I'm considering getting a UV filter to leave on the XH-A1 full-time for protection. Two I've been looking at are the B&W 72mm UV Haze 010 Multi-Resisant Coating glass filer and the HOYA 72mm UV Pro 1 Digital Multi-Coated glass filer. Has anyone used either or both of these? I'm looking for real world experience as to which, if either, would be better.

Hi
I use the Hoya, screwed in on as soon as I unpacked my A1. don't even know it's there.
Trev

I have the B+W filter you name. It is very nice and works fine.

I don't know about other filters, but it makes putting on the lens hood a bit tight, but there has been no problem.

I got a Hoya thin glass filter, 3mm. It was about $75 or so. Very thin but the tradeoff is no front threads, so it has to come off before using other filters. Seems fine.

Hoya is thin and good glass. B+W is thick and good glass. I like Hoya.

Hoya also has a 72mm Clear Pro 1 Digital Multi-Coated Glass Filter, which is cheaper than the UV filter. What are the pros and cons of the clear filter versus the UV filter, given I will be leaving it on all the time.

I got the B&W. It was around $50 to $60, if I recall correctly. No problems at all with it.

B+W F-Pro A1 72mm filter ---> $100.
The front element of your XH-A1 ---> priceless.

I'm very satisfied with it. It's a good optic.

Even with careful cleaning of the front lens element,
over time the front lens surface will mar. I recommend
a high-quality, made for HD filter. This will reduce the
number of times you need to clean the front surface.

I use my camera outside often, and it's exposed to
dust and pollen. First, I try to blow off what I can.
Next, I try a soft brush. Finally, if needed, I use a
wipe made for lens cleaning. Don't use the
wipe first, as you may grind in particles.

Incidentally, I remove the A1 filter when shooting
into the sun or other light sources to avoid flare,
but generally keep the A1 filter on.

Accidents happen. Let the accidents happen to
a cheap piece of glass, not your XH-A1 lens.

I have bought from Ebay one Kenko 72mm Pro1 Pro 1 Digital MultiCoated UV Filter at only 23.00US$ plus 7$ shipping to Italy. Kenko is the local japan brand of Hoya. At this time is available at 20.99US$ on Ebay as item number 190148240426. Very good quality.
Bye

I'll go for a Hoya. Read this for more infomation on thier glass, especially the muilt glass.

http://www.thkphoto.com/products/hoya/hoya-02.html

For those of recommending a Hoya - does it matter whether it's a clear filter or a UV filter?

I have the B+W you mentioned and I like it.

I have the MRC 72 ND 4x + the MRC Circ Pol + UV 72 F-Pro .
All B+W. I l leave the UV on for ever, but agreed with Eric Muehling above.
You need to clean the front element, more if you stack lenses.

For those of recommending a Hoya - does it matter whether it's a clear filter or a UV filter?
For protection, it doesn't matter. Most people will use a UV Filter since it serves to remove some haze outside by filtiltering the UV light. There are different levels of UV light removal in different filters.

If I get the UV filter, will it matter if I leave it on all the time - including when I doing video inside?

Nope. That's what it's for, to leave on all the time. The only time a UV makes any noticeable difference is if you're shooting a mountain in the distance or doing aerial photography, and it allegedly will help eliminate some of the haze look.

you can leave the filter on all the time unless you are very particular about quality or there is a light source in the frame.

you can leave the filter on all the time unless you are very particular about quality or there is a light source in the frame.

If I got the clear Hoya filter instead of the UV filter, would that take care of the light source in the frame issue?

no - if there is a light source in the frame any filter can cause ghosting.

Sounds like if I want a filter on for full-time protection, a UV Haze filter is the best - covers outdoors and indoors situation.

From the comments, both the Hoya and B+W are excellent options. Thanks to all of you for the advice and comments.

Whatever filter you take, there's one risk I experienced: the camera becomes much more sensitive to lens flare effects in clear sunlight. Problem is you don't notice it necessarily on the displays, but afterwards during editing.

Probably a bigger lenshood will help you, but it doesn't make your gear leaner in practical use.

Whatever filter you take, there's one risk I experienced: the camera becomes much more sensitive to lens flare effects in clear sunlight. Problem is you don't notice it necessarily on the displays, but afterwards during editing.

Probably a bigger lenshood will help you, but it doesn't make your gear leaner in practical use.

I just shot 12 hours in a rehearsal hall shooting from all angles, often with lights in the shot (usually up high in the corner of the frame) I didn't see any problems from reflections or flares. As I said above I use the B+W multi-coated UV (10) filter. I think the multi-coating helps the reflections in my filter. Probably the same with the Hoya multi-coated.

Whatever filter you take, there's one risk I experienced: the camera becomes much more sensitive to lens flare effects in clear sunlight. Problem is you don't notice it necessarily on the displays, but afterwards during editing.

Probably a bigger lenshood will help you, but it doesn't make your gear leaner in practical use.

look at my post....http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=102949

I use the www.cinetactics.com dv soft matte box they suggest for the xha1 and it works great for lens flares. I have a uv filter threaded on and then the adapter ring threaded on my filter that allows the matte box to be added. Its a great product and cheap compared to other matteboxes. Plus its soft!!