Best filters and hoods for M4/3 lenses?

Hmm, I’ve had a different experience… for a budget M4/3 kit I’d actually skip the “always-on” clear/UV entirely. Even good ones can add a tiny bit of ghosting, and on the 12–40 backlight it’s noticeable imo.

Option A: no filter + OEM hood = cheapest ($0) and honestly the biggest flare win.
Option B: one CPL only when needed: K&F Concept Nano-X 77mm Circular Polarizer Filter (~$35-50) or Hoya UX II CIR-PL 77mm Filter (~$30-45). Pros: real outdoor pop. Cons: can worsen flare if you leave it on.
Option C: cheap ND only if you shoot video: K&F Concept ND64 77mm Neutral Density Filter (~$25-35).

Also get slim rings to avoid vignetting. I feel u, been there!!!

Similar situation here — I built a tiny M4/3 kit around the 12–40 and a 45, and flare was 90% solved once I stopped stacking filters and used the OEM hood more.

- I ran Breakthrough Photography X4 UV 1x Filter for “always on” protection and it didn’t add much ghosting (unlike my cheap clear).
- For CPL I ended up with Heliopan Circular Polarizer SH-PMC 52mm — pricey, but color/contrast stayed clean.
- For ND I’ve been happy with Formatt-Hitech Firecrest IRND 6-Stop 52mm (less magenta shift, i think?)

Honestly the hood matters more than people admit lol

Ngl, it's easy to overspend on glass that actually makes your flare worse if you aren't careful. Since you're shooting outdoors a lot, are you more worried about accidental bumps and scratches to the lens, or is your main priority just cutting down that ghosting in your backlit shots? Also, what's your stance on the build quality? I've generally found that the established Japanese optics companies provide much more consistent coatings and reliability than some of the newer, budget-friendly brands popping up lately, but they definitely charge for it. Are you looking to buy a single high-quality set for both lenses using step-up rings to save some cash, or do you want dedicated filters for each specific thread size?

Honestly, Ive spent way too much time and money analyzing the filter market over the last few years. I used to be obsessed with those super expensive boutique brands that claim 99.9% transmission, but in real-world M4/3 shooting, the difference is basically TINY compared to the solid mid-tier stuff. My current setup actually uses some glass that isn't usually in the top search results, and its been a game changer for flare. What I learned from my research phase:
* The entry-level multipacks are almost always a waste of money because they ruin the rendering of good lenses like your 12-40mm.
* Advanced coatings are the ONLY thing that actually matters (at least thats what worked for me) when dealing with the specific ghosting issues on our sensors.
* Hoods are the real MVP for protection. I once dropped my kit onto concrete; the plastic hood I was using cracked and absorbed all the impact, saving the glass entirely. Basically, if youre worried about flare, focus on the coating tech rather than just the marketing hype. The one I got recently has a much better multi-layer coating and it handles backlit subjects way better than my old "pro" ones ever did!

Nice, didn't know that

For your situation, I’d suggest: A) Skip UV unless you’re in sand/salt—flare can get worse; use a good clear: B+W 007 Clear MRC Nano Filter or Hoya HD Protector Filter. B) CPL is actually worth it outdoors: B+W Käsemann Circular Polarizer MRC Nano (best, pricier) vs Hoya HD Nano CIR-PL Filter (great value). C) ND: I love Hoya PROND ND64 Filter or NiSi Pro Nano ND 6-Stop Filter. Also, use the OEM hoods (or JJC LH-66B Lens Hood for the 12–40) and keep filters slim to avoid vignette!