UV - ND or polarizer filter for sports: I've always just kept a UV filter on my lens for sports. Is that the best filter solution specifically for college soccer? I considered placing...

hj Loc: Florida

I've always just kept a UV filter on my lens for sports. Is that the best filter solution specifically for college soccer? I considered placing this post in the sports section, but I don't think many go there.

ken glanzer

Other than dust or being very close to action where things can fly what is the main purpose? ken 605 729 2077

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

ken glanzer wrote:

Other than dust or being very close to action where things can fly what is the main purpose? ken 605 729 2077

ND generally of no value.

The CPL may be of value for some reflections, but it is dependent upon the angle of the sun...loss of a stop as well.

hj Loc: Florida

I keep a UV filter on my lenses if for no other reason than protection. I'm asking if another filter option would give better image quality, color etc. I use this zoom lens strictly for soccer.

ken glanzer wrote:

Other than dust or being very close to action where things can fly what is the main purpose? ken 605 729 2077

hj Loc: Florida

Thanks for your reply. With no experience using a CPL I just felt it would be cumbersome rotating the filter constantly while shooting a game from one end of the field to the other.
Toward the sun, away from the sun etc. Am I right?

DaveO wrote:

ND generally of no value.

The CPL may be of value for some reflections, but it is dependent upon the angle of the sun...loss of a stop as well.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

hj wrote:

Thanks for your reply. With no experience using a CPL I just felt it would be cumbersome rotating the filter constantly while shooting a game from one end of the field to the other.
Toward the sun, away from the sun etc. Am I right?

Steve Perry did a pretty good video on the CPL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMOsBG2JaZY

What can be a pain is rotating the filter with a hood in place. Lens autofocusing without IF can be detrimental as well.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

hj wrote:

I've always just kept a UV filter on my lens for sports. Is that the best filter solution specifically for college soccer? I considered placing this post in the sports section, but I don't think many go there.

The only real purpose for using a UV filter is to keep dust off the lens or as some protection for the front lens element; for me it adds nothing but I always use a lens hood.

Neutral Density - counter productive unless you are trying for a shallow depth of field. My opinion that it would be next to useless.

Circular Polarizer - difficult to use quickly; so I consider a CPF as a hinderance for sports, not an asset.

My conclusion: for sports, don't use any filter but I always use a lens hood. If using an UV filter makes you feel better, use it.

hj Loc: Florida

DaveO - thanks.

hj Loc: Florida

Very helpful post. Pretty much what I'm thinking. Thanks.

LarryFB wrote:

The only real purpose for using a UV filter is to ... (show quote)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

hj wrote:

DaveO - thanks.

Hopefully you'll check out the link!

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I shoot sports a lot of soccer in FL. Honestly I should use my ND but I usually don’t.
My xdcam camcorder has a built in ND with different settings very useful.
I have broke a UV filter on a $1500 lens. Lens was fine.

hj Loc: Florida

DaveO, I did go back and found the youtube video to be excellent on CPL filters.

DaveO wrote:

Hopefully you'll check out the link!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

hj wrote:

DaveO, I did go back and found the youtube video to be excellent on CPL filters.

Very good! There are other useful videos on that site as well.

My grandkids soccer started up, so I'll be busy! Then it's on to basketball with poor lighting!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I use a UV filter 99% of the time. There are a few specific situations that warrant not using a filter. ND filters will result in either a larger aperture or a longer shutter speed. Neither of which you might want to use. Polarizers cut reflections and darken the sky, but the darkening is directional. So, the least obtrusive is UV.
--Bob

hj wrote:

I've always just kept a UV filter on my lens for sports. Is that the best filter solution specifically for college soccer? I considered placing this post in the sports section, but I don't think many go there.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

hj wrote:

I've always just kept a UV filter on my lens for sports. Is that the best filter solution specifically for college soccer? I considered placing this post in the sports section, but I don't think many go there.

Unless there is a lot of dust blowing around, I wouldn't bother. I prefer clear to UV.