Filter question

[remus_lupin]

Hey y'all, just a quick question (hoping for a quick response, hopefully someone knows) I plan on ordering a circular polarizer soon... (like hopefully tonight before I go to bed)... I have been checking this site forever and they finally got a bunch in stock, but I am just curious as to which one to purchase.. I only use B+W on my lenses so it's not a question of which brand, but which "model"... I am looking between the B+W 67mm Kaesemann MRC Circular Polarizer Filter and the non-MRC version... now normally I would always get the MRC coating, but I already have MRC coated UV's for my lenses, and I would just be putting the polarizer on top, so my question is, should I really spend the additional 60 bucks or whatever and get an MRC coating or will it not benefit at all since there is an MRC coated lens under neath... actually to add to this, is it fine if I use two filters of this type together (I'd imagine so, its just a UV and polarizer)... and I'd be getting the slim version so it doesn't stick out too much...

and here's a pic since it applies haha (took this today actually)

actually, I thought the MRC coating was just to prevent ghosting/flare... but I JUST read that "it is also harder than glass, so that it protects filters from scratches (for instance when cleaning the filters), and it is also water and dirt repellent, thus facilitating filter maintenance."...

sorry for wasting your time. I have decided, MRC it is haha... actually, I wonder if I should bother getting the slim then, the price difference is negligible, what do you all recommend?

[crazzy88ss]

Honestly, looking at your lenses, I think you're wasting your money on such an expensive filter. The only pro level lens you have is the 105 f2.8 VR. I feel like it doesn't matter on the other lenses. The most expensive filter I have is a Hoya? 77mm UV that I have on my 70-200mm f2.8 VR or tokina 12-24mm F4. I can't tell a difference when it's on or off and it was only about $50 total.

[Andre]

You don't need Kaesemann filter unless you really need it. Which means you don't need it.

Always get MRC. You can clean those filters with spit and wipe with your t-shirt, if situation requires, without damaging the filter and its layers.

Slim is only really required if you are for example shooting a 17-35/2.8 @ 17mm @ 2.8 on FX/film and you don't want any extra vignetting over the usual one. Although as far as I know, the non-slim version works just fine in that kind of situation anyway.

UV filters (I bought one, never again) are really just a gimmick on DSLR, because sensors are already made to be less sensitive to UV (may vary per sensor) than for example film. So for 99.9999% of the time people use those purely for protection of the front element, which I find rather silly. So if that is the case then stacking it with a polarizer is even sillier since the pola could protect that precious glass just as well as a UV. Stack filters only if you need to do so. For the money that you could spend on a UV filter, better invest in some basic cleaning equipment; ie blower, good microfiber cloth, cleaning liquid & etc. Front elements of all lenses are already protected against all kind of harsh environmental stuff. Obviously they do break, just like anything else, but they can easily be replaced as well.

[remus_lupin]

@Andre: Thanks a lot for your response, everything you said makes sense, and I do actually use my UV filters as protection (I have actually dropped a lens once and the filter cracked, but the lens was fine)... so from now on I just leave one on all my lenses... but yeah, thanks for the rest of the info!!

@Crazzy: well I mean, all my B+W UV MRC filters actually weren't that expensive, I paid 33.75 (tax and shipping included) for the 67mm size, but yeah in terms of the circular polarizer it IS expensive ($123.50 taxes included - opposed to about $240 when I went in store to a b+w seller, but that seemed over priced anyway) but I will be using it for several lenses... so it's just a one time purchase, and in terms of telling a difference, I will most definitely see a difference when the filter is on opposed to being off (but I don't really with a plain UV, you are right)

[Argote]

Here's a comparison of UV filters that was done recently. Obviously it doesn't have every filter but it's pretty good: http://www.lenstip.com/113.4-article-UV_filters_test_Description_of_the_results_and_summary.html

@Andre: I do believe in putting a UV filter as protection, it prevents scratches on your front element and helps maintain its resale value.

[o0moonman0o]

b+w or heliopan mrc FTW!