To filter or not to filter
Jan 7, 2015 12:36:48 #
I was the OP for the thread "Is there one ideal lens for all around use". I got lots of great suggestions, including the following
So, I picked door number three, and am now awaiting my Ebay sourced $220 35-70 f2.8 lens, and am on an active hunt for a used 80-200 f2.8 D (new) lens to go with it. I'm letting go my reluctance to change lenses on the fly (I hope).
So, since these lenses are reported to be tack sharp, will putting a UV filter on them (for the lens protective value primarily) reduce the IQ I'm buying them for. I never gave it a thought when I was shooting through my 18-300 f3.5-5.6, but these new lenses are a big step up in quality for me. Any thoughts?
ddonlewis wrote:
Jerry, br As someone has already mentioned t... (show quote)
So, I picked door number three, and am now awaiting my Ebay sourced $220 35-70 f2.8 lens, and am on an active hunt for a used 80-200 f2.8 D (new) lens to go with it. I'm letting go my reluctance to change lenses on the fly (I hope).
So, since these lenses are reported to be tack sharp, will putting a UV filter on them (for the lens protective value primarily) reduce the IQ I'm buying them for. I never gave it a thought when I was shooting through my 18-300 f3.5-5.6, but these new lenses are a big step up in quality for me. Any thoughts?
Jan 7, 2015 12:45:44 #
jerrypoller wrote:
I was the OP for the thread "Is there one ide... (show quote)
If you want to put a protective filter on, use a clear glass filter, and don't skimp on the $ Hoya or B+H. Are the best
Jan 7, 2015 13:17:13 #
You've asked a question akin to whether Nikon is better than Canon ... The Hoya or B&H brands have been analyzed to say no impact. And also agreed: use clear rather than UV if you never plan to use these lenses on a film camera.
Jan 7, 2015 13:27:06 #
boberic wrote:
If you want to put a protective filter on, use a clear glass filter, and don't skimp on the $ Hoya or B+H. Are the best
Don't you mean B+W filters?
I tend to believe that any additional glass causes loss so lens protection for me is a lens hood. Got rid of my "protective" filters a while back and saw a gain in IQ right away.
Granted I probably had cheaper filters.
Jan 7, 2015 13:29:39 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
You've asked a question akin to whether Nikon is better than Canon ... The Hoya or B&H brands have been analyzed to say no impact. And also agreed: use clear rather than UV if you never plan to use these lenses on a film camera.
Thanks - hadn't thought of that.
Jan 7, 2015 13:32:19 #
Dngallagher wrote:
Don't you mean B+W filters?
I tend to believe that any additional glass causes loss so lens protection for me is a lens hood. Got rid of my "protective" filters a while back and saw a gain in IQ right away.
Granted I probably had cheaper filters.
I tend to believe that any additional glass causes loss so lens protection for me is a lens hood. Got rid of my "protective" filters a while back and saw a gain in IQ right away.
Granted I probably had cheaper filters.
This is exactly what I'm concerned about. But I also tend to be a belt and suspenders guy. Would a quality "clear" filter merely protect the lens glass, or would, even the good ones, tend to degrade IQ (the purpose for upgrading to these f2.8 zooms). Anyone else care to weigh in?
Jan 7, 2015 14:20:25 #
New thought after seeing a webinar - if you are shooting someone welding closeup use a filter, otherwise use a lens hood.
Jan 7, 2015 14:44:57 #
jerrypoller wrote:
So, since these lenses are reported to be tack sharp, will putting a UV filter on them (for the lens protective value primarily) reduce the IQ I'm buying them for. I never gave it a thought when I was shooting through my 18-300 f3.5-5.6, but these new lenses are a big step up in quality for me. Any thoughts?
In most situations, the difference between filter and no filter will be so minimal, you'd need to look at the image on the pixel level to tell the difference. But there are some situations (for example, when a bright light source is present at the edge of the frame) where there may be a more significant difference between filter and no filter. I suppose an exceptionally dirty filter could make a difference also.
Perhaps the truly best way to come to your own conclusion on the matter is to do your own comparison tests, under various conditions. Certainly better than going by what a salesperson tells you what you need to get!
Jan 7, 2015 15:11:41 #
RE: UV filter.
The only advice I have ever been given was the 'Protective' attributes of using them to break rather than the actual lens and that they stop degradation of the lens coating. At £16 a pop for a UV a plastic lens cover sounds like a better option and more potential protection.
UV filter shot through glass causes double vision in bright object/light. It will stack a CP filter far enough forward to cause artifact in the corners of some lenses.
I bought in to the advice as a novice - I still use kit lenses and figure that, by now, they don't owe me anything so no longer fit them. But I do fit a lens cover cause they came with one!
Hope this adds to your research
The only advice I have ever been given was the 'Protective' attributes of using them to break rather than the actual lens and that they stop degradation of the lens coating. At £16 a pop for a UV a plastic lens cover sounds like a better option and more potential protection.
UV filter shot through glass causes double vision in bright object/light. It will stack a CP filter far enough forward to cause artifact in the corners of some lenses.
I bought in to the advice as a novice - I still use kit lenses and figure that, by now, they don't owe me anything so no longer fit them. But I do fit a lens cover cause they came with one!
Hope this adds to your research
Jan 7, 2015 15:48:50 #
tsilva wrote:
New thought after seeing a webinar - if you are shooting someone welding closeup use a filter, otherwise use a lens hood.
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Jan 7, 2015 15:54:21 #
tsilva wrote:
New thought after seeing a webinar - if you are shooting someone welding closeup use a filter, otherwise use a lens hood.
Good tip ;)
:thumbup:
Jan 8, 2015 00:43:06 #
I had a UV filter on one of my lenses and it made it grainy so I removed it and it is much better.
As far as keeping your glass safe, use a hood, and if you are not shooting put the lens cap on.
I have never dropped any of my lenses, none of them have any scratches, and I never have a filter on. The only one I don't use a hood on is my macro but that's only because it blocks out light.
As far as keeping your glass safe, use a hood, and if you are not shooting put the lens cap on.
I have never dropped any of my lenses, none of them have any scratches, and I never have a filter on. The only one I don't use a hood on is my macro but that's only because it blocks out light.
Jan 8, 2015 01:14:06 #
Never used a "protective" filter, scratched, broken or dropped a lens in 50 years of photography. On the other hand I use a lens cap when I'm not shooting and a lens hood when I am. I figure if I can't get the lens cap off before the subject flees then it wasn't meant to be.
Jan 8, 2015 07:47:16 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
I have had a filter on all my lenses for over 40 years. Did wedding photography for 30 years. I have dropped lenses several times over the years and the filter saved three of those lenses from serious damage, filter cracked, but not the lens. Good, cheap, insurance. Sure, many will say you see a drop in image quality. But all of my photo contest winners were taken with lenses with filters on. I have not noticed any drop in IQ for using a filter. But then again, I concentrate more on the final result than on lens chart tests. It all comes down to what you are comfortable with. The choice is yours.
Jan 8, 2015 07:51:41 #
billnikon wrote:
I have had a filter on all my lenses for over 40 y... (show quote)
Exactly, it is a personal choice, I could see the loss of IQ, and once the filters were off the IQ went up, so filters be gone.
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