Price of Filter.... does it matter?


Status
Not open for further replies.

tunge

Senior Member
Mar 15, 2009
502
0
16
43
Hi, just got a prosumer camera the Canon SX10 IS n still learning the ropes.

been checking out filters and found some really cheap CPL filters (brandless) for around SGD10.... do you think they are thrusworthy? good for beginner like me?
 

in general, hoya filters should be quite ok, and they are not that expensive

i am not sure about unbranded, but i suppose with cheaper material, that is way too cheap, they will be very vulnerable to ghosting and degradation of image quality might be worse than usual

are you able to try and shoot with the filters to test before buying? frankly speaking, everyone has different levels of acceptance; if it works well enough for you, and you are happy with the price...

WHY NOT? :)
 

$10 for a CPL?

i tink u better spend more to get hoya/kenko.

spend once, rather than twice.
 

Hi, just got a prosumer camera the Canon SX10 IS n still learning the ropes.

been checking out filters and found some really cheap CPL filters (brandless) for around SGD10.... do you think they are thrusworthy? good for beginner like me?

If you don't mind colour casts, or mebbe non-linear polarising... up to you. :)
 

yeah... think the general consensus is to avoid.... really too cheap...

but as a really noob, am tempted to start w the cheap stuff, anyways my camera no DSLR, lens just normal.... hmmm.. i'll think about it first. anyways still waiting for my Lensmate filter adaptor to come in b4 i can get the filters...

anyways am i right to say that a economical and reliable filter would be from HOYA?

Hoya basic UV filter $10-15?
Hoya entry level CPL $30?
 

Last edited:
regardless of what brand, there are bound to be cheap or expensive models. even Hoya has higher end and more ex filters. for a 52mm thread cpl filter, any decent model regardless of brand should cost at least $40. get a hoya uv filter around $10+. that should protect you lens and produce decent image quality.
 

Its best to get a reasonably good piece of filter. Just imagine using a lower grade filter on a good lens and imagine what will the end result be? :)
 

in general, hoya filters should be quite ok, and they are not that expensive

i am not sure about unbranded, but i suppose with cheaper material, that is way too cheap, they will be very vulnerable to ghosting and degradation of image quality might be worse than usual

are you able to try and shoot with the filters to test before buying? frankly speaking, everyone has different levels of acceptance; if it works well enough for you, and you are happy with the price...

WHY NOT? :)



buying off the ebay, so no way to try, but the seller has 100% feedback....

will update u guys when i do make a decision...
 

but as a really noob, am tempted to start w the cheap stuff, anyways my camera no DSLR, lens just normal.... hmmm.. i'll think about it first. anyways still waiting for my Lensmate filter adaptor to come in b4 i can get the filters...

Even simple cameras can produce stunning pictures if a) the person behind the lens knows how to use the cam and b) if the light is not disturbed by cheap glass. If you buy quality filters now you can still use them later on DSLR. If you need UV as protector get one per lens, for CPL get the biggest size (e.g. 77mm) and use stepping rings. 10$ for Hoya is suspiciously cheap, imho. Get quality equipment, you'll regret using el cheapo stuffs once you notice images being degraded. Hoya is decent, but get the right versions. You can check the Price list for Filters as reference. Prices are quite stable.
 

What you may need, but may not be absolutely critical, are the UV and CPL. I have a DSLR but I hardly use these. It really depends on how willing you are to spend on these...
 

The more expensive filters use glass instead of plastic, use multicoating instead of uncoated, use brass rim instead of alloy, use more precision machine for the thread, and hence they are more expensive. A cheap filter may also do the same job but at a poorer quality and wear out faster in the long run.
 

If you can, buy it and where opportunity comes buy a hoya and compare. Experience is what you are paying (if not to expensive) and long lasting. Like I could not figure out how a lousy UV filter can cause ghosting until I see one and now I know how to look for signs.
 

hi tunge

if u are very concerned about price, maybe a hoya is a feasible choice.

eg, u pay $30 for a hoya instead of the nameless $10, and u decided u dun need it anymore, i believe u can easily recover $20 if u sell it in the BnS.

u lose $10. tats the price of the nameless u started in the 1st place.
 

hi tunge

if u are very concerned about price, maybe a hoya is a feasible choice.

eg, u pay $30 for a hoya instead of the nameless $10, and u decided u dun need it anymore, i believe u can easily recover $20 if u sell it in the BnS.

u lose $10. tats the price of the nameless u started in the 1st place.

that's a good point... well i think i'll most likely get a reputable low end CPL filter like Hoya... after all the filter adaptor already cost me over $30 bucks :p but end of day my still just prosumer no need to get the really ex ones.
 

i just order , just to try, once i got it then i take a few pic, and buy more filter
 

Good stuff doesn't come cheap, unless they are imitation, which then disqualifies them...
 

Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.