View Full Version : B+W UV filter good for just lens protection?


Heiko Saele
May 27th, 2013, 04:16 PM
I just got this new Canon 6-78mm HDgc 2/3" lens (http://www.canon.com/bctv/products/kj13x6b_krs.html) for a Sony PMW 350K broadcast camcorder (both unfortunately not my own, but I'll be using these babies a lot and I bought them for my employer)
So now of course I want to put a protection filter in front of the glass.

What I found in a cabinet at work was a fitting 105mm B+W 010 UV Haze MRC (http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/en/photo-imaging/product-field/b-w-fotofilter/products/filtertypes/uv-and-protection-filters/010-uv-haze/) filter. It looks like new, so it is absolutely fine for now.

However, I am not sure if I should be getting a protection-only filter (by another manufacturer, B+W doesn't seem to have these) because it might be better for a modern HD CMOS camera? I mean I know a lot of people are using uv filters to protect their lenses - but could a pure protection-only glass filter be better?

Any opinions welcome, preferrably if you have used a protection filter and a uv filter (both equal high quality like B+W of course) and found that one or the other was better in terms of picture quality.
Or is a UV filter just the same as a protection filter?

... plus if you think the B+W isn't that good anyways, UV or not, maybe you could point me to better one (but it has to be available in 105mm!)

Rainer Listing
May 27th, 2013, 05:43 PM
There's no "of course" anymore. Used to be you'd automatically stick a protection filter on a lens and leave it on, but anything you stick in front of the lens is going to lower your IQ. Not necessarily enough to notice. You have to decide what's more important to you in any situation. Anything glass is going to reduce UV, calling them "protection only" would be a marketing ploy. The laws of optics were established well before CMOS sensors, I'm not aware of any recent changes in filter making technology so I don't think you'll do any better than the filter you found (but that's only an opinion, also interested to hear from others).

Heiko Saele
May 27th, 2013, 06:45 PM
There's no "of course" anymore. Used to be you'd automatically stick a protection filter on a lens and leave it on, but anything you stick in front of the lens is going to lower your IQ.
I know, that's why I usually don't use any protection filters on my dslr equipment, but this new lens just cost around 12,000 Euro and I really don't want to scratch it. I mean I don't necessarily have to use the protection filter all the time. When I'm shooting pictures in an art gallery, I'd probably not use it, but for many other occasions, I'd rather have some protective glass in front of it.
The camera is going to be used in a lot of docu situations, there will be lots of chances for the glass to get damaged!

But I am well aware that the quality with a filter is always worse than without one, which is the reason why I want to get the absolutely best filter.

Allan Black
May 27th, 2013, 07:10 PM
What I found in a cabinet at work was a fitting 105mm B+W 010 UV Haze MRC (http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/en/photo-imaging/product-field/b-w-fotofilter/products/filtertypes/uv-and-protection-filters/010-uv-haze/) filter. It looks like new, so it is absolutely fine for now.

That filter should be fine, we use B+W UV filters, (much safer than damaging a lens) ..

B+W 105mm UV Haze Extra Wide MRC 010M Filter 66-040346 B&H Photo


To install your filter on the lens and not cross thread it, turn it in an anticlockwise direction till you hear a small 'click' then clockwise to tighten it.
Don't overdo it.

To clean them, always use a blower brush to remove any microgrit then lightly breathe on the surface and before it evaporates, and use a clean
Microfibre cloth in a light circular motion. Do it as part of your preparation before you go out, never outdoors.

Cheers.