I'm looking into buying a uv/skylight lens protector filter and also a circular polariser filter for my Nikon 28-105 lens. I've narrowed the field down to these two brands and perhaps the hoya too. Any suggestions? Thanks.

-- gil (g_il@yahoo.com), April 03, 1999

Answers

Gil

I use B+W and I can assure you that it is of top quality of brass construction. The multi-coated ones that I bought has such fine multi-coating that it is almost invisible. I have compared them to Nikon's own and I can also vouch that Nikon's are just as good. Of course, some have compared filters and said that there is nary a difference among brands. However, owning the B+W maes me feel warm all over :)

Rene

P.S. Get the Multi-coated UV ones. The Skylight KR1.5 filters I got noticeably imparted a slight amber cast to the whites in my subject. May not be desirable for some situations.

-- rene (renequan@bigfoot.com), April 03, 1999.

Thanks Rene for your response. I was leaning towards the b+w anyways...just needed some reassurance that it's worth the few extra $$. :)

-- gil (g_il@yahoo.com), April 05, 1999.

One key advantage to the Nikon filters is that they are considerably thinner than standard B+W filters. This makes a difference with a wide zoom like the 24-120 or (I imagine) the 28-105. If you get the B+W filters, get the thin ones.

-- John Kuraoka (kuraoka@home.com), April 05, 1999.

Perhaps, not so. I use the Hoya HMC Cir Pol with my Canon 28-135 IS USM and there is no vignetting on the wide end - and I like to be able to attach a lens cap. I also use the B+W multicoated cir pol with the Canon 17-35/2.8 L. Again, no vignetting, even at 17mm. Both of these filters are the normal width that allow the attachment of a lenscap via the threading.

-- Paul Runnoe (prunnoe@aros.net), May 02, 1999.

I have found the color temperature chart that is at the Schneideroptics.com/filters/chart.html very helpful, the effects of a filter on film types is known,figure your light temp and adjust.

-- Michael B Gardiner (mbgardin@gte.net), May 24, 2001.

I have Nikon circular pol and B+W kasemann circular pol, too. I think the B+W is better. B+W also has wide angle circular pol filter, but not for the kasemann one. I asked to B+W dealer about the vignettimng problem with their standard filter ring, they said it it would be okay for 35mm lens. I have no tried to use smaller lens than 35 mm with my B+W.I have no any Hoya filter, but I read that most professinal does not use the Hoya. Singh-Ray has a very good circular polarizer filter, too. Please have a look at www.singh-ray.com

-- Andy Thamrin (sydney@indosat.net.id), July 08, 2002.