Bower filters?

[WillCAD]

My new Sigma 18-125 lens arrived today, along with the 62mm UV filter I ordered.

However, instead of the Tiffen filter I was supposed to get, I got a Bower.

Now, most people agree that Tiffen filters are the best, but I'm not a pro and won't be shooting news or product shots - I just shoot family pics and vacation pics. So I'm thinking of just keeping the Bower instead of going through the hassle of sending it back to Tri-State and having to wait several days for the Tiffen.

Before I make the decision, however, I'd like to know more about Bower filters. Are they good? Bad? Middle-of-the-road? And most importantly, why do you think what you think about Bower filters?

And remember, I'm putting this filter on a $240 Sigma zoom lens, not a $4000 Cannon L-series or a $20,000 Hassleblad lens.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I pesonally prefer B+W filters because although they are supposed to be neutral, the warm up the image a bit. I honestly have never heard of Bower brand. Just take several pics with and without the filter. If you see any negative difference (difference that you don't like) then get rid of it. If you like positive difference (like when I accidentally found out about it when I used B+W filter), then keep it.

 

[ducklite]

I'm a Hoya filter user. I find they have the least amount of distortion. The only thing I use filters for is to protect my glass, I have a UV filter on each of my lenses. I had to replace the filter on my Nikkor 80-200 zoom a few weeks ago after it got hit by a shoe. I was more than happy to replace the $25 filter. I can't imagine having to replace the $1600 lens.

Anne

 

[murphy54]

HOYA filters are good but cost many $$

 

[Kelly Grannell]

B+W too. So mostly I just use Sigma EX filters. They are not too costly and they are actually neutral.

 

[ndelaware]

. I had to replace the filter on my Nikkor 80-200 zoom a few weeks ago after it got hit by a shoe.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

HOYA filters are good but cost many $$

Actually they are only $10-20 more than any other brand, depending on the size you need, a small price to pay for better quality.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Well, it was actually a sneaker. That someone threw. I'm not kidding.

Anne

 

[ndelaware]

Well, it was actually a sneaker. That someone threw. I'm not kidding.

Anne

Oh, I believe you. LOL. I am familiar with where you use your camera from reading your posts.

 

[ducklite]

Oh, I believe you. LOL. I am familiar with where you use your camera from reading your posts.

Could have been worse. At least no bodily fluids were involved.

Anne (Who will need years of therapy to get over the Jag tour but thought Sno-Core Kicked butt!!!)

 

[boBQuincy]

Bower is kind of the "house" brand, could be made by &W (doubt it) or could be made by !@#$%^&* (more likely). Except for conditions that cause flare it is not likely to cause any noticeable degradation to your images (based on personal experience).

However... I don't like the idea of using a $10 piece of glass in front of a finely made lens so I do not use UV filters. The lens filters the UV anyway so the filter is really just for protection. It's a personal choice and the filter/no filter people are never going to agree on this one!


boB