Ugly Hedgehog Newsletter

Hi,

Just got a nikon d80 with tamron lens.
What kind of filter lens should I get, to protect my investment???

Thanks. Henri.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Typically people use a UV filter to prevent lens scratches or other damage. Usually these are sandwich glass/film/glass and so are like old auto safety glass and absorb a hit without flying apart. UV are not expensive and are standard stock.
Enjoy that new camera.

Anthony Charles Loc: Santa Maria

i PERSONALLY PREFER A LENS HOOD AS A FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

Randyb1969 Loc: Armpit of California

I agree with Anthony. Everything I've read actually goes against using a filter solely for protecting the lens. First off, lenses are surprisingly sturdy and as long as you're not banging it around a lot it will be fine. If you are banging it around a lot, the filter isn't going to help nearly as much as being more careful. Secondly, I've read every level of glass added to the front changes the quality of the photo so unless the filter is serving a purpose artistically, it's getting in the way.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I agree that each glass detracts, but how much, for most takes, not much.

The question asked was an IF I, THEN WHICH question. It appears that the writer wants to protect his lens.

I personally, and probably Henri, would much rather wipe off dirt, or lens coating etching baby spit finger print, in the field from a filter than chance my lens -- once the D-80 lens is damaged then ouch $ tragic,,, if filter is damaged then throw it over your left shoulder and put on a new one.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

I humbly disagree. The UV filter DOES have a purpose and you could call it artistic if you want. It filters UV and under close scrutiny you can see the effect in an A-B comparison. The UV filtered result has a cleaner crisper look by removing a certain haze that is UV related and colors seem more saturated and pure. I've kept one on every lens of every film and digital camera I've owned since the 1970s.

Secondly, I'd rather have a thrown baby toy, golf ball, burning ash from a nearby bonfire, or somebody knocking over a light stand hit a UV filter than the front glass of my lens any day of the week compared to what a minimalist might think is a possible, but never proven, negative effect of a UV filter. Twice I've had a UV filter ring hit and the outer threads were bent enough so nothing else could be screwed into it. If that was my lens threads instead, that could have been fatal or I couldn't use "artistic" filters ever again. With a UV filter it was $5.00 to replace it.

brandy sanders Loc: louisiana

i shoot thru fences alot for baseball and to shoot without the fence in the shot you have to put it against the fence. i did buy a u v filter and it has saved my len.

Johnny Loc: Shreveport, La

I actually dropped my brand new 50D and had a 18-200 lense on it as my strap got hung and yanked it out of my hand inevitably it is going to fall lense first and did. When I picked it up it was cracked like a car window and I had a deep pit in my stomach. As I further investigated the situation and painfully removing the damaged filter by sawing it in half as I couldn't unscrew it. I realized it had only damaged my filter. Needless to say I own lots of filters and will never not have that protection on my lenses. I have learned through my own recklessness any filter is better than non at all. FILTER UP GUYS

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Well, I am not alone in liking the world of filters;glad to see that. I standardized on 58mm for my Fuji-9000, Kodak z15-10 (hot glued a ring to the lens body ) and even adapted filters, and additional lenses to my Panasonic (glued to my hip) TZ-3. Oops, for got to mention my Canon G-2 that I converted to IR. E-Bay filter prices are right (low) and delivery from China has been fast and usually free !!!

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

One of the "uglyhedgehog" supporting ads above is quite a good source of information on filters. Check it out.
http://www.singh-ray.com

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

You seem to be quite liberal with your glue. Isn't it hard to see the viewfinder with the Panasonic glued to your hip?

:lol:

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Indeed hard to see glued to the hip, in fact, screens are not good at all in the sunny out of doors. The Fuji and Kodak both have eye view as well as screen. If I were to design a digital camera, I would keep the screen only for menu. The ideal would be like the basic 35mm I had; focus ring, ring for f and a knob for speed and ISO, needle for amount of light ,,, like the old Pentax K-1000. What do you think?

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

I think that with that mindset we'd be sending Selectric typed messages to each other by USPS mail to have this forum!

:wink: