Sorry Stewart but there are differences between different brands of filters just as there are differences between brands of lenses. According to my tests, the top three filter brands are: Nikon, B+W and Heilopan in that order. Then there is a big jump between those and then Tiffin, Hoya and then there is a jump to the crap filters that nobody recognizes. Nikon and B+W filters are so close that they are to my tests, just about equal. I found the optical quality to be equal but the Nikon antireflective coatings to be just a touch better than the B+W. Build quality is typical German versus Japanese: The B+W is built like a truck with it's large and very solid brass ring while the Nikon is craftily designed, very small, light and efficient. Heilopan has the same glass as B+W but the dying to my eye isn't as pleasant as either B+W or Nikon filters and the antireflective coating wasn't as good as either but they are still very good filters and I would use them if I didn't have Nikon or B+W to pick from. Tiffin and Hoya filters aren't even in the same class as the German and Nikon filters. Period. Their antireflective coatings aren't nearly as good, their optical quality isn't the same as their glass quality and manufacture methods are not nearly as good. The construction of the filters on the Tiffin are certainly better than the Hoya but they both have the strong tendency to bind on your lens or hood or other filters and that almost never happens with Nikon or the German filters. I had a Hoya filter completely come apart when it was dropped from waist level. That kind of quality does not belong in my camera bag. I did not test for this but a friend of mine who is a commercial photographer found that his Tiffin filters were preventing his lenses from focusing to infinity; they actually had a very slight dipotic effect. He eventually threw out all his Tiffins and now uses B+W. As for the rest of the filters on the market, forget them. They are not worth putting on your fine Nikkor lenses. As a final note, I wish that Nikon would make a greater range of filters as their line is very small. However they are fantastic and their A2 warming filter is easily the best on the market. If you have not seen one next to any other companies 81B, then you should see the difference side by side. Also, Nikons polarizers are amazing and are easily the best on the market. Do a side by side comparison and you will understand. If anyone has questions, feel free to e-mail me. Jonathan Castner Photojournalist Denver
