Heliopan Filters

[Kirk Gittings]

JW,

Touche, I think.

[Jorge Gasteazoro]

JW,

I was only refering to problems with B&W. I have never owned a Heliopan. Others in this forum have reported the loose ring issue before, but maybe the soft MC was a single production run problem.

Because of those experiences I quite using glass filters for years and used Lee Polyesters instead, but I have become such a clumsy dufus that I am continually sneezing into them, jabbing them with my finger punching them thru the frame, dropping them in dirt etc. that they have become a liabilty.

Kirk, I have had B+W filter for years and never had a problem, OTOH when I was unemployed I sold Heliopan when I worked at a camera shop. If you are rough on the filters then Heliopans are a better choice. B+W have a more "refined" finish, the Heliopans are built like bricks. A slight disadvantage would be if you stack filters, for instance a polarizer and a colored one. The Heliopan rings are a bit thicker than the B+W, so if you stack and are using a wide angle you might get some vignetting. Other than that you should be very happy with the Heliopan.

If your choice of filters is too narrow, you might want to contact HP marketing and ask them who has them in stock, they might be able to help you.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Heliopan switched to slim rings for all their filters at a certain point, so most of the newer Heliopan filters that I have are in thinner rings than most of the B+W's that I have, but I have one or two B+W filters in slim rings as well.

[Bob Salomon]

If a deaaler does not have the filter you want in their stock when you need it they can simply order it from us and have us drop ship it directly to you. Even on the same day. There is no charge for drop shipping.

[Steve Hamley]

For the record, I've also had B&W retaining rings come loose. Not fatal, but it is a hassle. I like Heliopans even though most are only single coated, especially the old brass housings. Yes, I know you can special order multicoated, but I don't think I've ever seen one while MRC B&Ws are common. One of my favorite filters is an older Heliopan uncoated warm tone Kasemann polarizer.

Bob, you make it sound easy but Heliopans are harder to get. You have to call or e-mail a dealer, then he has to order, etc etc when in most cases B&Ws are in stock for on-line ordering at major photo houses like B&H. for example, I'd like to try a yellow-green filter for fall B&W shots. B&W is in stock at B&H and Heliopan status is "Accepting orders". If it was important and I wanted it in time, I'd be ordering the B&W filter. I'd probably have all Heliopans if B&Ws weren't easier to get.

Steve

[Bob Salomon]

For the record, I've also had B&W retaining rings come loose. Not fatal, but it is a hassle. I like Heliopans even though most are only single coated, especially the old brass housings. Yes, I know you can special order multicoated, but I don't think I've ever seen one while MRC B&Ws are common. One of my favorite filters is an older Heliopan uncoated warm tone Kasemann polarizer.

Bob, you make it sound easy but Heliopans are harder to get. You have to call or e-mail a dealer, then he has to order, etc etc when in most cases B&Ws are in stock for on-line ordering at major photo houses like B&H. for example, I'd like to try a yellow-green filter for fall B&W shots. B&W is in stock at B&H and Heliopan status is "Accepting orders". If it was important and I wanted it in time, I'd be ordering the B&W filter. I'd probably have all Heliopans if B&Ws weren't easier to get.

Steve

Steve,

We stock and sell lots of SH-PMC Heliopan filters. Even through B&H. And B&H does stock Heliopan.

It is just as easy to order an item that the dealer does not have in stock as it is to order when it is in stock at the dealers. If we have it in stock they just have us drop ship it to you if you ask for drop shipping. B&H, Adorama, Samy's, John Smith camera shop regularly call us on a 3rd party call or with the consumer on hold to check our stock stsus. frequently we can ship it faster then your dealer can as we ship same day if the dealer asks to the consumer or the dealer, at no extra charge. Since we have no minimum orders all the dealer has to do is call the order in to us and give us the shipping address. This would include the dealer closest to you as well as mail order dealers.

[Steve Hamley]

Thanks Bob, that's good to know. I just placed my order for the yellow-green.

Steve

[Eric James]

Steve,

We stock and sell lots of SH-PMC Heliopan filters. Even through B&H. And B&H does stock Heliopan.

It is just as easy to order an item that the dealer does not have in stock as it is to order when it is in stock at the dealers. If we have it in stock they just have us drop ship it to you if you ask for drop shipping. B&H, Adorama, Samy's, John Smith camera shop regularly call us on a 3rd party call or with the consumer on hold to check our stock stsus. frequently we can ship it faster then your dealer can as we ship same day if the dealer asks to the consumer or the dealer, at no extra charge. Since we have no minimum orders all the dealer has to do is call the order in to us and give us the shipping address. This would include the dealer closest to you as well as mail order dealers.

Bob, Is this true of Rodenstock lenses?

[Bob Salomon]

That is true for all items we sell in both the photo market and the luggage market.

[Helen Bach]

The soft multicoating problem with B+W filters was fixed a while ago. The current multicoating (MRC 'multi-resistant coating'), is a big improvement on the old MC.

Best,
Helen