So I finally pulled the trigger on a couple Sigma Art primes—the 35mm and the 85mm f1.4—and man these things are heavy but the glass is so pretty I'm honestly terrified of scratching it. Im usually a no filter guy because I hate flares but I have a trip to the Oregon coast coming up in two weeks and the salt spray and sand there is just brutal on gear so I need some solid UV filters just for peace of mind.
Ive narrowed it down to a few options but I'm torn between:
I'm trying to stay under $90 per filter if possible because I already spent a fortune on the glass lol. My main worry is ghosting or losing that crazy Sigma sharpness especially when shooting wide open at 1.4. Is the B+W really worth the extra cash over the Hoya or is it all just marketing at this point? I need to get these ordered by Friday so they arrive before my flight... what would you go with for these specific lenses?
Nice pickup on those Art primes. I've used both extensively over the years and yeah, the 85mm is basically a boulder but the bokeh is unbeatable. Since you're headed to the Oregon coast, you definitely want something with a top-tier oleophobic coating. Salt spray is a total nightmare to wipe off if the coating isnt slick. In my experience, the Hoya HD3 is the sleeper pick for your specific needs.
@Reply #1 - good point! Salt air is basically sandpaper for your coatings if you arent careful. Unfortunately I had some real issues with that B+W T-PRO line on my last outing and was kinda let down. I really expected better performance for that premium price tag. I have tested a few of these on my own Art primes and found some disappointing trade-offs:
Saw your post earlier and wanted to ask a quick thing before you commit. Those Art primes have huge front elements, especially that 85mm. Are you planning to stack these filters with anything else like a polarizer, or just keeping the UV on full-time for the trip? Also, is your main goal actual impact protection from drops or just a sacrificial layer against the salt spray?