Which lens filters are recommended for Sigma Art series?

Question

I finally bit the bullet and got the Sigma 24-70mm Art lens because I'm heading out to Zion and Bryce Canyon in about three weeks and I really needed something sharper than my old kit lens. It cost me a small fortune though so now I'm super paranoid about scratching that front element or getting sand in there while I'm hiking around. I've been looking into filters and man it's a total rabbit hole. I saw some guys on a forum saying that the B+W XS-Pro is the only way to go because it's slim and won't cause vignetting at 24mm but then I read a bunch of reviews on Amazon saying Hoya is just as good for half the price so I'm stuck.

I'm mainly worried because the Art series is known for being so sharp and I dont want to put a piece of cheap glass in front of it and ruin the whole point of buying a pro lens. I'm also looking at getting a circular polarizer for the sky and the red rocks but I'm worried about the 82mm size being prone to those weird dark corners if the filter ring is too thick. I have about $200 left in my budget for this and I really want something that actually holds up in dusty conditions since I'll be hiking a lot.

I saw someone mention that Sigma makes their own ceramic filters but they're insanely expensive and I cant tell if they're actually better or just marketing hype or if I'm just paying for the brand name. Should I just stick with a high-end UV for protection or is it better to just use the lens hood and only put on a CPL when I actually need it for a shot? Also if anyone has used the Art series with the thin mount filters let me know if they actually stay on well because I've heard they can be a pain to get off sometimes especially if the weather gets cold...

Betty · Accepted Answer

Agreed on the hood. I've tried many and the Hoya 82mm Fusion Antistatic Next UV is a killer budget pick. It handles dust great and wont break the bank like those ceramic filters.

ZenSpecter · Answer

Regarding what the first reply said about sand, are you shooting full-frame? The B+W 82mm Master Clear MRC Nano 007 offers amazing technical reliability! Quick tip: keep your hood attached for safety.

CipherCircuit · Answer

Man, I totally feel your pain on the scared to scratch it vibe. I remember when I took my first Art lens out to Arches for the first time... I was so nervous about that fine red sand getting everywhere that I basically spent half the hike cleaning my glass instead of actually shooting. Honestly tho, sand is no joke and it can really grind into the filter threads if you arent careful while swapping things out. Since you have 200 bucks left in the budget, I would suggest splitting it between a solid protector and a decent CPL. Dont go cheap on the 82mm glass because low quality filters definitely soften those sharp edges the Art lenses are known for. Here is what I have used and what I would watch out for:

Make sure to look at the B+W 82mm XS-Pro Clear MRC Nano 010M. I have used this specific line for years and the nano coating makes it so much easier to wipe off dust without scratching the filter itself. It is super slim so vignetting at 24mm shouldnt be an issue.

For the polarizer, I would suggest the Hoya 82mm NXT Plus Circular Polarizer. It is way more affordable than the high-end B+W ones but still keeps the colors punchy.

Be careful with those thin mounts in the cold. I had one seize up on me once near Bryce and I had to use a rubber band to get enough grip to twist it off... total nightmare.

You might want to consider just using the lens hood as your primary protection and only screwing on the CPL when the sky needs it. The hood is actually really deep and stops most accidental bumps.