filter question: Hello all... This is my first post after reading posts for about 2 months and learning a lot! I have a question about lens filters: I have a Hoya HMC Super UV (0) lens...

slyfoxdoc

Hello all...
This is my first post after reading posts for about 2 months and learning a lot!
I have a question about lens filters:
I have a Hoya HMC Super UV (0) lens filter on my camera primarily as a lens protector.
I also have a Hoya Super Quality cir-polarizing filter I occasionally use. Is there any reason to remove the UV filter when using the polarizing filter since (supposedly) the Hoya UV filter is a very high quality filter? I've tried taking photos both with and without both filters on at the same time and honestly could not see any difference. Am I missing something?
For that matter, I don't see much difference in using or not using an UV filter. I live at about 600 feet above sea level and I don't think UV is that much of a factor.
Any suggestions?

IR Jim Loc: St. Louis

I use the same Hoya UV filter as a lens protector. Typically I can put my polarizer on top of it with no problems. However if there is a bright source of light in the frame you may get ghosting and will need to remove the UV filter to avoid it.

slyfoxdoc

IR Jim wrote:

I use the same Hoya UV filter as a lens protector. Typically I can put my polarizer on top of it with no problems. However if there is a bright source of light in the frame you may get ghosting and will need to remove the UV filter to avoid it.

Thanks!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

slyfoxdoc wrote:

Hello all... br This is my first post after readin... (show quote)

I use the same Hoya UV filter for protection, and I also use a polarizer on occasion, but I never use them together. I use the Xume magnetic adapter, so I just take the filter off and put another on. It takes less than a second.

http://www.xumeadapters.com/

slyfoxdoc

I never heard of that device. I will check it out. Thanks.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

slyfoxdoc wrote:

Hello all... br This is my first post after readin... (show quote)

Generally, you don't want to stack filters. Many of us here will tell you you don't need a UV filter at all but I'm not going to get into that here. By stacking you are increasing significantly the chance of severe vignetting and with two pieces of glass in front of the lens you are greatly increasing the impact of flare and light diffraction as light now has to travel through two flat pieces of glass before it gets to the lens. If you're happy with the arrangement I won't tell you to stop, but just because you haven't seen any impact as yet doesn't mean it won't be visible to others in various lighting conditions and apertures. It's not considered good practice.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

You can stack filters, but I wouldn't. The more glass you shoot through, the more distortion you could potentially have.

Ted Liette Loc: Greenville, Ohio

jerryc41 wrote:

I use the same Hoya UV filter for protection, and I also use a polarizer on occasion, but I never use them together. I use the Xume magnetic adapter, so I just take the filter off and put another on. It takes less than a second.

http://www.xumeadapters.com/

I agree with Jerry and the Xume adapters are top notch!

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

1philp Loc: Pacific Northwest

While it is very important to protect your lens, every photographer worth his salt knows the more you put in front of that lens detracts from the image. No one has yet to recommend the product that came with the camera lens and that is the lens cap.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

1philp wrote:

While it is very important to protect your lens, every photographer worth his salt knows the more you put in front of that lens detracts from the image. No one has yet to recommend the product that came with the camera lens and that is the lens cap.

I tried that, but you can't imagine what that practice put me through. Every time I put the camera up to my eye, Id hear a chorus of, "You have the lens cap on." Now I use a UV filter. The only time that causes a problem is when there are "photographers" around. "There's something stuck on the end of your lens." "Get that filter off your lens. It will move he photons out of their path of travel and cause imperceptible distortion that will be obvious when we enlarge the image and examne it under a magnifying glass." You know - comments like that.

1philp Loc: Pacific Northwest

I guess I should have added a caveat on my post. If youre around people or objects that are close to the field of vision, one should use some form of protection for the front of the lens. I sometimes forget that as landscape photographer, damage to the front of the lens is usually non-existent. That doesnt mean we dont drop the entire lens or camera but unfortunately a filter wont help that. I do use drop in filters on my 800mm. I guess Im from the old school.

jerryc41, I fully agree with your comment, in fact I look for your comments every time I sign on to the forum. Your comments are well thought out and very informative.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

1philp wrote:

I guess I should have added a caveat on my post. ... (show quote)

Wow! What a great way to begin the day. Thanks!