Any difference between the High End Filters?


Ricardo Ong

New Member
Jan 31, 2011
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Hi,

I am considering several "high end UV filters" for my lens (Sigma 30mm F1.4), primarily the Hoya HMC UV, Hoya Pro 1 Digital MC UV, B+W UV Haze MRC and Kenko Zeta UV L41. 2.

Just wondering what is the key difference between them and if you own any of these filter /others, would greatly apprecaite if you could also share what is your feedback / experience with them.

Cheers!
 

Hi,

I am considering several "high end UV filters" for my lens (Sigma 30mm F1.4), primarily the Hoya HMC UV, Hoya Pro 1 Digital MC UV, B+W UV Haze MRC and Kenko Zeta UV L41. 2.

Just wondering what is the key difference between them and if you own any of these filter /others, would greatly apprecaite if you could also share what is your feedback / experience with them.

Cheers!

Can see that you own quite a few lens. All without filter ?

My suggestion B+W.

One of the TS tried to print his finger print on the filter but failed.


http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/thre...CBL-Lens-lt-lt-Weekly-Promotions-gt-gt/page26

Easy maintenance. Will not create micro spots on it when time goes by.
 

Try rodenstock. Digital pro and hr digital. Cheaper than hoya pro1 and b+w filters.
FYI, rodenstock provide the filter glass to b+w, just that b+w has a better publicity.
 

Try rodenstock. Digital pro and hr digital. Cheaper than hoya pro1 and b+w filters.
FYI, rodenstock provide the filter glass to b+w, just that b+w has a better publicity.

Hmmm... interesting claim. You have sources to back it up?

I know Heliopan and Rodenstock are practically the same, just rebranded.

Schneider Optics (who owns B+W) gets their glass from Schott. Not Rodenstock. Schott is one of the largest supplier of optical glass in Germany. They supply Schneider (B+W), Carl Zeiss and Rodenstock among many other companies... The glass is not supplied by Rodenstock.

So while the glass comes from the same source, it doesn't mean the filters will be same quality. Because work needs to be done on glass to make it a filter. For example, just because Toyota and Lexus gets their steel from the same mill doesn't mean their cars will be the same.

That said, Rodenstock and Heliopan are fine filters as well. Not saying that they are bad. But they are not identical to B+W. But Rodenstock and Heliopan are almost identical, just rebranded, much like Hoya and Kenko.
 

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And TS,

So far, I feel that one of the best filters on the market now are Hoya HD and Kenko Zeta (they are very very similar). They are not cheap, but Kenko is slightly cheaper. You may ask why I picked these two. Apart from good transmission and multicoating... I have yet to see any other filter brand producing a filter that can do this:

[vid]cT6wBQR7iqE[/vid]
 

Oh. Seems like I got the wrong infor. Apparently after much comparison with pro1 digital and hr digital rodenstock, the latter fares better in terms of light absorption. Not to deny b+w is good, but unless the lens are so expensive and u are taking exotic shots, there is no need to buy too high end filters. That's solely what I feel thou. No hard feelings yeah :)
 

Oh. Seems like I got the wrong infor. Apparently after much comparison with pro1 digital and hr digital rodenstock, the latter fares better in terms of light absorption. Not to deny b+w is good, but unless the lens are so expensive and u are taking exotic shots, there is no need to buy too high end filters. That's solely what I feel thou. No hard feelings yeah :)

I personally find B+W, heliopan and even rodenstock overpriced for my lenses. I usually use Hoya pro 1 D. Unless the lens is very very expensive (to me), then maybe I will go for Kenko Zeta. Some lenses I go bare.

Thing is, for me, it does not make sense to spend too much if your lenses are not that expensive anyway. Why put a B+W mrc or rodenstock on a kit lens? So have to gauge.
 

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Daredevil, I went to slr in funan ytd and chk that rodenstock digital pro cost alittle cheaper than Hoya pro 1D.
Wanna ask if they are abt the same? :)
I am still new for filters too. Hope that u can teach me more. :)
 

Sorry to hijack TS thread, since we are at the topic of filters any recommendations on Hoya filters? My lenses are Nikon 35mm 1.8 & 18-105mm? Should I just get the HMC or spend abit more on the Pro 1HD? Thanks
 

Daredevil, I went to slr in funan ytd and chk that rodenstock digital pro cost alittle cheaper than Hoya pro 1D.
Wanna ask if they are abt the same? :)
I am still new for filters too. Hope that u can teach me more. :)

Every brand has different product lines. Not all Hoyas are good. Not all B+Ws are good, Not all Rodenstocks are good.

