Nov 17 2007

Four (4) 77mm Multicoated UV filters are compared here:
*Hoya Super HMC UV --- 1ST PLACE
*Super Slim Pro HMC UV --- 2ND PLACE
*S&W MC UV --- 3RD PLACE
*Opteka HD MC UV --- 4TH PLACE

About 2.5 years ago I did a UV filter test between the top-rated Hoya Super HMC and an eBay S&W unit. That can be seen here http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/uvtest1 . What I've come to see is that the vast majority of "multicoated UV" filters perform identically under most, normal shooting conditions (i.e., the majority of snap shots and scenes). You just can't tell the difference. But the "real test" comes when there is a strong backlight or flare condition --- this is where the best UV filters separate themselves from the rest, so it is said.

It's well-known that the B+W MC, Heliopan MC, and Hoya Super HMC UV filters are top-grade optically. They (especially the first two) provide tremendous build quality, easy cleaning, protection for your front element, and the highest optical performance that UV filters can provide (i.e., practically 100% light transmission). They also provide multicoating on both sides.

But the question that MANY wonder is this: Can I get similar (or equal) performance using less expensive multicoated brands? Afterall, eBay has a plethora of sellers that offer "multicoated" UV filters at discount prices. Sure their build quality might not be as nice as the B+W (which also clean very easily), but in terms of optics, how do they stack up?

I was able to acquire these FOUR multicoated UV filters for this test. The Hoya Super HMC represents the "one to beat", the "top-dog" and certainly a respected unit. The others are off-brands that offer multicoating at a lower price.

After many frames and many different compositions (forcing flare into the scene), here is what I found: Of course the use of no UV filter is going to be the "standard" here in the sense that you're not adding ANY glass to the front lens element. But I found, time and again, that the Hoya Super HMC lives up to the hype in that I found no meaningful difference between no UV and using the Hoya in these flare-induced shots. A truly fantastic UV filter (at a reasonable price via eBay). It doesn't clean up as easy as the other UV filters, but optically it's a gem. The build is nice but the filter is "heavy" (relatively speaking). Optically though...flawless.

A close SECOND PLACE is the Super Slim Pro. For the money, it's a great deal. I really like it's super slim profile (1mm thick!). It is extremely thin and light (1mm thick and 17 grams). The build is good and the filter cleans up easily (i.e., fairly smooth with a microfiber). Optically it is very close in performance to the Hoya, and in the majority of flare-induced shots, they were very hard to tell apart. Great UV and optically near-flawless.

THIRD PLACE goes to the S&W MC UV. I've used a lot of these filters over the years because I've always liked how they clean up real nice (I'd say they are the smoothest and easiest UV filters to clean I've ever used), they are very inexpensive, and optically they perform very well. Compared to the Hoya and Super Slim, the S&W is only slightly inferior, usually showing one or two additional flare spots that are usually faint in quality. It rates very high on the bang for buck scale.

Coming in FOURTH AND LAST PLACE is the Opteka "High Definition" MC UV filter. I was initially skeptical about its "multicoating" when I first handled it because, under a white light source, it showed no discoloration in the reflection. [Note: Multicoated filters will reflect a different color from the light source. See for example http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/image/44871151/original ] The Hoya reflects a dull, yellowish color cast while the Super Slim reflects a green color and the S&W a very light purple/eggplant color cast. The Opteka is straight white, just like the light source, so I had my skepticism. Under the flare testing, it performed the worst. The build is nice and it does clean up fairly nicely, but optically the Opteka ranks last in this field. Again, under the majority of shooting conditions (and even some kinds of high flare conditions), you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the Opteka and the Hoya. But under strict and controlled flare-induced conditions as here, the other three were quite a bit better.

CONCLUSION: Any of the top three filters in this test I recommend. If money is no issue, by all means get the Hoya. That said, the Super Slim and S&W offer extremely high value and rate closely to the Hoya. I really like the S&W at its price-point and also that it cleans (read: buttery smooth) so nicely. The Super Slim is just that: really slim! For your wide angle and ultra wide angle lenses, the Super Slim is a great choice.