UV filters and polarizers, are the all about the same?

[masp]

Who makes the best UV and polarizing filters? Are they all about the same? I'm looking at the cheap UV and polarizing filters at B&H for about $50. Adorama also has a kit where a Tiffen filter is only about an extra $8. Just looking for a quick and good way to get started if you have any suggestions.

This Hoya filter set looks like a fairly good deal, a 3 stop ND filter, a +1.3 stop polarizer which were mentioned on the podcast, as well as a multi-coated UV filter. Multi-coated is good right? I'm not sure if the ND filter and polarizer are worth it though. Maybe they're too low end to really be useful?

Also some kits include a warming filter, but I guess this is pointless if you can just adjust white balance in camera right?

[Mad Aussie]

Marko did a good podcast on filters I think.

A search should turn up previous convos we've had about them also.

In good conditions all the filters will perform well and you won't see a difference. It's in the more adverse conditions where better filters shows their true 'colours'

Yes, multi-coated is better.

Hoya are a good all round choice although they do offer different qualities as well and do have a cheap end and an expensive end.

Yeh, I'd never bother with a warming filter either for that reason.

[masp]

Does a UV filter affect your image much at all? The guest on Marko's podcast claimed that UV light barely affects modern DSLRs, so perhaps the UV filter is essentially a piece of clear glass to cover your lens. Maybe the cheap ones reduce the amount of light you have to work with though?

Just getting a UV filter and worrying about polarizers later does seem to be the easier and cheaper route though.

[Mad Aussie]

All DSLR sensors actually have a UV coating on them as far as I know. So apparently a UV filter is more effective as a bodyguard than it is as a UV filter.

The only time I notice a UV filter affecting a photo, good or bad, is when I get eccessive lens flare ... usually at night from very bright lights. By taking the filter off I can often eliminate or drastically reduce the flare.

[masp]

Hmm, would switching to another type of filter or a polarizer help in such a situation, or is your best option just to uncover the lens?

[Mad Aussie]

It's possible a very expensive filter might be better in that more extreme situation. Personally I'd just remove the filter and get the shot(s)

A polariser won't help much at night if it's a fast shutter speed you need. It may help a little on a long exposure ... not sure.