Wide Angle Filters vs. Normal Ones.. Advantages/Disadvantages?

Hello, does any one know the disadvantages of using wide filters
instead of regular filters (I'm trying to get a polarizer and a UV
filter for my 50mm lens, to be also used with the 18-55mm digital
rebel kit zoom - both happen to share the same thread size: 58mm). Can
I stack filters on top of each other with "wide filters" or will I
lost this capability to regular ones?
Also any recommendations? I'm thinking of getting the "B+W" ones so as
not to give my self any "equipment-related" excuses when the photos
turn out bad
Thanks for your thoughts..

Moe

 

A wide angle filter is larger in diameter in the front then the rear of
the filter.

Some people believe that thin filters are wide angle filters. However
they are not. They may work on wider angle lenses then "standard'
filters but the still extend the length of the lens so vignetting is
still possible. Especially with stacked filters. Slim filters are made 2
ways, in the case of Heliopan they only make slim UV, color, and B&W
filters. All have a front thread for stacking filters, adding a lens
hood or a snap-on cap. However Heliopan offers a choice of standard or
slim circular polarizers as their slim polarizers do not have front
threads. In the case of B+W slim filters there are no front threads.

The good news is that you should not stack a UV and a polarizer as the
polarizer will also cut UV. You might want to stack a Skylight filter
with other types as the Skylight is a warming filter. The UV does not
warm.

You also have to be careful with extreme wide angle shots with a
polarizer as the sky has areas that are polarized. When you have a wide
expanse of sky that you use a polarizer on you can get banding from the
areas that are already polarized.

 

Often wide angle filters have no internal threads on the outer side,
preventing the stacking of additional filter elements. They are
generally thinner, and thus less likely to degrade lens performance at
the edges. As I recall, they are also relatively expensive.

 

It is always risky to stack filters on a wide angle lens - and almost
never necessary. You are almost certain to get some visible vignetting
before you get to 18mm. (You may even get it with one filter at 18mm if
the lens design does not have a filter ring wider than the minimum
necessary to accommodate the glass.)

To add to Bob's comment, if you want to use a polariser and a warming
filter, you can get warming polarisers which do both things in one
filter. I personally don't care for warming filters that much, as they
tend to make the sky go a little cyan, but it's a matter of taste.

If you really want to use sophisticated filters with 2 or 3 types in one
shot, then the only really reliable solution is to use a slot-in system
like the Lee, Hi-Tech or Cokin Pro. The first two are used by many pro
photographers and in the movie business; they are undoubtedly expensive
and cumbersome, but they work every time.

 

Wide filters are usually thinner than normal filters to help prevent
vignetting. They also usually don't have threads on the front. You
don't want to stack filters since that will add to vignetting.

B+W filters are some of the best and use brass instead of aluminum.
Brass doesn't have a lot of the problems that aluminum does, like
seizing, so they come off the lens easily. Heliopan is another top
notch brand.

Bob

 

Thanks Bob..

I take it that there is no reason why a wide angle filter shouldn't
work perfectly on, say, a telephoto lens; Other than the outside/edge
metal threading design there aren't more differences.. right?

Moe

 

That only make slim filters and do have front threads and are brass
mounts with Schott (Zeiss) glass. Standard or 12 layer MC per side.

 

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With only limited filters used occasionally and to avoid the clunkiness of
Lee and Cokin front ends I have used step rings with a single step from my
46mm; 48mm; and 52mm lenses to 72mm and fitted 72mm glass filters with a
72mm lens hood at the end. Though more expensive in that size they also fit
directly at 72mm to my 28-200 telephoto lens - so one filter for all the
lenses without the Lee or Cokin A or P adapters to fool with.

Journalist