B+W filters: worth paying so much?

[sykestang]

Tamron made some of the best third party Nikon lenses in the 80s and 90s. Yes, they are either on-par or better than Nikon's own lenses.

Tamron had made many lenses...

For some who might not have known, Tamron actually produces quite a no. of lenses for Minolta and marketted under Minolta Brand.

Also when they took over Bronica MF camera, they actually produce the 2 famous Bronica lens, the 45mm-90mm and 100mm-220mm zoom lens.

 

[Spectrum]

Tamron had made many lenses...

For some who might not have known, Tamron actually produces quite a no. of lenses for Minolta and marketted under Minolta Brand.

Also when they took over Bronica MF camera, they actually produce the 2 famous Bronica lens, the 45mm-90mm and 100mm-220mm zoom lens.

That's cool.... ;p

 

[2.8photography]

Tamron made some of the best third party Nikon lenses in the 80s and 90s. Yes, they are either on-par or better than Nikon's own lenses.

its not just tamron - tokina and sigma make some great lenses too. ive tried the sigma 70-200 and even the fairly affordable tokina 12-24 performs well

though i dun like the fact that a lot of tamron/tokina/sigma (no hsm) lenses have very 'gritty' and noisy af

 

[ianpaice]

My Hoya filter had it coating AUTOMATICALLY peeled out though it was in the dry box all the time.

Hoya are for ppl who has time and dun mind cleaning.

B + W are for ppl who prefer shooting and less cleaning.

Hoya do not suit ppl like me who shoot outdoor even in very light drizzle.

Hoya maybe suitable for those very careful in their handling and dun shoot in the outdoor under harsher conditions.

B + W has very good resale value. You could sell it at a minimal loss later on.

Hoya may be tougher to sell. With all that smudges and scratches, you could hardly sell it at a high price.

Mine is a different story. In fact, mine was the opposite of what most people had encountered here. I started out using B+W MC filters 15 years ago (they were not as expensive then compared to now, BUT, their prices were still very high for the average photographer). Anyway in less than 2 years after my purchase, the coating on two of my polarizing filters were beginning to flake badly. It started out as tiny crack lines and eventually the coating came off. That was one hell of a bad experience I had from such item, supposingly to be high-end.

After much hesitation, I changed all my filters to Hoya. Mind you, they don't have the Pro 1D or Super HMC series back then. It was just plain HMC. And boy, my Hoya polarizing filters lasted me 6 years before I finally got sick of cleaning the filters and decided to replace them with new ones. Yes, I must agree that Hoya filters are harder to clean compared to B+W. But if you don't mind changing new filters every two years, I don't see any reason why you should settle on something that cost 3 to 4 times the price BUT it does not give 3 to 4 times improvement.

 

[2.8photography]

My Hoya filter had it coating AUTOMATICALLY peeled out though it was in the dry box all the time.

Hoya are for ppl who has time and dun mind cleaning.

B + W are for ppl who prefer shooting and less cleaning.

Hoya do not suit ppl like me who shoot outdoor even in very light drizzle.

Hoya maybe suitable for those very careful in their handling and dun shoot in the outdoor under harsher conditions.

B + W has very good resale value. You could sell it at a minimal loss later on.

Hoya may be tougher to sell. With all that smudges and scratches, you could hardly sell it at a high price.

well id prob have to sell one of my (cheaper) lenses to get enough $$ to buy a decent set of B+W filters though

was looking to place an order for cokin filters too:dunno:

 

[ExplorerZ]

abit OT here, for those interested can try out Marumi DHG, they can be gotten from eBay...
optically i would rate them
Hoya HMC > Marumi DHG > B+W MRC

Cleaning wise
Hoya HMC > Marumi DHG - B+W MRC (not sure how well it fare against B+W cos i nv compare before, but its much easier to clean than HMC)

price wise the DHG sit somewhere around 40%(applies to larger sizes like 67-77mm, i got my 77mm at about 45-50SGD from eBay) the price of a B+W MRC bought locally, which is just a tiny bit more than HMC.
for CPL, the equiv B+W cost almost 200+% the price of a Marumi DHG (slim profile with coating and front thread at less than S$100 including shipping)

as far as i know, they do have a upgrading version of the DHG, only problem is can't be easily found even in eBay. How long it last i dono, as i only upgrade about 1/2 year back, but one of them have been practically splashed completely by seawater...

