Camera Labs

Hi Ant1
Reason I asked whether you have any other lens was to test out the filter (assuming its the same ring 52mm or 62mm ?) on the other lens.
If it produces more or less same unsharpness result then it confirms the UV filter is 'bad'. An alternative is to go back to the store and test it on some of the lenses there and if the unsharpness is still pronounce, maybe get the store to give you a new one

I should kick myself firstly
(kick - ouch) for forgeting the other post !

Faster lens ? I think everyone would love to have one - but its always the wallet that speaks and mine is not talking to me at the moment !

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Nikon D7000 and a bunch of Nikkors

I just came back from a short test with Siemens-stars and the Hoya super Pro1 under controlled conditions with my Nikkor VR 18-200mm set to 50mm f8: There was no visible difference between shots with or without the UV-filter, neither centre nor corner.
That does not necessarily mean that Ant's problems don't result from the filter, but it means that IQ-probs with Hoya UV-filters are not the rule but more likely the exception. Perhaps Ant's filter is a bad copy

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses