abraham.losa Loc: Miami FL

Hi everyone,does an UV filter on a lens may affect the image quality in some minimal degree,I’m using one just to protect the front elements of my lens,but I’m just curious ,quality glass is what determines the image quality of a lens,but Can the UV filter affect it in some way ??

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

This question comes up regularly. I am sure, given that you have been looking in on this site since 2016, you will have seen many answers to your own oft-repeated question. Possibly many answers will follow my post. I use one on most lenses . Have done since 1956.

abraham.losa Loc: Miami FL

If I’m asking it’s because I don’t know the answer,I don’t spend my whole day in the forum looking for every topic every day ,but anyways thanks to spend a minute of your time to tell me nothing,👍🏻

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Filters always affect the optical image. They are not a part of the lens design unless it is a drop-in filter. Having said that, the thinner and more optically flat filters affect the image very little. And it will affect wider angle lenses more in the corners. Will you easily see the differences? No except maybe in the wide angle lens's corners as chromatic aberration.

As far as UV goes, it has little to no effect below 5000' (unless you are shooting something being lighted by UV lighting). Digital sensors are relatively insensitive to UV. Most UV is absorbed by the atmosphere as it gets thicker. Below 5000', there is usually not enough left to affect the sensor very much.

A lot of people use UV filters as a proctective filter. Personally, I find a lens hood is a better front element protector and has no chance of affecting the lens's optical properties.

Stoshik Loc: Los Angeles, CA

When I start using SLRs back in the late 60s, someone told me to get a UV filter or a Skylight filter for my lenses. They weren't going to affect the quality of the photo as much as they would prevent the expensive lenses from scratching. "Scratch the filter," they all said, "not the lens." I've been using them ever since, with an occasional colored filter when I was shooting black and whites, to polarizers and the rare usage of neutral density filter. My lenses have stayed scratch free.
As to a direct answer to your question, I'm sure some 'geek' somewhere has tested the filter vs. the non filter image. I personally doubt that using a UV or skylight filter would have an effect that the naked eye could determine.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

For some, this site is their life. They think it should be yours also. A simple answer is beyond some of them.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Technically, yes. Whether or not you can notice, probably not.
Many people won't use them, many do.
I use either a 1A or UV to protect the front element of the lens. (Which is another controversial subject.)

DWHart24 Loc: Central Florida

I have never used a UV filter. Why put something on the front of piece of glass that you want to be as clear as possible. Always use a lens hood to protect the lens IMO.

abraham.losa Loc: Miami FL

Thanks everyone for the answers,very appreciated,have a wonderful day and happy shooting 👍🏻

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

As you already own a UV filter, why not just give it a try, with and without, and see the difference for yourself.

whwiden

No perceptable difference with a good quality uv filter. Some help reduce dust and fingerprints so perhaps a positive impact on image quality.

abraham.losa Loc: Miami FL

You’re so smart !!!!

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

I agree with you completely. The lens hood is for lens protection and the UV or clear glass filter should not be used for lens protection except in one case; in rain or snow. I would rather be constantly wiping moisture from the front of a clear filter (not UV) than the front element of my lens. Also, in rain or snow I use a rain cover for my camera and lens and a clear filter becomes part of the rain protection system.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Short answer - technically yes, an piece of glass introduced into the light path will have an effect - and cheap filters moreso than expensive filters.

Understand that while there are times when a clear filter (with digital cameras a UV per se is not needed since the chip is not that sensitive to UV frequencies, but clear glass is otherwise the same) can afford some protection (salt spray at the pier, mud kicked up from a motocross race, etc.) the real reason there is so much kerfuffle about using them as "protection" has far more to do with the economic reality that the profit margin on accessories like filters is far higher than for the pricey gear. When I managed a camera store in the 70's, the pitch about protection commonly used was to induce the customer to pay $20 for that filter (representing a $10 profit to the store) while buying that $300 camera (which might bring $15 profit to the store). Thus the myth that "you need a filter to protect your lens!" and the histrionics that follow when questions like this are posed here.

Again, in certain circumstances filters can offer protection, but generally speaking they don't help and can (not necessarily will) degrade the image (usually very slightly).

Let the histrionics begin!

abraham.losa Loc: Miami FL

Interesting response 👍🏻