 

[wf7850]

Passed by a camera shop this afternoon at Holland, popped in to check out their price on B+W MRC CPL, they dont carry but instead highly recommend me to get the Tokina CPL, at a fraction of B+W. :bigeyes:

I asked how different in terms of quality between the Tokina and B+W, they say no difference at all, almost all their customers who buy thousand dollars lens also buy these Tokina filters, no need to waste xtra $$ for B+W. :nono:

so guys, are comments on the salesperson from this quite reputable shop?

 

[Denosha]

Aiyah, no use debating this issue further, if you think it's worth it, it's worth it. If you don't you don't. If you haven't even tried B+W filters before don't be so fast to pass judgement. Once you've used B+W alongside other brand filters then you will understand.

 

[zoossh]

Passed by a camera shop this afternoon at Holland, popped in to check out their price on B+W MRC CPL, they dont carry but instead highly recommend me to get the Tokina CPL, at a fraction of B+W. :bigeyes:

I asked how different in terms of quality between the Tokina and B+W, they say no difference at all, almost all their customers who buy thousand dollars lens also buy these Tokina filters, no need to waste xtra $$ for B+W. :nono:

so guys, are comments on the salesperson from this quite reputable shop?

dunno what shop you are talking abt, but first of all they are salesman, secondly they are mostly not photographers, thirdly they are probably not avid photographers.

 

[Snoweagle]

To summarise everything, only B+W surpasses all other filters.

 

[chanjyj]

To summarise everything, only B+W surpasses all other filters.

There is still Nikon filters.

 

[Snoweagle]

There is still Nikon filters.

Tried before, not up to par.

 

[photobum]

I know there are many internationally-renown photographers that uses Hoya filter. My former employer, who is one of the top commercial photographer in the United States, uses Calumet filters (which are OEM by Hoya). He doesn't own a single B+W filter simply because he doesn't believe in buying expensive filters.

Buying filters is similar to buying undergarment. You don't need to wear a Calvin Klein to be comfortable. Even Crocodile or Hush Puppies can feel comfortable. How many of you wear Calvin Kleins? Personally, I don't. Undergarments are something that I buy-wear-throw on a regular basis. Same goes for all my filters.

 

[Snoweagle]

I know there are many internationally-renown photographers that uses Hoya filter. My former employer, who is one of the top commercial photographer in the United States, uses Calumet filters (which are OEM by Hoya). He doesn't own a single B+W filter simply because he doesn't believe in buying expensive filters.

Buying filters is similar to buying undergarment. You don't need to wear a Calvin Klein to be comfortable. Even Crocodile or Hush Puppies can feel comfortable. How many of you wear Calvin Kleins? Personally, I don't. Undergarments are something that I buy-wear-throw on a regular basis. Same goes for all my filters.

That's becos they do heavy photoshop to make it look nicer so it's a matter of personal prefs. For a person like me who never photoshops cos i always like my pics fresh from the cam, a B+W is the best bang.

But then if i can still find Leica filters, then i'll make a transition from B+W.

 

[photobum]

That's becos they do heavy photoshop to make it look nicer so it's a matter of personal prefs. For a person like me who never photoshops cos i always like my pics fresh from the cam, a B+W is the best bang.

But then if i can still find Leica filters, then i'll make a transition from B+W.

What does Photoshop got to do with the brand of filters someone uses? Please enlighten me. Now, before you answer my question, keep in mind that I am a Photoshop instructor and a commercial photographer for more than 15 years.

The late Ansel Adams shot with film. Many of his filters are Tiffens (which are OEM by Hoya). One of Ansel's student, John Sexton shoots with film - he uses Hoya filter. Bruce Davidson is a film shooter, he uses Hoya filters also. Michael Yamashita was a National Geographic photographer, and currently a photo instructor. He uses either Nikon or Hoya filters when he shoots film. Another NG photographer, the late Galen Rowell uses an array of Singh-Ray, Nikon and Hoya filters. He is a film shooter. Do they tweak their images in Photoshop, I doubt so. Not Ansel Adam at least. He died even before Photoshop was invented. Galen Rowell was never an advocate of image manipulation.

