Help Me Decide - UV Filter Or Not? - FujiX-Forum

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You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Help me decide - UV filter or not?

• Thread starter hunz
• Start date May 30, 2011

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hunz

Member

Trying to decide which filter to get. Do UV filters help or hinder the X100's filtration? I have narrowed the choices down to the B+W XS-Pro - as its the slimmest with still a thread on the front so I can screw on the 3rd party hood. 1. B+W 49mm XS-Pro Ultraviolet (UV) MRC Nano #010M Filter or 2. B+W 49mm XS-Pro Digital NANO Multi-Coated (MRC) Clear #007 Filter Seems the only difference between the two is that 1. above blocks UV/haze and 2. doesn't? The main reasons are to protect the lens from sand, sea water and the elements. Your opinions/advice which is best for the X100?

cpharris

New Member

I went for the 007M clear filter as it transmits more of the light spectrum than the UV filter, and the camera already has a UV filter over the sensor. But I think there's little difference. The main thing is to use a quality filter, as they will always degrade quality to some extent. B+W are some of the best, so you're good there H

hunz

Member

Thread starter ok thanks. where did you buy yours? warehouseexpress are sold out and back-ordered :-(

cpharris

New Member

I got mine (B+W 49mm XS-Pro MRC Clear 007M) from Clifton Cameras, but it was a special order as they normally stock the UV filters only. It came in fairly quickly though. H

hunz

Member

Thread starter Excellent, thanks!

Rooster

Well-Known Member

'Nother 007 here! Bought with x100 at Photohaus Preim in Aachen, Germany last week. Excellent shop. Ask for Miriam Ax. J

jdnphotography

New Member

Just wanted to ensure that one of the below filters will fit on the factory lens of the x100. Is there any focusing issues? Thanks! 1. B+W 49mm XS-Pro Ultraviolet (UV) MRC Nano #010M Filter or 2. B+W 49mm XS-Pro Digital NANO Multi-Coated (MRC) Clear #007 Filter R

RichardvanYperen

New Member

Another vote for the clear filter, I use it for protection and don't use a hood. Don't forget the adapter ring, I got a clean one (no bayonet) on EBay J

jdnphotography

New Member

so of the these filters must be used with an adaptor ring??? Anyone have a link for an adaptor ring? 1. B+W 49mm XS-Pro Ultraviolet (UV) MRC Nano #010M Filter or 2. B+W 49mm XS-Pro Digital NANO Multi-Coated (MRC) Clear #007 Filter J

jdnphotography

New Member

So to put on a filter on the factory lens i need the adapter - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/760882-REG/Fujifilm_16144559_AR_X100_Adapter_Ring_for.html and 49MM filter? C

carioca

Guest

I have made some tests with the following filters: -B+W 007 -B+W UV Haze -B+W UV/IR CUT I could not see any difference at all. I use the B+W UV Haze, the cheapest, and instead of worrying about the right choice, I take that time making photographs.

Riz_X100

Member

I bought the MRC B+W Clear Filter too....... protects from getting dust inside the unit. Riz J

jdnphotography

New Member

do i need an adapter for the filter? P

picgear

New Member

jdnphotography said: do i need an adapter for the filter? Click to expand...

Yes you do. P

picgear

New Member

I have the Hoya UVC which is a pretty decent filter, cheaper than B+W UV, but I don't notice any difference in quality.

PaulVigo

Active Member

The kenko zéta uv L41 (w) 49mm is extremely high quality. It is identical to high end Hoya filters that cost twice as much. I have been told it is made in the same factory. The iq seems identical to using the camera without, which is more than I can say for a cheaper kenko filter I have used. If you want to use a uv filter you may as well go for the highest quality you can get to avoid IQ issues. Haze reduction is a bonus but doesn't come into play much. Protection is the real benefit. You will need an adapter ring. Search this forum for cheap adapter ring and you will find many alternatives. Personally I have the fuji adapter ring and hood, though identical knockoffs of this are available at less than half the price. If you are wearing the camera out, the hood offers great protection from knocks and contact. it is also worth picking up a cheap center locking squeeze lens cap. If you use the fuji leather case, be aware that it won't fit perfectly well with a uv filter and adapter ring attached. You can squeeze it in but there will be a gap around the leather near the lens. This suits me fine, as my camera wears the adapter and uv filter when out and abou to shoott. I take them off for a more compact pocketable package when it is tagging along in my pocket on the off chance there will be something to shoot. Using the camera with a filter (and particularly with the hood) is very useful for street and candid shots. You can safely leave the lens cap off and the camera exposed without worrying about knocks or smears on the lens. I leave mine on a strap hanging inside my jacket, which wouldn't work without extra protection. P

polymathic

Member

Somehow, I missed the clear version, and got the UV one. I think I would have gotten the clear had I know. But the UV does warm things up a bit in that haze/water/ocean environment, which I like.

