6.10.2011

I have recently bought my first APS-C DSLR (a Pentax K-X), and I soon realized that I needed a specific protection filter for its lens, especially since I intended to use the camera for some ultra-close up shots, which can be really dangerous for any lens (since you can literally bump into your subject or its surroundings, while looking for the perfect framing, with the actual danger of cracking the precious front surface of the lens...).I already had some old and cheap UV-filters for my 35-mm film camera already, but they were un-coated and totally useless, since digital camera sensors are already protected against UV rays, so these old filters just gave a purple/darker tint to the images shot with the new camera,introducing ugly flares and reflections on every shot including a front-facing direct light source.So, initially I tried to find the cheapest _coated_ protection filter I could find, but soon I realized that most of the cheapest one were either un-coated, or their coating was negligible, according to the opinions of other Amazon buyers. So, in the end I decided to buy this one, even if it costed slightly more than most other ones, due to the good reputation of this brand, and to its specific and peculiar characteristics.1) It is a _german-made_ "digital" filter, designed specifically for digital cameras, so no unwanted and useless "anti-UV" color casts or darker images;2) It includes a _real_ anti-reflective coating, a feature I could verify as soon as I opened its package, by simply looking at the very dim, dark green reflections coming from its front surface (to explain what I mean, try to compare the mirror-like reflections produced by a cheaply-coated or uncoated piece of glass/filter and the dim green or blue reflections produced by good, coated prescription glasses, or simply those produced by any good coated camera lens front glass...)3) It offers what the manufacturer calls XSPD mount, i.e. a _very_ thin mount that only leaves a minimal space between the back surface of the filter and the front surface of the lens, which is very important to avoid catching more reflected light rays between the two of them, and also reduces the total length/weight of the lens, especially if you are going to add more accessories/filters/converters/etc. in front of it;4) It is clearly manufactured in a professional way: it is very sturdy, even if very thin, and the glass does not wobble/rotate at all inside the frame, something that often happens with cheaper filters;5) It is packed in a nice and sturdy case including thick protective padding;6) The threading is incredibly precise, and - even on such a thin ring - it allows to mount more filters/accessories/etc. on the front of the filter. Moreover, there is enough space on the front to allow easily the insertion of a lens cap with springed "hooks" inside the filter;Considering that the price I paid for this filter, when I ordered it, was not excessively higher than the price of many sub-standard, no-quality, uncoated or falsely coated filter available, I consider it a real bargain, even if it just protects the lens and does not improve the image quality in any way: in my opinion, it is definitely preferable to invest a little more in an important accessory like this, rather than sparing a few pounds by choosing cheap ones, and risking to compromise the quality of ALL your shots with horrible reflections, think about it...After all, optics is one of those fields in which cheaper is _never_ better, believe me!

26.9.2012

In an effort to help those trying to decide whether these filters are really worth the money, the following is a list of my own impressions and conclusions:PROS+ Employs Schott glass (made by Schneider Krauznach), which is manufactured to a very high optical standard+ Wide and shallow bezel - ideal with some wide-angle lenses, where vignetting could pose a problem+ The filter benefits from an effective seven-layer MRC (Multi-Resistant Coating), with an additionally hardened eighth (Nano) outer layer: it's hydrophobic, doesn't smear when cleaned, and is reputed to be as hard as the glass it adheres to+ Does nothing but protect the lens without impairing overall image quality (modern digital

30.9.2012

For years I have always used "top of the range Hoya" but on upgrading my back-up camera to the Fuji X100 I discovered that I needed a clear glass protection filter and because I had paid so much for the x100 I thought that I would spend a bit extra on a filter. Wow what a difference,once on its almost invisible when looking at the from element of your lens and the brass fittings just move like silk. The one downside of using this type of filter is that unlike the Hoya's you can't really use a plastic lens cap with them for fear of marking the filter. Now I made a soft bag type cover for the x100 (best every ready case ever) to get around this problem and also because I hate conventional every ready cases (because they are never read)

27.2.2013

In an effort to help those trying to decide whether these filters are really worth the money, the following is a list of my own impressions and conclusions:PROS+ Employs Schott glass (made by Schneider Krauznach), which is manufactured to a very high optical standard+ Wide and shallow bezel - ideal with some wide-angle lenses, where vignetting could pose a problem+ The filter benefits from an effective seven-layer MRC (Multi-Resistant Coating), with an additionally hardened eighth (Nano) outer layer: it's hydrophobic, doesn't smear when cleaned, and is reputed to be as hard as the glass it adheres to+ Does nothing but protect the lens without impairing overall image quality (modern digital

21.8.2011

I never really use filters to protect my lenses. I'm a professional photographer - and I don't really go out in extreme conditions, so have never worried. I worry more about putting a cheap bit of glass in front of a very expensive lens and reducing its potential. However, I just bought a Canon 70-200mm f2.8 and the front glass on it is huge - and extremely close to the front rim. At £1800, I was just too scared to damage it or simply end up with my finger smearing it. So I looked at filters. B+W have always been top of their game. Their parent company Schneider Kreuznach have made some of the world's best lenses since I can remember. Used to always swear by their enlarger lenses.

20.2.2018

B+W make Great Filters, but a word of warning: if you propose using the filter on, for example, a Carl Zeiss OTUS 85mm f1.4 use the F-PRO mount instead.I know the mount thickness should be kept to a minimum in order to prevent vignetting, but I would much prefer a small amount of vignetting than a jammed filter, especially when used with an expensive lens.B+W use Brass to reduce the chances of jamming.Recently, I have found to my cost, there is a risk of jamming with the XS-PRO mounts above 86mm, especially if used with a none brass counterpart, in my case an aluminium screw-in lens hood. The aluminium is prone to “swarf pickup”.I think the problem arises from the fact that Brass and Aluminium

10.11.2012

Over the last few months I have changed all my lens protection filters for B&W Nano Coated Clear Glass Protection filters and where possible the XSPD type as the quality of the glass is just outstanding and so they cost a bit more but perfection is what we are all looking for with our images so why worry about the higher cost when you will probably use these filters for years to come.Ok so I can't use the plastic lens caps which came with my lens on my lenses anymore with the filter fitted. I bought padded Micro-Fibre lens pouches to keep the lenses in anyway which keeps the protection filter and my lenses relatively cleaner and dust free anyway.You have spent a lot of money on your lens so why compromise with cheaper alternatives,

7.6.2014

I am of the school that prefers to use a filter to protect my lens. I am not so keen on lens hoods (if flare is a problem I change position or use a screen ie my hand!). However I find the B+W (MRC Nano) and Hoya HD to be very similiar in terms of optical quality, compare either of them to a cheaper filter and you can easily see the optical benefits of a good Hoya / B+W filter. I usually buy the Hoya HD for cheaper lenses, the one downside to a premium B+W is the price. Yes, it's made of brass and the MRC nano coatings are so easy to keep clean, but they are expensive! So I only have them on my "best" lenses, especially the Canon L lenses that require a front filter for weather-sealing.

9.6.2014

There is very little on the market that can meet the quality of the B+W MRC Nano range of filters. But it does come at a higer cost compared to other brands. For many lenses the cost of a B+W is simply not worth it though. So I find myself buying the Hoya Pro-1 or HD range for lenses of lesser value or lower optically quality. This is where B+W lose one star in my opinion (look at 82mm filter prices.....). I do prefer the B+W filters though, but like many premium products sometimes it is hard to justify the cost. Dont get me wrong that Hoya is not of good quality, they have different attributes and an attribute in their favour is cost, A premium Hoya filter (HD range) is still a very good investment,

10.1.2014

This filter, as you might expect from B+W, is built to a very high standard. The mount is made of brass and the MRC coating on the glass really helps reducing reflections and I did not notice any decrease in image quality. The mount of the filter is very slim so it should not cause vignetting on wide angle lenses. The coating is also supposed to repel dirt and water, though I've yet to see that. All in all, you really get what you pay for and in my opinion, this filter is absolutely worth the price.It's also worth noting that it arrived in a ridiculously big box (25-30 cm cube shaped box!) which is an absolute waste of material since the manufacturer packaging is only about 7x7x1 cm!

30.10.2011

If you have an expensive lens, especially a 70-200 f/2.8 - this is the filter you need on the front. The nano coating is currently the best anti-reflection multi-coating out there... I previously had an uncoated Tiffen filter on my Canon 70-200L and the difference is striking - vastly reduced flare and increased contrast when shooting into the light with the B+W. (No anti-Tiffen feelings - just don't buy uncoated or single coated filters!)...The B+W MRC filters are the next step down from the 'nano' and are also very good (and just a little less expensive)B+W filters are beautifully made, with brass and fine quality glass - expensive, but absolutely worth it.

1.11.2016

Just purchased the 43 mm version of this filter. Expensive? That depends on how you value your lenses. By comparison it is cheaper to replace the filter than it is to replace a lens. However, in today's polluted world who knows what acids are lurking in the atmosphere, especially from motorcar fumes and grit, grease, and many other contaminants in the atmosphere likely to get on the lens in a days shooting. Also being tussled and pushed around in a street photography situation can easily harm the front element of a lens. I have used B+W before and love the quality.

5.11.2011

I have 2 Hoya UV pro1 filters, one bought from Jessops, the other from Surrey photography but they cannot compare with this piece of glass. I am not a professional but the difference for me is significant. Hoya pro1 degrades my pictures quality quite a bit. Even my nikon D90 finds it harder to focus when Hoya filter is attached. Plus, Hoya seems to have blue cast effect that keeps turning violet color into blue(ish).Thus, I would suggest that you should not buy uv filter. And if you have pro-grade lens, the top class filter is definitely worth it.Cheers

30.5.2012

Having tried many protective filters over the years, I've finally settled on the B+W 007 as the filter of choice for my professional grade Nikon lenses, my X100 and my Canon XA10 camcorder.Minimises any ghosting, loss of contrast and internal reflection with an excellent multi-coated glass element, and being precision machined from brass (rather than cheaper, lighter aluminium), it's less likely to end up locked into the threads of your camera lens than other filters.Highly recommended.

11.2.2012

Well made and packaged item. Comes with its own plastic case with cushioned lining. The ring is very slim, as slim as you could hope for given that you need to retain a few front threads for a lens cap. There are less threads for the lens caps than a deeper filter, but if you chose this model it must be because you're trying to avoid vignetting.I've fitted a genuine Nikon lens cap onto this filter and found the level of grip to be excellent despite the reduced thread depth.

B+W MRC XS-Pro Digital (007) 58 - Reviews

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