As for myself, I shoot with both film and digital. I did not find using either Hoya or B+W filters contributes to any advantages or disadvantages in my image making process. I can't even tell which of my slides are made with which brand of filter.

 

[photobum]

To summarise everything, only B+W surpasses all other filters.

How would you feel if I say my Nikon ED lenses surpass your Canon L lenses? Eventually you will become defensive, and in no time, we will start blasting each other with unpleasant words. NO, I don't intend to start a war here and I have no reason to do it.

My point is, everybody has got their preferences and budget constrains. There is no point starting a debate of B+W vs. all other filter brands. I love my Hoya filters, and I totally understand the fact that not many people here will agree with me. So why try to brainwash others to believe in your 'religion'? Unless, of course, you earn commission for endorsing B+W filters. :dunno:

Photography is, after all, a very personal hobby and a career for me. The fact that I prefer Hoya filters doesn't mean that you will have to spill my can of beans.

FYI, I use Canon system at work and Nikon system for my own work. I find both system equally good in their own ways.

 

[2.8photography]

abit OT here, for those interested can try out Marumi DHG, they can be gotten from eBay...
optically i would rate them
Hoya HMC > Marumi DHG > B+W MRC

Cleaning wise
Hoya HMC > Marumi DHG - B+W MRC (not sure how well it fare against B+W cos i nv compare before, but its much easier to clean than HMC)

price wise the DHG sit somewhere around 40%(applies to larger sizes like 67-77mm, i got my 77mm at about 45-50SGD from eBay) the price of a B+W MRC bought locally, which is just a tiny bit more than HMC.
for CPL, the equiv B+W cost almost 200+% the price of a Marumi DHG (slim profile with coating and front thread at less than S$100 including shipping)

as far as i know, they do have a upgrading version of the DHG, only problem is can't be easily found even in eBay. How long it last i dono, as i only upgrade about 1/2 year back, but one of them have been practically splashed completely by seawater...

these marumi filters sound pretty decent. do they have other filters like IR, (grad)ND etc. cos i wouldnt mind trying some of these filters. any idea if they can be bought locally?

 

[wrx_sti_22b]

I use this filter : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200145414935 slim & cheap ...

 

[ExplorerZ]

these marumi filters sound pretty decent. do they have other filters like IR, (grad)ND etc. cos i wouldnt mind trying some of these filters. any idea if they can be bought locally?

not sure, even if they have, its extremely hard to find... :sweat:

 

[Snoweagle]

What does Photoshop got to do with the brand of filters someone uses? Please enlighten me. Now, before you answer my question, keep in mind that I am a Photoshop instructor and a commercial photographer for more than 15 years.

The late Ansel Adams shot with film. Many of his filters are Tiffens (which are OEM by Hoya). One of Ansel's student, John Sexton shoots with film - he uses Hoya filter. Bruce Davidson is a film shooter, he uses Hoya filters also. Michael Yamashita was a National Geographic photographer, and currently a photo instructor. He uses either Nikon or Hoya filters when he shoots film. Another NG photographer, the late Galen Rowell uses an array of Singh-Ray, Nikon and Hoya filters. He is a film shooter. Do they tweak their images in Photoshop, I doubt so. Not Ansel Adam at least. He died even before Photoshop was invented. Galen Rowell was never an advocate of image manipulation.

As for myself, I shoot with both film and digital. I did not find using either Hoya or B+W filters contributes to any advantages or disadvantages in my image making process. I can't even tell which of my slides are made with which brand of filter.

As i've said earlier on it's a matter of prefs. So what if u're a PS instructor and a commercial photographer for 15 years? That doesn't justify that there's a fixed rule to your findings. Though i'm not a commercial photographer but i've been shooting since early 90s from film before making a transition to digital abt a few years ago.

I've also been using numerous lenses and filters before i can safely say that i like B+W the most as it gives the best quality fresh from the cam as i do not do any PS at all. If u say any brand of filter will do, then might as well everyone buy the cheapest of filters and why splurge on B+Ws, Nikon and Hoya Pro 1 digital or SHMCs.

It's the quality that counts, not the quantity.