dmweisman

Well-Known Member

I went with a clear Marumi filter from www.2filter.com. Read what they have to say on their web site about using only a high quality clear glass filter on digital cameras. No reason to spend the extra money on UV. The filter was branded "Sunpack", made by Marumi for about $7 and the 49mm spacer was $6. (basically a filter ring without the filter.) Be aware that you need a spacer between the lens and the filter to allow for the lens to move all the way out in macro mode. B

BKKKevin

Member

Are any of these filters silver and thin enough so one can still use the original lens cap?

BasharAr

Well-Known Member

I got the B+W slim filter, its there slimmest filter, comes with its own tiny plastic cap, because there is no thread on the outside, its nice, light and small, but I decided to leave both caps at home and enjoy the camera, one less thing to worry about. Y

yonghui

New Member

jdnphotography said: Just wanted to ensure that one of the below filters will fit on the factory lens of the x100. Is there any focusing issues? Thanks! 1. B+W 49mm XS-Pro Ultraviolet (UV) MRC Nano #010M Filter or 2. B+W 49mm XS-Pro Digital NANO Multi-Coated (MRC) Clear #007 Filter Click to expand...

anyone can answer this question?? i am thinking to buy B+W 49mm XS-Pro too, but i still wonder whether x100 close up/ macro focus will knock on the filter....anyone can help me pls....

brett maxwell

Active Member

beastcuitTin said: anyone can answer this question?? i am thinking to buy B+W 49mm XS-Pro too, but i still wonder whether x100 close up/ macro focus will knock on the filter....anyone can help me pls.... Click to expand...

It just depends what spacer/adapter you use before attaching the filter. If you use the official Fuji one or one of the exact knock-offs, you'll be fine.

Frankie

Well-Known Member

beastcuitTin said: ......but i still wonder whether x100 close up/ macro focus will knock on the filter....anyone can help me pls.... Click to expand...

I don't use filters, but this is a universal answer to all such and related questions: The X-100 moving lens unit is 45mm in OD. The maximum movement in macro-mode is ~4.5mm+ measured from the top of the threaded collar, [or 7.5mm+ measured from the back flange where the cover ring back meets the lens]. In other words, a 45 dia. x 4.5mm space is needed. The Fuji and most 3rd party adapter rings has a total depth of 9.2mm...more than good enough. In order to determine whether any filter will work, visually compare the total filter thread depth [~2.5mm...3 threads x 0.75mm] to the filter glass back surface to rim depth. If shorter by 1mm, then the filter will provide barely enough room. Most filter wall thickness is <1.5mm, that subtract from a 49mm size will leave you 46mm ID...more than enough room. Y

yonghui

New Member

Frankie said: I don't use filters, but this is a universal answer to all such and related questions: The X-100 moving lens unit is 45mm in OD. The maximum movement in macro-mode is ~4.5mm+ measured from the top of the threaded collar, [or 7.5mm+ measured from the back flange where the cover ring back meets the lens]. In other words, a 45 dia. x 4.5mm space is needed. The Fuji and most 3rd party adapter rings has a total depth of 9.2mm...more than good enough. In order to determine whether any filter will work, visually compare the total filter thread depth [~2.5mm...3 threads x 0.75mm] to the filter glass back surface to rim depth. If shorter by 1mm, then the filter will provide barely enough room. Most filter wall thickness is <1.5mm, that subtract from a 49mm size will leave you 46mm ID...more than enough room. Click to expand...

wow...thanks for the detail reply... good research you have there, quite impressive ^^ Y

yonghui

New Member

brett maxwell said: It just depends what spacer/adapter you use before attaching the filter. If you use the official Fuji one or one of the exact knock-offs, you'll be fine. Click to expand...

thanks for reply ya.... im using JJC adapter ring, i think is exactly same as the official fuji one....thanks again for helping me make the decision ^^ P

perlovsky

New Member

FWIW, I never use macro, use AF-S, and have a 49mm B+W UV filter on backwards, never have a problem unless I get too close, which I don't......

