Where can I buy inexpensive UV filters online, and what should I look for?
Asked 10/30/2010
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2 answers
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I use UV filters mainly to protect my lenses and would like to buy a few more online without spending much. Are there reputable places to find inexpensive UV filters, and are there quality differences I should watch out for when buying cheap filters? Also, if I have multiple lenses, is there a cheaper way to share filters between them?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Consider looking at value and not just price. There are substantial differences among UV and haze filters; some of them will significantly degrade your photos under some circumstances and most of them have some measurable effects in any photo.
Useful reviews appear at http://www.kenandchristine.com/gallery/1054387/1 (which is well illustrated--some of those photos are eye-openers--but does not try to be scientific or comprehensive) and www.lenstip.com (the site is currently down so I can't give you the precise link). The latter evaluates the filters with a spectrophotometer to measure (a) how much visible light they allow and (b) how much UV light they block. I recall it also evaluates flare. It found that many (but not all) of the Hoya UV filters are both cheap and excellent. Its top rated filter, out of the two dozen tested, is also the cheapest (one of the Hoyas).
Many of the low-price dealers are now accessible at Amazon.com. Often the shipping is free. I have been able to obtain top-rated filters from Hoya, B&W, and Marumi there.
Originally by user1356. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1356
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—budget online sellers such as 2Filter were recommended for low-priced filters. But don’t judge only by price: UV/haze filters vary a lot in quality, and poor ones can reduce image quality, light transmission, or increase flare. Some inexpensive Hoya UV filters were specifically mentioned as a good value.
If you use multiple lenses, a money-saving option is to buy one filter in the largest thread size you need and use step-up rings on smaller lenses. Step-up rings are cheap and can save a lot versus buying separate filters for every lens.
The main downside is that step-up rings may prevent you from using the lens hood properly. So this approach is most practical if you’re using the filter mainly for occasional front-element protection rather than as a permanent setup.
In short: buy from a low-cost retailer if you like, but prioritize decent optical quality over the absolute cheapest filter, and consider step-up rings to reduce total cost.
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