tita1948 Loc: North Idaho

I bought a UV and a Polarized filter for my camera, and am wondering when I should use each one?

I have heard some people say they keep their UV filter on the lens at all times, others say they keep the polarized lens on all the time, and others I have heard say they never use filters.

From what research I have done it looks like I should keep the UV filter on most of the time (to help protect the lens) and use the polarized filter on sunny days to help get rid of glare and make the color of objects stand out more.

So which is it?

olcoach Loc: Oregon

UV users use it to protect lens. Polarized filter lets you do some things on sunny days but sometimes on other days too. Take your polarizer out and have some fun with it.

tita1948 Loc: North Idaho

Thanks for the fast response. :thumbup:

FredB Loc: A little below the Mason-Dixon line.

In all honesty, the UV filter will be pretty useless, UNLESS you make a habit of banging your lens around. They make no physical or optical sense with digital sensors. People will chime in with the "I dropped my lens off the kitchen table/park bench/car hood/Grand Canyon, and only my UV filter kept it from being smashed" testimonials, but they are in the minority. I've been shooting since the early 60s and have not once dropped a lens. If you are completely anal about protection, forget the UV and get a good quality CLEAR optical glass filter.

The CPL will prove useful in almost all outside daylight situations. Apart from the glare-reducing properties, it will improve saturation of colors, and also help contrast, within reason. It will not be useful indoors, or at night.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

A UV filter will not protect you lens if dropped, But it will protect it from being scratched or from finger prints that can sometimes etch into your lens.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

And, if you have removed your UV to add a CPL, you'll have the same protection. I advise against stacking filters unless you are trying to achieve special effects, and that is why I use Cokin filters (there are so many more options in positioning).

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Use a Circular Polarizing filter were water is present, reflective surfaces, such a glass clad buildings and enhancing the sky/clouds. Take your photograph at ninety degrees to the sun if possible. Keep you UV filter on to protect the thread of your lens, but remove it when using the circular polarizing filter.

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

It is as you say - also a Polarizing filter can increase color saturation and decrease reflections. From the protection side it depends how much risk you think there is to your front element - some are more exposed than others.

But - anything in front of the lens will give some degradation of the picture and a polarizer will cost you exposure of 2-3 stops.

Read;
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/polarizing-filters.htm