Thirty dollar Skylight filter on a 475 dollar lens: Am I the only one that thinks it's a very good idea to protect my lenses from scratches with a skylight filter? Some say that piece...

machia Loc: NJ

Am I the only one that thinks it's a very good idea to protect my lenses from scratches with a skylight filter? Some say that piece of glass will degrade image quality. If so, are the Tiffens and Hoyas that I always buy for around twenty to thirty dollars not the best I can buy? I just don't see the sense of leaving expensive glass exposed like that. Any thoughts?

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

machia wrote:

Am I the only one that thinks it's a very good idea to protect my lenses from scratches with a skylight filter? Some say that piece of glass will degrade image quality. If so, are the Tiffens and Hoyas that I always buy for around twenty to thirty dollars not the best I can buy? I just don't see the sense of leaving expensive glass exposed like that. Any thoughts?

I keep all my lenses covered. UV, or clear. I think it's cheep insurance.
Marion

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I'd say, stop scratching your lenses! I never scratch mine; It's not hard to do. Simply keep a lens cap or a lens hood on between shooting. Don't wipe your lens with a cloth that contains sand grains. Be smart about handling your camera, and never drop it onto the pavement.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I have UV filters on mine.
I feel much more comfortable attacking the filter with a rag, than wiping a coated lens with a micro cloth.

You can replace a UV or other filter much easier than replacing the front element or entire lens. :roll:

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

machia wrote:

Am I the only one that thinks it's a very good idea to protect my lenses from scratches with a skylight filter? Some say that piece of glass will degrade image quality. If so, are the Tiffens and Hoyas that I always buy for around twenty to thirty dollars not the best I can buy? I just don't see the sense of leaving expensive glass exposed like that. Any thoughts?

http://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/5507/what-is-the-difference-between-uv-and-skylight-filters

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Marionsho wrote:

I think it's cheep insurance.
Marion

All this time I thought that type of insurance was for BIF shots! :-D

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

rook2c4 wrote:

I'd say, stop scratching your lenses! I never scratch mine; It's not hard to do. Simply keep a lens cap or a lens hood on between shooting. Don't wipe your lens with a cloth that contains sand grains. Be smart about handling your camera, and never drop it onto the pavement.

I had the same thought with regard to collision insurance on my car. I'm going to stop getting into accidents.... :)

BillKe

There is a lot of emotion on this subject. many feel the extra layer of glass degrades performance. That may be true, but I cannot tell the difference with or without a UV filter. I put them on every lens.

I know someone is going to challenge "I cannot tell the difference" but if there is a difference it is so minor it does not matter (to me).

BTW--I have never scratched a filter or a lens in 45 years of photography.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

SonnyE wrote:

I have UV filters on mine.
I feel much more comfortable attacking the filter with a rag, than wiping a coated lens with a micro cloth.

You can replace a UV or other filter much easier than replacing the front element or entire lens. :roll:

Agreed. ;)

jockellis Loc: Cumming, GA

Why would you think you are the only one?

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Here we go!!

BigWahoo Loc: Kentucky

machia wrote:

Am I the only one that thinks it's a very good idea to protect my lenses from scratches with a skylight filter? Some say that piece of glass will degrade image quality. If so, are the Tiffens and Hoyas that I always buy for around twenty to thirty dollars not the best I can buy? I just don't see the sense of leaving expensive glass exposed like that. Any thoughts?

Perhaps you could set up a test. Take a shot in the same conditions with and without a filter or filters and decide if it makes a difference to you or not.

Then don't tell anyone and it won't matter.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Best idea in a long time, BigWahoo! Or, we could start the same old pissin' contest over this aged and well worn topic! :lol:

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

LFingar wrote:

All this time I thought that type of insurance was for BIF shots! :-D

:lol: :lol: :lol:

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

:thumbup: :lol: