UV Filters: What are the benefits or non benefits of using a UV Filter. I have taken identical photo`s with the filter on and the filter off. Can`t seem to see any difference when...

lancewit Loc: Gold Coast Australia

What are the benefits or non benefits of using a UV Filter.
I have taken identical photo`s with the filter on and the filter off.
Can`t seem to see any difference when viewing my photo`s.
Help please.
Also, Thank you in anticipation for any replies.
Regards Lance Whittington.

scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

Did you adjust your filter?

lancewit wrote:

What are the benefits or non benefits of using a UV Filter.
I have taken identical photo`s with the filter on and the filter off.
Can`t seem to see any difference when viewing my photo`s.
Help please.
Also, Thank you in anticipation for any replies.
Regards Lance Whittington.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

I have a shoebox full of these, or at least it feels that way. Every time I get a lens off eBay it seems they come with one.
The only time I use one is shooting motocross or at the beach for huge wave (wind) shots.
I’ve never noticed an issue with one but have had issues with a polarizer when I messed up and left one on when I didn’t need it.
My philosophy: less glass is better.

Edit: probably shoulda mentioned I only use them to protect the front element from flying debris. I did buy one, thinking it was strictly a clear glass filter, but when I got it, it was uv. Don’t know if there’s a diff or not.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

BassmanBruce wrote:

I have a shoebox full of these, or at least it feels that way. Every time I get a lens off eBay it seems they come with one.
The only time I use one is shooting motocross or at the beach for huge wave (wind) shots.
I’ve never noticed an issue with one but have had issues with a polarizer when I messed up and left one on when I didn’t need it.
My philosophy: less glass is better.

A downside with using the UV filter is that every time you want to add a filter (for example, polarizer or ND), you have to first take the UV filter off.

timcc Loc: Virginia

The filter provides some measure of protection to the lens in conditions where ocean spray, heavy fog, sand, dust, or other air-borne material could damage the front element or possibly get inside the lens. The UV also may improve the image if you are taking photos at high altitude (some say above 5000 feet or so).

Otherwise, I shoot without a UV, even though I probably couldn't tell the difference in the final image.

I often use a polarizing filter and, as rook2c4 mentioned, having to remove a UV filter first is a bit of a pain, and may cause you to miss a shot.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

There have been a few UHH posts on this subject lately so you might want to search for them. As always here on UHH, there are people very passionate on both sides of the issue. Some swear they ruin your images. Some can't see the difference. Some never take them off in order to protect the much more expensive lens, ... . My experience is a good quality UV filter has a minimal impact on IQ and is a good way to protect the coating on your glass. Only take them off when you are changing them out for an ND filter or cir polarizer. Even if you don't like to use them, you definitely need them above about 5000'.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

timcc wrote:

The filter provides some measure of protection to ... (show quote)

A solution to the lens issues is, don't buy cheap lenses.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

lancewit wrote:

What are the benefits or non benefits of using a UV Filter.
I have taken identical photo`s with the filter on and the filter off.
Can`t seem to see any difference when viewing my photo`s.
Help please.
Also, Thank you in anticipation for any replies.
Regards Lance Whittington.

The only real benefit I can think of is they protect the front threads on a lens if the lens is dropped on a hard surface. I suggest you forgo the UV filter and don't drop your lenses.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

scooter1 wrote:

Did you adjust your filter?

What is there to adjust on a UV filter? Are you mixing 'adjustment' with a POLARIZING filter?

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

lancewit wrote:

What are the benefits or non benefits of using a UV Filter.
I have taken identical photo`s with the filter on and the filter off.
Can`t seem to see any difference when viewing my photo`s.
Help please.
Also, Thank you in anticipation for any replies.
Regards Lance Whittington.

Senors are relatively insensitive to UV and therefore not very useful below 5000' because most of the UV will have been absorbed by the atmosphere and dust. Above 5000' the UV filter starts becoming useful. The only other UV that it can cut out would be excess UV generated by flashes.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

lancewit wrote:

What are the benefits or non benefits of using a UV Filter.
I have taken identical photo`s with the filter on and the filter off.
Can`t seem to see any difference when viewing my photo`s.
Help please.
Also, Thank you in anticipation for any replies.
Regards Lance Whittington.

Unless you got to the atomic level or 50'x70' poster and look at it from 6" away you won't see any difference with a decent filter.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

lancewit wrote:

What are the benefits or non benefits of using a UV Filter.
I have taken identical photo`s with the filter on and the filter off.
Can`t seem to see any difference when viewing my photo`s.
Help please.
Also, Thank you in anticipation for any replies.
Regards Lance Whittington.

1. Their has not been a UV filter manufactured yet that IMPROVES image quality.
2. 99.9% of the lenses made do not come with UV filters, I wonder why lens manufactures don't include one, maybe they know something you should.
3. A lens hood provides the best protection for a lens and front element.
4. A UV filter does not prevent dust from reaching the front element of your lens, if you leave that front filter on and just clean the filter, dust WILL get on the front element and WILL degrade your images, and a residue will also form on the front element. You must take the UV filter off from time to time to clean your front element, so what is the point of putting it on.
5. In the winter when you go from a warm house to the cold outdoors, you will have to clean that filter cause condensation will form on it, but also, a little will form under the filter on your front element, how ever slight it will still degrade your images.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

With film it was a very good filter to use. It is not indispensable with digital.
Many people buy it as a "protection" for the lens.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Lance, I use UV filters on all of my lenses, most of the time. There are odd times when they can be a deterrent to obtaining the best image possible. They provide a level of protection for the front element of the lens. That said, when they are attacted to the front of the lens, they become part of the optical system of the camera. Therefore, pick the best, Shott glass, filters you can find.
--Bob

lancewit wrote:

What are the benefits or non benefits of using a UV Filter.
I have taken identical photo`s with the filter on and the filter off.
Can`t seem to see any difference when viewing my photo`s.
Help please.
Also, Thank you in anticipation for any replies.
Regards Lance Whittington.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

billnikon wrote:

1. Their has not been a UV filter manufactured yet... (show quote)