UV vs UV-Haze Filters: What the B+W 52mm Labels Mean

Quick answer

A UV filter and a UV-Haze filter are the same accessory: both are clear filters that block ultraviolet light. B+W's 010 and UV-Haze 1x markings describe the same type of filter in different label styles, not two different products. The main differences between the two 52mm B+W used listings here are the model name and SKU, not the filter's job.

Why B+W uses two label styles

B+W sells a filter it calls the UV-Haze 1x 010 and another called the E 010 Filter 1X. Both are 52mm screw-in filters from the same brand, and both carry the 010 designation. The 010 number is B+W's internal code for a clear UV filter; the 1x and 1X refer to the same single-layer UV-blocking function.

The practical point: don't pay extra for one label over the other expecting a different optical result. In the two used listings from Camera Wholesalers, both are 52mm B+W clear UV filters at the same catalog price.

What '1x' actually means

The '1x' in these model names is not a magnification factor like a teleconverter's 1.4x or 2x. It identifies the filter as a single-strength UV filter in B+W's naming, not a filter that changes your lens's focal length or magnification.

If you see '1x' on a filter listing and worry it will alter your framing, it won't. It is a label, not an optical multiplier.

Do UV filters affect image quality?

A clear UV filter adds one more glass surface in front of your lens. Whether that matters depends on the filter's quality and condition. The B+W F-Pro line is a multi-coated series, but these specific listings are used items, so surface condition matters more than the label.

For digital sensors, the UV-blocking benefit is smaller than it was for film, but the protective benefit remains. A UV filter can keep dust, fingerprints, and minor knocks off your front element. That protection is the main reason many photographers keep one mounted.

What the 52mm size tells you

The 52mm figure is the thread diameter, not the focal length or filter strength. It must match the front thread of your lens. Check the numbers printed on your lens barrel or inside the lens cap before ordering.

If your lens takes a different thread size, neither of these 52mm filters will fit, regardless of the model name. A 52mm UV filter guide is only useful if 52mm is your actual thread size.

Myths vs. facts: B+W 52mm UV filters

• Myth: A UV-Haze filter is different from a UV filter.: Verdict: False. B+W uses 'UV-Haze 1x 010' and 'E 010 Filter 1X' to describe the same clear UV filter type. The 010 code is the constant; the rest is labeling.
• Myth: The '1x' means the filter magnifies your image.: Verdict: False. The 1x/1X in these model names identifies a single-strength UV filter, not a magnification factor. It will not change your focal length.
• Myth: Any 52mm UV filter will fit any 52mm lens.: Verdict: Mostly true, but check your lens thread. Both B+W listings here are 52mm screw-in filters, so they fit lenses with a 52mm front thread. They will not fit other sizes. Confirm your lens thread size before buying; the 52mm number must match exactly.
• Myth: A used UV filter is always a bad idea.: Verdict: Not necessarily, but condition is the deciding factor. These are used listings; the catalog does not describe glass condition or coating wear, so review the details and images before purchasing. Ask about scratches, coating marks, and filter-ring dents if the listing photos are unclear.

The two B+W 52mm used filters here

• B+W 52mm UV-Haze 1x 010 F-Pro Filter - Used: B+W 52mm UV-Haze 1x 010 F-Pro Filter, used, 52mm thread, F-Pro series. The F-Pro series designation identifies this as part of B+W's multi-coated filter line, so you get the UV-Haze label with the F-Pro build.

  

• B+W 52mm E 010 Filter 1X - Used: B+W 52mm E 010 Filter 1X, used, 52mm thread, SKU BW52E0101XLM. This listing uses the E 010 label instead of UV-Haze, but the 010 code still marks it as a clear UV filter in the same 52mm size.