Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

It seems every few months there is a five to ten page discussion about using either a filter or a lens shade to protect a lens. Story: While at the Philadelphia Flower show this spring I had changed lenses from my 70-200 2.8 to a macro lens. I hoisted the backpack up on my shoulder and heard a terrible crash. Everyone for 20 or so feet stopped and looked around. I didn't know what had happened. I looked around and saw my 70-200 rolling across the convention center floor! I was sure I would be picking it up and see shattered glass, bent metal, etc. Well, the lens was in perfect shape! The lens shade which was mounted in reverse was split down the middle. The shade breaking took all the energy out of the fall and saved the lens! So all you shooters out there that think you are protected using a filter, don't discount the shade as a layer of protection as well. I still use filters but will always make sure I have my lens shade on as well, in the use orientation, or in the storage position.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Thank you for sharing. S-

wolfiebear Loc: 10,200 elev. in the Rockies

Wiw!
Sound advice from personal experience!

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Protecting the lens is really a collateral duty for the lens shade. It is meant to reduce lens flare and should always be used.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Since we are all different we all have our own opinions about "protection."
UV filters have always been used for "protection" if by protection it is understood to put a finger on the lens surface. Camera dealers have made a good amount of money selling UV filters for "protection." I prefer the lens cap.
You were lucky that your 70-200 did not suffer more damage, perhaps it did and you do not know but a lens falling to a hard surface lacks protection regardless of what is done using a filter or a lens shade.
In my more than 50 years photographing I have never used a filter for "protection" and a lens shade in use has been my practice all of those years. Careful handling of the lenses has been my best protection.
Always stop what you are doing to change lenses and do not handle both lenses at the same time because accidents happen.
If you are careful you do not need "protection". I have not in all of those 50 years.

Italianbigmouth

I was in Venice, and had my D5200 around the chair by its strap (Fools are born one every second .... mea culpa!) a waiter brushed his body around the chair and the Nikon fell 2' on the marble floor: the UV filter shattered and, Thanks be to God, the Nikon was in perfect order and functioning very well! I just bought a new filter and I used it happily until I exchanged with a D5300 which is an enormous improvement... naturally protected by a filter and a reverse hood. As they saying goes: SUGAR HAPPENS, so beware!

Italianbigmouth

Oops... Sugar Happens ... Ugly typo in my answer: it is a NIKON D5300 and NOT D5200 ... lol

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

Forty Years ago in my film days there was another protection, a metal lens cap.

All of my lenses had one. It was a bit of a pain in that you had to unscrew it on the filter thread rather than just pop it off. However the protection it offered was incredible.

I dropped my fifty one day in the seventies. It bounced off a few large rocks before finally settling down. To my amazement the only damage was a scratch on the lens cap.

Alas I've not found them anywhere since those days.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks for that testimonial. I use a shade and a clear filter.

blankmange Loc: down on the farm...

B&H sells them, in multiple sizes:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?N=10806923&InitialSearch=yes&sts=pi

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

In my opinion filters for protection are a SLR thing, left over from non-digital age. With the lens coatings manufactures use these days, it just does not make sense to put a cheep piece of glass in front of my good glass. But these filter makers have to try to sell them to stay in business, so they sell them as if they were a condom. If you are careful you don't need protection, and lens hoods offer just as much protection as a filter
if not more. Bonus, they come with your lenses.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You can have both screw-in metal and convenience. Look at the Xume magnetic filter adapters.

http://www.xumeadapters.com/

Dan Mc Loc: NM

Well, when I was 41 years old, I didn't use protection once....the result just finished grad school and I walked her down the aisle!! ;-0

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Always stop what you are doing to change lenses and do not handle both lenses at the same time because accidents happen.
If you are careful you do not need "protection". I have not in all of those 50 years.[/quote]

And I've know people who have worked 50 years and not missed a single day of work due to sickness. You are the exception not the rule. Yes, being careful is warranted when handling expensive equipment, but accidents can and do happen. It is much better to prepare for such rather than have an expectation of never having an accident because you are always careful. I never handle two lenses at the same time for the reason you gave. The lens had been packed away but I did something I know now I won't do again. Some backpacks have an upper compartment that has two zippers. I often zip them both up to the center position. I had noticed at times they would open up somewhat but not a lot. I guess the heavy lens falling against the zipper opened it up enough for the lens to slip through. Now I bring the zipper all the way across the track -- up, over, and down the other side. It makes for a better closure.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Yea, but metal protection went out with the middle ages!