Which filter for 17-55mm IS USM and Sigma 10-20mm?

lauy · 27 Jan 2010

Hey

I'm not too clued up about which filters to use on which lenses.........I've just purchased the above two and have ordered a Hoya 77mm Cirulcar Polariser Filter.......standard version as the other ones were a lot more.

Questions........

is this one CPL filter enough for both lenses, so switching between the 2? Shall I only put it on when under certain situations like landscape shots?

Can I leave the CPL on the 17-55mm all the time as this will be my main walkabout lens, or shall I get some other filter to be on all the time and only use the CPL occasionally?

Also, is it a bad idea to stack a CPL on top of a UV filter?

Thanks in advance

Allen

dbr1066 · 27 Jan 2010

Good questions, Allen. Basically, the first thing I do when I buy a new lens is to put a CPL on it! But that's just me; I take landscapes primarily, and without a polariser I just can't get that same rich colour and control over contrast.

BUT, you certainly don't need to get separate polarisers like I do, that's overkill for normal, er, sane people. No matter what, you do need a protective filter on every lens, though, if for no other reason than the obvious - if it gets scratched its generally a lot cheaper to replace a filter than a lens.

Also, is it a bad idea to stack a CPL on top of a UV filter?

Gee, I hope not, because I do it all the time

If I were you [which, of course, I'm not, and you may have different priorities] I'd put the CPL on your 17-55mm, if that will be your normal lens, and get a UV or Haze filter for your Sigma. Then, when you want to take a wide angle landscape shot just swap the CPL onto the Sigma. The only trouble with that scenario is, of course, that your 17-55mm is then 'unprotected', even if its only in your camera bag! An unprotected lens makes me very nervous

which leads me to my other, slightly more expensive suggestion:

You could also opt for extra insurance and put a UV/Haze filter on both lenses and swap the CPL between them as and when its called for. A bit more expensive, but a lot more peace of mind!

David

HoppyUK · 28 Jan 2010

lauy said:
Hey

I'm not too clued up about which filters to use on which lenses.........I've just purchased the above two and have ordered a Hoya 77mm Cirulcar Polariser Filter.......standard version as the other ones were a lot more.

Questions........

is this one CPL filter enough for both lenses, so switching between the 2? Shall I only put it on when under certain situations like landscape shots?

Can I leave the CPL on the 17-55mm all the time as this will be my main walkabout lens, or shall I get some other filter to be on all the time and only use the CPL occasionally?

Also, is it a bad idea to stack a CPL on top of a UV filter?

Thanks in advance

Allen

You buy an £800 lens and put a cheap filter on it! :thinking:

Sharpness is not usually a problem with filters, but flare is. Use a multi-coated filter to reduce it to a minimum.

You don't want a polariser on all the time. Sometimes you won't want the effect, and often you don't want to lose the two stops of light that they absorb.

Stacking filters is not a good idea. You double the changes of image degradation, plus you will almost certainly get some vignetting with super-wide lenses.

If you take a little care, there should be no need for any kind of protection filter. Use a lens hood, which can only improve image quality, sometimes quite a lot by preventing flare. The only time I use a protection filter is when there is literally stuff flying around, like sea spray. I have not managed to physically damage a lens in 40 years!

HoppyUK · 28 Jan 2010

dbr1066 said:
Good questions, Allen. Basically, the first thing I do when I buy a new lens is to put a CPL on it! But that's just me; I take landscapes primarily, and without a polariser I just can't get that same rich colour and control over contrast.

BUT, you certainly don't need to get separate polarisers like I do, that's overkill for normal, er, sane people. No matter what, you do need a protective filter on every lens, though, if for no other reason than the obvious - if it gets scratched its generally a lot cheaper to replace a filter than a lens.

Gee, I hope not, because I do it all the time

If I were you [which, of course, I'm not, and you may have different priorities] I'd put the CPL on your 17-55mm, if that will be your normal lens, and get a UV or Haze filter for your Sigma. Then, when you want to take a wide angle landscape shot just swap the CPL onto the Sigma. The only trouble with that scenario is, of course, that your 17-55mm is then 'unprotected', even if its only in your camera bag! An unprotected lens makes me very nervous which leads me to my other, slightly more expensive suggestion:

You could also opt for extra insurance and put a UV/Haze filter on both lenses and swap the CPL between them as and when its called for. A bit more expensive, but a lot more peace of mind!

David

Lens cap?

lauy · 28 Jan 2010

Okay, thanks for the input. I didn't intend to buy a "cheap" filter for my expensive lens..........but I read online that a standard CPL was good enough, and was not really necessary to get a multi coated one.

So what would be your best recommendation for using on my 17-55mm most of the time? A Multi-Coated UV filter?

Orville · 28 Jan 2010

I use a Hoya Pro1 Digial UV filter on my 17-55mm. They are relatively cheap and work fine for everyday use.

HoppyUK · 28 Jan 2010

lauy said:
Okay, thanks for the input. I didn't intend to buy a "cheap" filter for my expensive lens..........but I read online that a standard CPL was good enough, and was not really necessary to get a multi coated one.

So what would be your best recommendation for using on my 17-55mm most of the time? A Multi-Coated UV filter?

My best recommendation would be don't use any filter at all, unless you actually need it, either for a pictorial effect, or because there is a danger of imminent damage.

I use a lens hood when shooting and walking around, and a lens cap when it's in the bag. Never had any problem with that.

If you are the anxious type, then fine, fit a filter for protection. A lot of people do, and equally, a lot of people don't. But be aware that even the very best will, in some circumstances, degrade the image. And a UV filter can never improve it.

lauy · 29 Jan 2010

Thanks for reply. I think I will take your advice and not use any filter on my lens, and only use the CPL when I take landscapes. I have lens hood for all my lenses and I try to be as careful as possible so I don't think I need one just for protection, and would rather not have one if it will degrade IQ.