I'm going to buy the new Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM. I want to use this lens for both macro and portrait photography. I'm considering buying an UV-filter to protect the lens. Is it necessary to get a slim filter or will the normal (B&W) filter be good enough? Or would you suggest to get another type of filter to use on the lens (for whatever use)?

Thanks

-- David Chiaradia (ered_lithui@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002

Answers

David, FWIW I personally don't use any filters on my lenses. I have the EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM lens and I use the Canon hood. The hood is extremely deep and offers substantial protection. I have never done any image comparisons without the hood, but I have to believe that it makes a substantial difference.

-- Robert DiTommaso (newbabyd@yahoo.com), April 04, 2002.

I use that lens for portraits and have a normal UV B+W filter on it, and everything is fine (I think the ultra slim filters are only necessary for wide-angle lenses).

-- Preston Merchant (merchant@speakeasy.org), April 04, 2002.

David, FWIW I personally don't use UV filters on my lenses, and I am a hood fanatic for all of my lenses EXCEPT the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens.

I had to swallow my pride and install a UV filter because I kept bumping the front element against foilage when shooting close up. The hood was useless because it cut out too much frontal light, and it interfered with flash coverage at the close focus range. A slim filter is not necessary for this lens.

However, I do use the hood when not shooting macro. For portraits, I sometimes use a diffusion filter from the bargain bin at a local photo retailer.

-- Julian Loke (elan7e-owner@yahoogroups.com), April 04, 2002.

b&w filters are great. there's just a small problem with the slim-line mount - you can't use your normal lensecap and the one supplied with the filter falls off real easily. plus they're significantly more expensive. i've already made the mistake of buying a slim-line.

as for not using a filter, sure no problem but if you scratch your lense have fun buying a new one. b&w filters are of such a high quality that you won't have to worry about noticable optical degredation.

carl

-- carl weller (carlweller@yahoo.com), April 05, 2002.