I've been looking for a pair of good 58mm UV filters to keep on two new Canon EF lenses. Canon, of course, would rather that I used their own product, but I've also heard many good remarks about Hoya and Tiffen multi-coated UV filters. Can anyone tell me anything about how the Canon UV stacks up against B+W, Hoya HMC, etc.?

Thanks,

R.D. Hight Not part of a cosmic energy field per se.

-- R.D. Hight (lithium099@hotmail.com), March 02, 2002

Answers

B+W or Hoya would be considered better than the Canon by most, but you are picking at grains of sand with that. I just buy B+W and never worry about the quality of glass, as I know that I and more gear-nurotics think they are more than fine.

-- Chris Gillis (chris@photogenica.net), March 02, 2002.

While canon filters are indeed well made, the truth is that as long as you stay with a brand name multicoated filter like hoya, tiften or b&w,you will not see any difference in your photos.

-- joe cap (joemocap@yahoo.com), March 02, 2002.

All the Canon UV filters I have seen are made by Tiffen (even comes in the Tiffen box). They appeared to be the Tiffen's cheapest model.

I prefer the Hoya HMC Super Multi-Coated or B & W multi-coated. The Hoya filters are extra thin and, thus, won't vignette on most wide angle lenses. B & W charges extra for thin filters.

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), March 03, 2002.

I use UV filters on all lenses for protection (I have a long history of dropping and otherwise banging up lenses). The filter is, therefore, little more than a clear lens cap. I'll take it off if flare is possibility but, otherwise, I leave it on all the time. Since I'm using it to protect the front lens element, I expect it to get dirty, scratched or even broken. I use good quality UV filters by Tiffen (mostly), Hoya and Canon. As long as they are of good optical quality, they serve the purpose. I don't spend extra for multi-coating or for expensive UV filters.

-- Lee (Leemarthakiri@sport.rr.com), March 03, 2002.

lee is right. as long as the optics of the filter (UV or skylight) is good enough, you don't have to worry about anything else. the main idea of such filters is to protect the lens which can be served by any good quality filters.

-- sajeev (chack74@yahoo.co.in), March 03, 2002.

Thanks for the good answers! I was sure I was going to have to choose between 1) leaving my poor front elements naked, 2) using a cheap skylight which probably degrades images, or 3) getting taken on some kind of overpriced unit that probably doesn't even make a difference. Shouldn't be to hard to find the middle ground now. Thanks again.

-- R.D. Hight (lithium099@hotmail.com), March 03, 2002.