Yet another protective lens question at DVinfo.net

David McKnight · June 15th, 2006, 02:12 PM

We have a beach shoot coming up, and have been perusing the board for protective gear threads. Lots of good info; quick question on inexpensive filters, which for this application will probably be ok; B&H has some Tiffen filters for around $15, are these noticably better than the $10 sunpaks from Best Buy?

BB also sells a sony kit for $33 that has a multicoat filter and an ND filter.

Richard Zlamany · June 15th, 2006, 11:56 PM

I was burned bad by an inexpensive filter on a pd170. The focus looked soft most of the time. I don't know if it was me, the filter, or a combination of both, but I never had this problem before or after I took the filter off.

For now I use no filter and I just shot a wedding on a beach. It looked great.
For the most part I won't use filters anymore for weddings. I'm just careful with the camera, especially when shooting the limo arrival and departure near the roadside.

Personally, I'm willing to take the chance with lens damage. Some shooters have other approaches.

My advice is buy an expensive filter or use none at all.

Marcus Marchesseault · June 16th, 2006, 01:37 AM

I shoot weddings with a .7x WA adapter in place most of the time so a filter is not needed. I would use a multi-coated UV filter if I felt the need. I think Hoya makes affordable multi-coated glass filters. Take a look at B&H.

Mike Rehmus · June 16th, 2006, 03:06 PM

I seriously doubt that that inexpensive a filter will deliver a good performance in an environment that will do its best to cause ghost reflections and generally disclose optical inadequacies in your gear.

That said, a $10 filter will probably protect the front lens element.

But if you are going to the trouble and expense to use the beach as a locatation, why not use an adequate filter? A good Hoya, a B+W or something you know will work this time and all the time.

I've only lost one B+W filter when a bit of gravel was kicked up by a flash-bang grenade while I was covering SWAT training. Given the years of good performance by the filter before that happened, I had no hesitation in ordering another one from B&H the next day.

David McKnight · June 23rd, 2006, 02:14 PM

Good advice! Thanks.

June 15th, 2006, 02:12 PM	#1
David McKnight Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas City, TX Posts: 39	Yet another protective lens question We have a beach shoot coming up, and have been perusing the board for protective gear threads. Lots of good info; quick question on inexpensive filters, which for this application will probably be ok; B&H has some Tiffen filters for around $15, are these noticably better than the $10 sunpaks from Best Buy? BB also sells a sony kit for $33 that has a multicoat filter and an ND filter.

June 16th, 2006, 03:06 PM	#4
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I seriously doubt that that inexpensive a filter will deliver a good performance in an environment that will do its best to cause ghost reflections and generally disclose optical inadequacies in your gear. That said, a $10 filter will probably protect the front lens element. But if you are going to the trouble and expense to use the beach as a locatation, why not use an adequate filter? A good Hoya, a B+W or something you know will work this time and all the time. I've only lost one B+W filter when a bit of gravel was kicked up by a flash-bang grenade while I was covering SWAT training. Given the years of good performance by the filter before that happened, I had no hesitation in ordering another one from B&H the next day. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

June 15th, 2006, 11:56 PM	#2
Richard Zlamany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamden CT Posts: 470	I was burned bad by an inexpensive filter on a pd170. The focus looked soft most of the time. I don't know if it was me, the filter, or a combination of both, but I never had this problem before or after I took the filter off. For now I use no filter and I just shot a wedding on a beach. It looked great. For the most part I won't use filters anymore for weddings. I'm just careful with the camera, especially when shooting the limo arrival and departure near the roadside. Personally, I'm willing to take the chance with lens damage. Some shooters have other approaches. My advice is buy an expensive filter or use none at all.

June 16th, 2006, 01:37 AM	#3
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	I shoot weddings with a .7x WA adapter in place most of the time so a filter is not needed. I would use a multi-coated UV filter if I felt the need. I think Hoya makes affordable multi-coated glass filters. Take a look at B&H.

June 23rd, 2006, 02:14 PM	#5
David McKnight Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas City, TX Posts: 39	Good advice! Thanks.