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04/05/2007 11:18:07 AM · #1 |
| Do you buy a UV or protector filter for every lense you buy? Or do you just swap it to the lense you are using if it's the same size? |
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04/05/2007 11:21:11 AM · #2 |
I have found that I don't use UV or protection filters on any of my glass. Keeping the hood on and a lens cap handy works just as well if not better than a filter. Old lenses used to have glass that would scratch pretty easily, but from what I have read, the new lenses tend to have pretty scratch resistent glass.
I would rather spend that money on a better lens or on some ND or other useful filters.
Originally posted by heavyj:
Do you buy a UV or protector filter for every lense you buy? Or do you just swap it to the lense you are using if it's the same size? |
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04/05/2007 11:21:58 AM · #3 |
I don't use UV filters at all. IMO they are a waste of money. Lenses today have very sophisticated coatings and are safe from most damage without any additional protection. Besides that, I don't think it makes sense to buy a $500 lens then stick a $20 piece of glass in front of it.
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04/05/2007 11:22:13 AM · #4 |
I have a UV filter for each of my lenses. They're only like $12 or something, aren't they?
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04/05/2007 11:25:32 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by heavyj:
Do you buy a UV or protector filter for every lense you buy? Or do you just swap it to the lense you are using if it's the same size? |
I only use filters when they are absolutely necessary. There is no reason to add another piece of glass in front of a lens unless it has a useful purpose.
I'll drop a circular polarizer on it from time to time, or more often my Infrared filter.
You ain't protecting your lens with that UV filter, just adding a cheap piece of glass to nice glass. |
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04/05/2007 11:25:37 AM · #6 |
Cheap UV filters are 12 to 20 bucks, but as Cindi points out, why put cheap glass in front of a good lens?
Originally posted by KarenNfld:
I have a UV filter for each of my lenses. They're only like $12 or something, aren't they? |
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04/05/2007 11:26:36 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by idnic:
I don't use UV filters at all. IMO they are a waste of money. Lenses today have very sophisticated coatings and are safe from most damage without any additional protection. Besides that, I don't think it makes sense to buy a $500 lens then stick a $20 piece of glass in front of it. |
I have to agree with Cindi. I do have a UV filter but I never use it anymore. If I do have a filter on, as pccjrose said, I'd rather have something more useful. (I personally like my red filter or a CPOL)
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04/05/2007 11:26:53 AM · #8 |
| I don't really use UV filters. The only time when I used them with my Sony was when I was shooting while water was splashing around, the filter is easier to clean than the lens. I don't have a UV filter for my Nikon, if I have to shoot in a hostile environment I will get one. Every time you use a filter you degrade optical quality and increase chance of flare. I only use useful filters, ie. polariser, ND, and graduated ND. |
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04/05/2007 11:29:31 AM · #9 |
Noob question...
What is ND? |
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04/05/2007 11:29:59 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by heavyj:
Noob question...
What is ND? |
Neutral Density
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04/05/2007 11:30:33 AM · #11 |
I have circular polarizers for all of my lenses, I usually make the store throw one into the deal when I buy a new lens or at least give me a big discount. I leave them mounted on the lens and just remove it with the lens cap if it is not reqired for the shot.
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04/05/2007 11:31:28 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by heavyj:
Noob question...
What is ND? |
Neutral Density. It only allows a certain percentage of light to pass through, allowing you to use a longer shutter speed. Popular uses are for blurring moving water so that it looks like silk. |
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04/06/2007 03:37:33 PM · #13 |
I keep UV filters on my lenses but not threaded all the way so I can use them in place of a lens cap.
Once or twice it's paid off too where that little bit of time you lose popping the lens cap off, I just whipped off the shot. A picture with an extra piece of glass in front is better then no picture at all.
And as others have noted, I think it's worth having them just for when you are shooting in environments where you'll easily get stuff on your glass. You can treat the UV as a throwaway, wipe it off with a shirt or whatever is handy in a pinch and not worry about destroying the real stuff...
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04/06/2007 05:29:20 PM · #14 |
Two years ago I would have said UV filters for every lens. But with the last couple of lenses I don't bother anymore. The 30 f/1.4, 35-70 f/2.8 and 12-24 f/4 are without UV filters.
It takes one year of agressive dishwashingsoap cleaning on my glasses to scratch them and they are softer than real glass and coated. I clean my camera lenses front elements maybe twice a year, so it would take 100 years+ before I scratch my lenses with a less agressive cleaning approach.
Protection against falls and stuff like that? I read just as many stories where the filter saved the glass as where the broken filer damaged the front lens element.
So all the money I save on UV filters is enough to be able to replace one of my lenses with minimum loss.
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04/08/2007 05:54:26 AM · #15 |
| What about flying dirt/sand, especially when it's windy? I've always worked on the premise that it's better to have that stuff hitting a UV filter than hitting my front element, particularly when photographing at or near a beach. Does anyone have any hard data? (Not just "I think" or rough guesses - if it's just an opinion then I've already seen it hundreds of times, whether you agree or disagree with my opinion.) |
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04/08/2007 06:36:09 AM · #16 |
| I have a UV on all of my lenses. I leave it on for most of the time simply for protection. However, when I want that special shot, it comes off. |
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04/08/2007 06:41:16 AM · #17 |
Pft filters what are those? lol!
I sometimes put my sunglass's over the lense cos the scene looks cool through them but without them its dull lol yeah yeah Im weird
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04/08/2007 12:34:50 PM · #18 |
What type of conditions are you operating in? Sand storms in the sahara? I really doubt most of us really need any more protection than the lens and a lens cap.
Read the following article about using "protective filters"
UV protection filter - Fact or Friction?
Originally posted by paddles:
What about flying dirt/sand, especially when it's windy? I've always worked on the premise that it's better to have that stuff hitting a UV filter than hitting my front element, particularly when photographing at or near a beach. Does anyone have any hard data? (Not just "I think" or rough guesses - if it's just an opinion then I've already seen it hundreds of times, whether you agree or disagree with my opinion.) |
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04/08/2007 01:05:09 PM · #19 |
UV filters are like condoms, they take all the fun away....
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04/08/2007 03:35:02 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by xXxscarletxXx:
Pft filters what are those? lol!
I sometimes put my sunglass's over the lense cos the scene looks cool through them but without them its dull lol yeah yeah Im weird |
Maybe if people still had some huge 1970's Elton John sunglasses that would work but with a normal pair most of the lens would be uncovered. Doesn't sound too useful. |
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04/08/2007 04:30:03 PM · #21 |
I have a filter living on each lense for protection. Four lenses right now. The filters seem to cost about $80 Canadian each, but all four of mine were free.
When shopping for a lens, I always lead up to the end of a sale with something like, "... if I buy this lens right now, could you throw in a filter for free?"
It has made me a loyal customer at Henry's. :-)
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