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UV Filter recommendations?

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mBall
Posts: 1690 - Karma: 2,827
So I am looking to get a uv filter for protection on my Tamron 17-50 that I use with my glidecam. I've been looking around and there seems to be a large variety of them that range from 10-150 dollars. I've also heard that they can make your image softer.

Does anyone have recommendations on one or any insight?

Thanks guys,

Matt
Apr 3 2012 11:58PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
tiffen is pretty cheap but pretty decent, b&w is awesome if you want to spend a little more. personally for a uv i'd just go with tiffen
Apr 4 2012 12:13AM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,478
Do you use an ND filter at all?
Apr 4 2012 12:22AM
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mBall
Posts: 1690 - Karma: 2,827
No, I've considered using one. But I feel like I would want a fader, and they seem to be pretty pricey. Is this correct?
Apr 4 2012 12:36AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
Tiffen ftw. They're cheap but they get the job done and I personally have no complaints as a ski-edit-maker.


You should really look into picking up a polarizer and ND filter(s) though if you want pretty skies on your footage. Polarizers are awesome and I consider them a necessity.
Apr 4 2012 12:49AM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
i just picked up a tiffen kit with a uv, nd, and polarizer filters. awesome cheap investment. nd filter is such a help for almost anything outside
Apr 4 2012 1:27AM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,478
Its nice, you dont really have to worry about UVs when you have NDs. A nice set of NDs (.3, .6, .9, 1.2) is spendy but you can also get a fader ND for similar prices too. I have the Light Craft Workshop FaderND Mark 2. It goes from 2 stop to 8 stops of light, or ND .6 to like ND 3. I never use it past like 4 stops of light (1.2ND) but i have used it around 6ish. Ive thought about maybe getting rid of my fader and just buying like a 1.2 or a .9 since id use that 80% of the time, but then i think back and realize that it would suck that other 20% of the time. The single NDs definitely effect your image less than fader NDs, but i barely notice mine and i'd highly recommend the LCW faderND mk2, dont cheap out on a fader.
Apr 4 2012 1:36AM
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Gnarwall
Posts: 1180 - Karma: 50
B&W's are great. Expensive, but crystal clear.
Apr 4 2012 2:05AM
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MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
I've searchbarred on google and everywhere and read articles but i still just am struggling with the concept of what ND's do? can you explain Evan?
Apr 4 2012 8:11AM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
you clearly have not search bar'd or googled it if you still cant find out what they do. But anyway, a neutral density filter basically will make your image darker. For instance, if your shooting on a ski hill, a beach, or any other bright setting, then you will want a ND so you dont have to set your shutter speed and aperture so high to allow for the exposure. You get different stops in these filters for your needs. I use .6 only. Never really needed anything more or less. There is a more technical definition of ND's, but thats pretty much why i use them.
Apr 4 2012 9:58AM
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MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
thanks for the awesome response man. thast all i needed, but I had searchbarred and googled but it was in very technical terms and I didnt understand it all. I mean sometimes it's ok to believe people and not doubt what they say but whatever
Apr 4 2012 10:31AM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,478
yeah man its just like putting sunglasses in your camera. most prosumer and higher video cameras come with nd filters in the camera, but dslrs dont.
Apr 4 2012 10:59AM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,329
nor does the fs100. but that 700.... ;)
Apr 4 2012 11:08AM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,478
yeah, mad jelly of the nds on the 700 but it doesnt give me enough motivation to sell my camera and spend another $4k haha
Apr 4 2012 11:09AM
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MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
wow that makes it super easy to understand. Thanks!
Apr 4 2012 11:18AM
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mBall
Posts: 1690 - Karma: 2,827
Does anyone have any knowledge of the specific kinds of UV filters? I would love to get some NDs, but for now I'm just looking for something for protection. For instance, B+W has different grades (10 vs 420) and Nano vs Multi Resistant Coating?
Apr 5 2012 12:05AM
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squibble
Posts: 4569 - Karma: 104
i know for dslrs and photo there is a difference in iq with uv filters, the more expensive ones are better but the differences are so slight if you are just shooting video then get a cheap one and if you're taking stills take it off
Apr 5 2012 2:52AM
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Gnarwall
Posts: 1180 - Karma: 50
Get the B&W with the MRC. Anything less would be like wrapping a ballon around your junk and telling yourself it was a condom.
Apr 5 2012 3:48AM
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Eggbert
Posts: 329 - Karma: 46
that is the best explanation i have ever seen..... ever
Apr 5 2012 12:53PM
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