UV filters

[Mutter22]

OK, I have decided I need a UV filter for protection from my kids' sticky fingers. I have only had my camera since christmas morning and already I've had to clean the lens 3 times. I know I'll still have to clean the UV filter just as often but rather that than the lense and a filter would save them from scratching it too.

I bought a Tiffen UV filter which was really quite cheap I think at £12! It fits on the lens fine but when I put the lens cap on the filter it keeps popping off which is no use whatsoever. Anyway my main question is... can anyone recommend any good makes of filters? Also... do Canon do their own range? I've googled but have found nothing so I'm guessing not.

Thanks in advance

[lerabu]

Hi!

I haven't had that issue with my UV filters. Maybe the make you have has a slightly shorter front part of the threading.

For good UV filters (i.e. that don't alter the image quality) you could try Hoya or B&W. On my 50mm lens I have a MASSA UV filter and I quite like it too

They are a bit expensive (the former two) but when you have good machinery you don't want the filter to spoil the quality

[Mutter22]

I totally agree. I'd rather shell out a little more and get good quality than get a cheap one and have an amazing image spoilt. Thanks for the advice

[ceremus]

Canon does sell their own UV filters and they tend to be inexpensive, but they're also not multicoated so they're more susceptible to flaring issues.

Generally speaking, filters by B&W and Heliopan tend to be top of the line, and they have the price tag to show for it, especially if you're looking at something like a 77mm filter. I have a few B&W filters and I really like the build quality of the brass rings. From what I've seen the Tiffen brand of filters should be good as long as you spend enough money on them, and then there are the cheapie brands and no name brands that will end up degrading your picture quality.

Another thing you might consider is getting a different lens cap rather than a different filter. I think Canon's design of their lens caps is incredibly lousy. When you can't physically remove a lens cap with the hood in place because the release buttons are almost completely obscured, it's time to redesign. I usually just order replacement caps from Bower, they have the center-pinch design that Nikon and several others use, it's a vast improvement.

[karen_s]

I went through this a couple of years ago. I bought a nice nice lens and had a cheapie filter on the end. It was bad and I could tell it was affecting the image in a negative way. So, I looked into purchasing a better one. I landed on a B+W Clear. It was pricey but It's quite nice and unlike the cheapie one, I really see no image degradation. You get what you pay for.