UV filter brands

L

LloydC

Veteran
Just purchased a DVX and need to know whether there is a difference between say a Hoya 72mm UV filter and a Cheaper Brand UV filter...

I can buy one for about $30 cheaper than the Hoya
 
With filters, you want to buy the very, very best quality you can possibly get.

Think about it -- you've got the best-imaging camera, with a Leica Dicomar lens on the front -- why would you want to compromise *every frame* it shoots, by putting a cheap filter on the front? Get a Schneider, B+W, or Heliopan filter -- something good, something quality. Don't go with a cheap Cokin resin filter that'll cheapen every shot you take.
 
I've got a Hoya "super HMC" on order - still waiting though..been 3 wks already... the joys of internet shopping advice i was given was to ensure it was coated both in and out to ensure no scattered light reflection (hope i phrased it right...)
 
ive got a $5.0 hoya uv lens on the way lol, so its gonna distort the image? i better get a better one then.
 
Hoya is not a premium brand, but they're not the worst either. The top-of-the-line Hoyas seem okay. Bottom-feeder brands would be things like Digital Optics or Sakar. Or Cokin, Cokins are not known for their optical quality. Or any filter sold by the scam shops or thrown in as bonus accessories -- you can pretty much count on them doing no good for your image.
 
Cokin filters are made of resin, aka plastic. Stay away from these.. They scratch way too easily!
Tiffen uses soda lime glass, aka car window glass, for their clear filter.. It's sad, really.
Schneider uses optical-grade Schott glasses on their clear filter.

Another consideration is that the AR coatings seem to be better on the premium brands.
A solid AR coating results in better contrast. A low grade AR coating would be less effective.
 
Laffen said:
What about the "Merkury" brand filters??
Click to expand...
From their website, merkuryinnovations.com:

"Merkury Innovations Filters are manufactured under the highest and most strict quality standards. Our 3 piece multi coated optical glass Filter kits include..."

So--if they are indeed made of optical grade glass from one of the 3 major optical glass manufacturers and are multi-coated then they are probably pretty good filters, optically speaking. Problem is I have no way of knowing for sure since I haven't used them. Their product portfolio also seems fairly diverse and includes USB card readers and $50 tripods... I think this company is merely importing off shore manufactured goods and re-branding them for distribution. Because of this I am skeptical they would be anything spectacular and probably much like all other imported/re-branded optical products. I personally think filters are very expensive and anywhere I could save a buck, I will. I mean, we're all in business to make a living, right?? So, if I could get the same quality as a Schneider for less money, then I'd go with the other company's product. I just don't have any way of knowing for certain what I'm getting with another company's product, so I've stuck with "the industry standard" to be on the safe side. Hope this helps.
 
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