
I picked up a nice filter from an online auction for half price at 50 bucks. took a while to ship, but same filter at half the price.

I also don't think Tiffen filters are the best. They do seem reasonably priced and therefore in circulation....

Anyone buy one of those circular polarizers and such? For over 200.. I'd like to hear the results first. I want to get a matte box, but that is going to have to wait.. and I'll make due with the screw on filters till then....
 
Ok, so here's what I'm thinking I'm going to do:

Since I'm pretty much broke, the HVX seems to be able to do a good deal of image adjustments within the camera, I'm gonna jump on the 82mm B+W UV/Haze MRC Filter. Sounds good, eh?

EDIT: apparently there is an "extra wide" and a "slim" version, and a normal one as well. Which one do I get?

Thanks everyone.
 
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don't get a slimline - they're for stacking filters (to avoid vignetting [sp?])

they don't have threads on the outside so you won't be able to put the lens cap on....normal one should be fine...i think that's a great filter for the budget...B+W glass is awesome
 
Might seem like a dumb question... did a search and couldn't find anything, but how does the UV filter attach to the lens on the HVX? I guess I don't see how it could fit without obstructing the lens hood which needs to lock in position.
 
Geoff_R said:
Might seem like a dumb question... did a search and couldn't find anything, but how does the UV filter attach to the lens on the HVX? I guess I don't see how it could fit without obstructing the lens hood which needs to lock in position.
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upon a lengthy inspection... i think it might have to do with the threads near the lens... :banned: LoL
 
wait, how could the normal filter work if the HVX has a wide angle?

I guess the main concern is, at the HVX's widest angle, will the normal B+W UV filter cause vignetting?
 
Trademark said:
upon a lengthy inspection... i think it might have to do with the threads near the lens... :banned: LoL
Click to expand...

I understand that it needs the threads near the lens, I guess I'm more concerned with removing everything to attach the filter. When I unscrew the lens hood and remove it, I'm right at the focus wheel. I didn't see anything that would allow me to remove that. I don't want to start twisting and pulling things randomly. How can I safely detach the focus wheel?
 
Why would you remove the focus wheel? Screw the filter in the thread where the lenshood was, and then screw the lenshood onto the filter. Or if it's a snap on, it should fit over the filter.
Et voila...
 
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