Anyone have any suggestions on filters? Glass or Plastic - coated or ?

[Immad2]

Hoya - Tiffen? which seem to be the best? It is all so confusing and there are so many different angles.

[ET Awful]

1. You're going to get as many different answers as there are different

filters :).

Personally, I use the multi-coated Hoya filters most often because they are excellent quality and can be found for extremely reasonable prices.

I always use glass filters, always multi-coated.

The "best" are probably B+W, but they are very expensive.

Basically, plastic is too easily damaged and only low end filters use it, so is out of the question in my opinion.

Uncoated glass filters, while better than plastic, suffer from reflections, refractions, and other visual abnormalities.

Single costed filters resolve most of these issues and will serve well in most circumstances.

Multi-coated filters don't cost THAT much more than single-coated, and in my opinion are the best option due to suffering less from image degrading problems like reflections.

Then you get into an area where you have diminishing returns on your investment, such as super-multi-coated filters, etc.

I use the multi-coated Hoya filters with the exception of one super-multi coated Hoya that I got a very good price on (my 77mm UV which only cost me $25).

[Immad2]

2. Thanks for the information. It's always nice to get information from

someone who has experience with the particulars. Thanks much.

[lakemonster11]

3. I have a B+W polarizing filter that I bought

used from a local camera shop.

It was cheaper than even the lowest-end new polarizing filter they carried in the store, and it didn't have any scratches or damage. I've been very happy with it.

[Immad2]

6. Thanks for the info, every bit of experience helps.n/t

[ConsAreLiars]

4. B+W and Nikon and Singh-Ray are all top-rated.

Multi-coated, is best, but brand name gives you some assurance that the "MC" label is more than a marketing gimmick. If your camera has interchangeable lenses, get filters that fits the largest lens you expect to own, and use step-up rings to adapt your smaller lenses to that size (and lens caps that fit that larger size also, so you don't need to keep removing the step-up adapters.)

[okasha]

5. Hoyas are high-quality but not terribly high-priced.

Are you going to use them for color or black and white, or both?

[Immad2]

8. Mostly color - but sometimes black and white says it better.

[Immad2]

7. Thanks, and "get filters that fits the largest lens you expect to own"

is an excellent idea.Thanks again.

[ET Awful]

9. That's a great idea, UNLESS you like to use hoods on your lenses

in which case it becomes more of a pain in the ass than it's worth :).