PhoTom

Well-Known Member

Not sure if there is another thread for this but I am currently using the Hoya HMC UV© filter made in the Philippines with the Fuji adapter on an X100. It wasn't until I took some shots at night that I noticed what seems like green reflection ghosts. This has happened with pics of the moon or with outside artificial lighting also at night. I'm guessing the reflections are green because of the multicoating of the filter. I know one solution is to take the filter off at night, but does anyone know of a filter (B+W or otherwise) that does not suffer from this problem? The Hoya filter is supposed to be highly rated and I was somewhat disappointed when I discovered the green reflections.

PaulVigo

Active Member

PhoTom said: Not sure if there is another thread for this but I am currently using the Hoya HMC UV© filter made in the Philippines with the Fuji adapter on an X100. It wasn't until I took some shots at night that I noticed what seems like green reflection ghosts. Click to expand...

Hoya manufactures the "Super HMC" series, which includes a better multi coat and back coating to avoid reflections from the lens. Check this thread - http://www.fujix-forum.com/index.php?/topic/4651-best-protective-filter-for-fujifilm-xf-35mm-53mm-f14-lens/ for more suggestions. Note though that night shots into bright light are an extreme shooting condition. Even with the best filters you may run into slight reflection problems. In such conditions, your best bet is to shoot without a filter, and using a hood. A

Amitmay

Member

The other possibility is if you got a fake/counterfeit filter. I have read that there are fakes on eBay, which sucks cause I just ordered one too! It's the HMC UV(C) one, which costs $17 at adorama. I got it for $11 from a USA based eBay seller. Makes sense it would be real- a few bucks less than adorama is reasonable. It's not as it's an $80 filter selling for $11! Maybe others can speak more about the fake filter phenomena.

streetphotographix

Well-Known Member

I'm going to get a bit controversial here Fuji produce excellent lenses that are already fully coated to block haze, UV, IR and everything else. The lenses are fully optimised to produce as close to perfection as the manufacturer can achieve. So why do we believe the marketing claims of third party filter manufacturers who say their filters will improve the image by blocking UV, IR or haze? Putting another layer of glass over an excellent lens in order to "improve" the image (filtering IR, UV or haze) is like taking a paintbrush to the Mona Lisa in order to improve it. Any extra layer of glass DOES degrade the image quality. It's an extra layer of glass to cause refraction, reflection and flare, no matter how good the filter manufacturer claims it to be. The only reason I can see to use a filter is to protect the lens in extremely hostile environments. If the filter is only for protection, then using a lens hood will give that protection, with the added advantage that it really does help reduce flare and ghosting. I have been taking photos now for over 40 years, using Linhof, Hasselblad, Bronica, Canon, Nikon, Leica and Fuji, and various other names, in various parts of the world, and in some pretty bad conditions, and I have always chosen not to use a protective filter. I did try a few, but I could see the difference in some shots between the photos taken with the filter and those taken without it, and that convinced me not to use one. I'll make you all cry now.... If I get a dirty lens when shooting I wipe it with my shirt, paper tissue or anything else I have to hand that will do the job. It works, and really, those lenses are made to be fairly tough and to survive in the field, and the occasional gentle wipe with the clean part of a shirt, and even breathing on it first to produce some vapour to help remove marks made by greasy skin, has never done any harm to any of my lenses I accept others will have different views on this, but think about it..... if Fuji, or Hasselblad, or Canon, or Nikon really believed their lenses could be "improved" by adding another filter then they would have incorporated such filters in the factory production many decades ago. To quote the well-known song by Baz Luhrmann: [font="Verdana][size="2"]Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99 [/size][/font][font="Verdana][size="2"]If I could offer you only one tip for the future, LENSHOOD would be [/size][/font][font="Verdana][size="2"]it. The long term benefits of LENSHOODS have been proved by [/size][/font][font="Verdana][size="2"]scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable [/size][/font][font="Verdana][size="2"]than my own meandering [/size][/font][font="Verdana][size="2"]experience…[/size][/font] [font="Verdana] [/font] [font="Verdana][size="2"][/size][/font]

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