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Hi,

After much deliberating I have finally bought the 70-200 f2.8 IS USM and awaiting delivery. Now I have been reading threads on filters and have a few questions that I am hoping the wider community can help me out with.

1) My first question is do I need to get a UV filter to attach permanently on to the lens. If so which one should I be looking at. My current lenses have the cheap hoya one.

2) I am also looking at getting the Cokin P filter system so that I can get ND and GND filters and was wondering do I add these infront of the UV filter above or do I need to remove the UV filter when using the Cokin P filter system?

3) Since I am looking to get the Cokin P filter system should I get a Circular polariser as well or will the Cokin system suffice.

Many thanks for your help.

Cheers
Mak

Poon throws in a UV as far as I know. I pretty much never use them, I'd rather blow dust off the lens every few weeks instead. With the 70-200 the hood is deep enough that inquisitive fingers or noses are not really a problem.

I have a Cokin P diffuser 2 that I got with a pile of stuff in one lot on eBay that I could sell you cheaply

I have read that photog usually have a UV filter permanetly attached on the lens and hence my question. I have read on the net examples where a UV filter saved the lens with it was dropped apart from its normal duties for cutting out UV light.

I put a UV 0 filter on it.

In terms of cokin, you can get the cokin system as well as a circular polariser with the cokin system however the cokin CP is a lot more expensive than normal screw on ones.

Mark,

I don't do Canon but these apply to any brand

makario wrote:After much deliberating I have finally bought the 70-200 f2.8 IS USM and awaiting delivery. Now I have been reading threads on filters and have a few questions that I am hoping the wider community can help me out with.

That should be a great lens, certainly have heard lots of good things about it.

1) My first question is do I need to get a UV filter to attach permanently on to the lens. If so which one should I be looking at. My current lenses have the cheap hoya one.

For me, it usually depends where I'm using the gear. If I am in an environment with wind/sand/rain, I will usually have a good quality UV filter on, otherwise I tend to take it off. You just spent $2k on a lens and you will put a cheap filter on it?? At least put a good quality filter on, if you need one.

2) I am also looking at getting the Cokin P filter system so that I can get ND and GND filters and was wondering do I add these infront of the UV filter above or do I need to remove the UV filter when using the Cokin P filter system?

When I use my GND, I will remove any other filter out of the way. You are already adding some extra glass with the GND filter(s) so unless you need the effect of the UV filter, I would recommend to remove it.

3) Since I am looking to get the Cokin P filter system should I get a Circular polariser as well or will the Cokin system suffice.

I use a screw-on CPL. It is a lot quicker to put on and remove then the Cokin P filter system. These days, I get B&W filters. HVStar is a pretty good place with good prices: http://www.hvstar.com

HTH,

André

thanks for the replies guys. I have had a look at the website you recommended Andre and was thinking of getting the kit
1 x B+W 77mm MRC UV 010 Alloy NEW F-PRO Filter
(Front threaded)
+
1 x B+W 77mm Kaesemann MRC SLIM Circular Polarizer Filter
(It doesn't have front thread, but it comes with B+W's Original Push-On Lens Cap)

My question is if I get the slim version will I still be able to use the lens hood. I have never owned a lens hood so please excuse my dumb question.

makario wrote:1) My first question is do I need to get a UV filter to attach permanently on to the lens.

You don't NEED one, but you may like to use one. I don't use "protection filters" on my lenses, but I know a few who do.

Personal choice - there are good, valid reasons for either.

Mark,

good choice on the filters, I have both of those myself.

makario wrote:
My question is if I get the slim version will I still be able to use the lens hood. I have never owned a lens hood so please excuse my dumb question.

Not a problem with the lens hood as long as your lens hood is not the type that screws in on the front thread. Certainly most of my lenses' hoods are NOT the screw in type.

The major reason to get the slim version is that you have a wide angle lens such as a 10-20 or 12-24. The slim version helps in preventing vignetting because it is not as thick. If you are not going to use it on a wide angle lens, save yourself the money and the hassle of the push on lens cap and get the regular version.

cheers,

André
(edit: fix the NOT )

makario wrote:My question is if I get the slim version will I still be able to use the lens hood. I have never owned a lens hood so please excuse my dumb question.

Yeah, the 70-200 lens hoods are all bayonet mounts so they clamp around the outside of the lens, the filters screw into the inside and there's no problem. I use the hood on mine with the 500D close-up lens and that's ~15mm thick. Or with a CPL, the only irritation is having to remove the hood to adjust the angle on the CPL. It's only on really wide lenses that the thin filters give you any benefit.

Moz,

Cutting a slot in the hood to access the CPL could be an option.

Like this...

http://www.nikonlinks.com/articles_lenshood_mod.htm

I used to use UV filters on all my glass purely as a protection mechanism. I never damaged a filter doing this so not long ago I figured I wouldn't damage the front element if I removed the filters. So I've removed the filters and (touch wood) haven't damaged the front element on any glass. The only exception is my macro lens which is inclined to get poked into all sorts of places, so I've left the UV filter on it. Ifigured if I'm going to spend $2K on getting a great lens, why compromise the optics by putting another flat piece of glass on the front? CPLs and NDs are a different issue as you use these to get a specific effect.

Anyway, I've got a pile of UV filters including a B+W 77mm MRC UV 010 F-PRO if anyone's interested. I've got a 77mm Nikon UV as well and 52mm, 62mm and 67mm Hoya UV filters all in as new condition. I haven't bothered to put them up for sale, but if someone wants any just PM me.

Cheers
John

Thanks for the replies.
Cheers
Mak

Only thing to note with the B+W slim filters is that regular lens caps will not work, as there are no threads to lock onto, hence why they supply a plastic push on cap, and these are a pain to use when a hood is attached.