I'm looking for some advice on filters for my new Canon 16-35L II lens.

For my wide angle lenses, I usually use Hoya Pro 1 UV/Skylight filters to protect the lens and Singh-Ray polarizers and for my 70-200 2.8L i use a B+W skylight.

However, as i am getting frustrated with the difficulty with cleaning the Hoya Pro 1's (seem to smudge a lot more then my B+W filters), I wanted to know if anyone knows of any other options for a UV filter that will not vignette with wide angle lenses and has front filter threads (for when I want to attach my Lee wide hood to use graduated ND filters).

I have heard read that the Heliopan SH-PMC filters are thinner then most filters. Is this a good choice for my 16-35L and 24-105L lenses? Does anyone know if these filters are thin enough to prevent vignetting??

I am also looking for some advice on a thin Circular polarizer in the 82mm necessary for the 16-35L II lense. I have Singh-Ray Color Combo, Kenko Pro 1 (same as Hoya), and a Moose warming polarizers in 77mm, but now need a 82mm Circular polarizer. Singh-ray has adviced me that they are working on having limited quantities of their COlor combo polarizer (as well as the Vari ND), availalbe in 6-9 weeks which I have pre-ordered (incidently, if anyone is interested in getting an 82mm singh-ray, i recommend you pre-order now, as they will are only ordering enough parts to produce enough quantity to fill the pre-orders).

However, for the time being, i wanted to pick up a regular polarizer. The only thin mount circular polarizer i have been able to find that have front threads is the Hoya Pro 1 filters. Is there any other option??

Even among the Hoya Pro 1's i'm a bit confused on what to get, as I have come accross the following options:
-Hoya Pro 1 Digital Multi-coated Circ polarizer
($270 at B&H & $170 at photofilter.com)
-Hoya Pro 1 SMC circ polarizer ($260 at photofilter.com)
-Hoya pro 1 super HMC circ. polarizer ($330 at B&H)

I hope this thread doesn't turn into a filter/no filter debate, as I have already had filters save my lenses on a number of occasions and will not shoot without one. I just want some advice on the best options for filters given my needs.

The Hoya Ultra polarizers I've been using scratch easy and rattle loose very quickly so for the new 16-35 I'm getting a B&W 82 mm.

I hope it's better built then the Hoyas..

I've had problems cleaning Hoya filters too. B+W or Nikon (if I can find them) from now on.

I've had problems cleaning Hoya filters too. B+W or Nikon (if I can find them) from now on.

David,
I have not had problems with my Hoya Pro 1's rattling or being loose. however, i have had a lot of issues keeping them clean - they seem to smudge a lot.

I think i'm going to be stuck with them though. I'm getting the slim mount Singh-Ray Color Combo and Vari-ND filters, but for my regular filter, i need ones that have front threads. I've checked around regarding the Heliopan SH-PMC filters which are supposed to be thinner then most other filters, despite still having a brass ring. However, these filters will vignetted for lenses under 22mm. The only other filters that i have been able to find that do have front threads are the B+W Wide slim filters. However, the front threads on the 82mm filter are 95mm.

It seems the only manufacturer that is making slim filters with front threads is Hoya/Kenko with their Pro 1 series filters.

I asked Canon (Oz) about vingetting on the 16-35 II with a normal thickness pola and they said the new lens would have a thread of 80mm except that there's no filters that size so they upped it to 82.

So it shouldn't be a problem..