You might want to read this for starters...
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/803029-Newbie-Guide-to-Filters
 

Thanks daredevil. Helps great.
 

Daredevil, I went to slr in funan ytd and chk that rodenstock digital pro cost alittle cheaper than Hoya pro 1D.
Wanna ask if they are abt the same? :)
I am still new for filters too. Hope that u can teach me more. :)

Just read Rodenstock product brochure... http://www.rodenstock-photo.com/mediabase/original/Filter_brochure_HR_Pro_2010_CD_Engl_9927.pdf

Rodenstock Digital Pro is actually their low end model. The high end model is called Rodenstock HR Digital Pro.

My guess is Rodenstock Digital pro should compared to Hoya HMC line of filters and B+W F-pro line. The HR digital pro should be compared to B+W MRC, Hoya/Kenko pro1D, Hoya HD and Kenko Zeta.

Hope this helps
 

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A suggestion for your 18-105 and 35, just get a b+w 77mm and get step up adapters.

My smaller threaded lenses like the 50, 35, 105 afd shares a single 77mm b+w. But ofcourse my twinity lenses have their own.
 

Hi,

I am considering several "high end UV filters" for my lens (Sigma 30mm F1.4), primarily the Hoya HMC UV, Hoya Pro 1 Digital MC UV, B+W UV Haze MRC and Kenko Zeta UV L41. 2.

Just wondering what is the key difference between them and if you own any of these filter /others, would greatly apprecaite if you could also share what is your feedback / experience with them.

Cheers!

you can refer to the sticky at this link.. when i was newbie and looking for articles regarding filters this sticky helped me...http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/803029-Newbie-Guide-to-Filters
 

the lenstip review posted on the sticky thread is very useful.
take a look at that and decide for yourself

Personally i'm fine with Hoya UV(0) for HMC and above, B+W MRC and above
But still prefer not to use
 

hi guys,

thanks for all your comments, and do keep them coming in ...

daredevil123 i really enjoyed the youtube video - if that is for real, i am really very impressed!

hi NikF601, i have filters, from Keno Pro1 Digital (multicoated), to be honest, i am not impressed with it ... very hard to clean, even after using proper cleaning equipment, there is still a layer of solution...
i have seen my friends B+W filters - i cant remember which model exactly but i guess should be the "high end" ones as those guys are the old birds of photography, using the same cleaning equipment from me, no problem, 1 time wipe - "HOE SAY" liao :)

so mainly what i wanted to find out from you guys are the feedback from Hoya n Kenko - which u guys did - thanks again!
 

I use B+W and Hoya. But I prefer B+W. Easy to clean with the lens pen. There again, I don't care either. I clean with my T-shirt. I just did it again when coming out from an air-con room when I Just finish covering an event few hours ago. :bsmilie:
 

I don't put on any filter previously on this sigma 30 f1.4 at all. Just put on the free hood will do.
 

Why can't canon produce "L" filter ?
 

hi guys,

thanks for all your comments, and do keep them coming in ...

daredevil123 i really enjoyed the youtube video - if that is for real, i am really very impressed!

hi NikF601, i have filters, from Keno Pro1 Digital (multicoated), to be honest, i am not impressed with it ... very hard to clean, even after using proper cleaning equipment, there is still a layer of solution...
i have seen my friends B+W filters - i cant remember which model exactly but i guess should be the "high end" ones as those guys are the old birds of photography, using the same cleaning equipment from me, no problem, 1 time wipe - "HOE SAY" liao :)

so mainly what i wanted to find out from you guys are the feedback from Hoya n Kenko - which u guys did - thanks again!

The video is real. It was PMA 2009.

I find pro1D ok to clean. All I had to do is to use a lenspen. B+W MRC is definitely easier to clean, but the easiest is still Hoya HD and Kenko Zeta.