Hoya 77mm Pro1 Digital Protector Filter

Bought an Ultra Wide Angle Lens a week ago (Nikon 10-24mm, review will follow). Salesman in Jacobs tried to sell me a 77mm filter to protect it, but as I'd bought a different size Pro 1 filter for a different lens through CameraKing via Amazon I roughly knew the prices involved. The salesman seemed most upset and had a right lip on when I refused his 25% discount for this filter. They were charging 3X the Amazon price!Although I was always going to buy a filter as a protector I wanted to try the lens out first. Never having had an Ultra Wide I soon realised that using it properly was going to get me extremely close to objects to get some good effects, so close in fact that there was a damned good chance of accidently hitting the lens on something hard and nasty. Hence a purchase a day later of this filter.It arrived promptly, well packaged, and importantly cheap as chips. (third the price of jacobs)On attaching it to my lens I had a few minutes of concern re vignetting. Reviews of the similar UV filter had mentioned the low profile was suitable for Ultra Wides and Hoya says 'Helps to avoid'. Note 'helps' doesn't 'promise' to totally avoid vignetting. I wandered around zooming between 24mm down to 10mm and I swear at 10mm I could just about see some extremely slight vignetting in the corners. Was I imagining it though? The more I played around, the less convinced I was, and on taking numerous test shots there doesn't appear to be any vignetting at the 10mm end.I have to say though these tests are very unscientific and I just havent had the time to advise you 100% on this. More testing and an update will follow.Other reviewers have used these filters on a Canon lens at 10mm without any concern.This review is on first impressions over three days now and I have to say it's a quality filter and if it lives up to be like my others I'll be happy.Just thought I'd point out the Ultra Wide concerns which may assist you hence the 4/5 at this stageI will follow this review up in a couple of weeks.

The debate rages among camera anoraks whether you should use a protective filter or not. Those insisting it is a "must have" go on about it being cheaper to replace a broken filter than a lens. Those against say that any additional glass in front of the lens will degrade the image....and what's wrong with using the lens cap for protection anyway.There are however, two things that most enthusiasts agree on: 1) if you must use a filter get the best you can afford, to keep image degradation as negligible as possible, and 2) filters generally retail at huge mark-up prices so that camera stores can make some money in a cut-throat market.I decided to buy this filter because I hate playing around with a lens cap every time I want to take a shot. When using a filter I can permanently dispense with the cap and have the camera ready straight from the bag. It's also easier to keep the filter clean than the lens.However, the main reason I bought THIS filter is because it's a top quality, Made in Japan, Hoya. What's more it's at a very reasonable price....compared to those impoverished High Street sellers.I didn't rate the item 5 Stars, because I think "I love it" is pushing it a bit. However, I'm happy to say I don't think I could do any better, with my budget anyway.

This is a good quality filter, at a very reasonable price.Having spent a lot of money on a new lens/camera, the first thing you really want to do is to get a protector filter. It's true that there is a debate by enthusiasts as to putting a comparatively cheap piece of glass in front of an expensive lens. That's why you go for the best you can afford.To me, there seemed little reason going for something more expensive than this. It's a case of diminishing returns. My old Nikon 50mm lens was quite recessed, and didn't require much protection, but having bought the Nikon 35mm f1.8, the glass is quite close to the front. Perfect for knocks, scratches and finger prints!I tried taking some sample pictures with and without the filter, and to be honest, even at pixel level I was struggling to find any difference. The colour rendition was identical, and I didn't notice any flare or C.A.This is quite a slim filter, so didn't show any vignetting. Obviously if you add more filters on top of this, you'll get to the point where you do though! If you're going to be using a polarizing filter all day, take this off and leave that on.Similarly, if you're worried about the quality for those 'special' pictures, take it off for the duration. A protector is more for those 'quickly get the camera out of the bag' or 'strolling around' shots anyhow. You wouldn't use it in a studio!The glass is clear and doesn't rattle in the metal frame. Threads are smooth and the whole thing is quite light.Hoya have a good reputation, and for good reason.

I have tried the cheap alternatives to protect my lenses and found them to be poor, costing me sharpness and ruining a good few shots before I pinned the problem down to my lens protector. Having "had a word with myself" over penny pinching I ordered this filter. When I opened the box I honestly thought that there was no glass at all in the frame and I had been had. I had to touch it to make sure that the glass was there. I am amazed at how clear it is. The filter has to be held up to the light and viewed at a sharp angle to get any reflection at all. I immediatly tested it on my Canon 24-105L lens and am very impressed. So much so I have ordered another for my wide angle zoom. As someone who has bought cheap and had to buy twice I cannot stress more to any photographer who is humming and harring about which filter to get that they should NEVER buy cheap UV filters. The IQ difference may not be immediatly obvious but when you are pushing your camera to get maximum sharpness they will let you down turning a great shot in to a big dissapointment.Do not hesitate to buy this, when you've spent a small fortune on a lens why ruin your shots by saving a few quid on the UV filter or risk damaging your front element for the sake of £22.