"Leave on" UV filter: I've seen a lot of arguments for leaving a UV or clear filter on your lens to protect it. I do that and most of the time it is fine. But today when taking...

splatbass Loc: Honolulu

I've seen a lot of arguments for leaving a UV or clear filter on your lens to protect it. I do that and most of the time it is fine. But today when taking pictures of a White Tern I found an angle that created a lot of glare that went away when I took the filter off. These are the before and after. I think I'll leave it off now.

(Download)

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Absolutely

Einreb92 Loc: Philadelphia

I was told to eliminate anything between the subject and the sensor that is not necessary. I was also told to keep the hood on as it is a very good method of protecting the glass and shielding the lens from stray light rays. Just passing along what I was told and practice. Interesting bird!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You might review and otherwise consider the 1-stop+ difference in your shooting parameters as the source of the differences in these two examples.

splatbass Loc: Honolulu

CHG_CANON wrote:

You might review and otherwise consider the 1-stop+ difference in your shooting parameters as the source of the differences in these two examples.

That is a good point, I must have accidentally changed the shutter speed when I removed the filter. I don't believe this is the cause however, since it looked this way in the viewfinder with the aperature wide open and no shutter speed or ISO involvement.

Silverrails

jeep_daddy wrote:

Absolutely

Wow, Stunning difference indeed!
What about using a Lens hood to both protect your lens and help with any Lens flare?

Bill_de Loc: US

There are situations where a filter can be a hindrance. The quality of the filter can also make a difference.

What brand filter did you have on the lens.

Glad you knew enough to take the filter off and shoot again. Nice one!

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mborn Loc: Massachusetts

No filter on the lens except a polarizing or ND when needed for the shot

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

splatbass wrote:

I've seen a lot of arguments for leaving a UV or clear filter on your lens to protect it. I do that and most of the time it is fine. But today when taking pictures of a White Tern I found an angle that created a lot of glare that went away when I took the filter off. These are the before and after. I think I'll leave it off now.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH. The debate will rage for ever and opinion's will fly.
My lens hoods have been my only protection for over 50 years of award winning photography. I also carry a rider on my insurance policy for pennies on the hundred dollars for piece of mind.

aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Bill_de wrote:

... What brand filter did you have on the lens. ...

Good question. Not all filters are equal.

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

billnikon wrote:

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH. The debate will rage for ever and opinion's will fly.
My lens hoods have been my only protection for over 50 years of award winning photography. I also carry a rider on my insurance policy for pennies on the hundred dollars for piece of mind.

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I too - Only use a "Lens Hood".

And I do carry filters. However - I do NOT see any true "protection" with the use of a UV-filter.

=0=

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

splatbass wrote:

I've seen a lot of arguments for leaving a UV or clear filter on your lens to protect it. I do that and most of the time it is fine. But today when taking pictures of a White Tern I found an angle that created a lot of glare that went away when I took the filter off. These are the before and after. I think I'll leave it off now.

Been saying this for years! Just use a good lens hood... bwa

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Einreb92 wrote:

I was told to eliminate anything between the subject and the sensor that is not necessary. I was also told to keep the hood on as it is a very good method of protecting the glass and shielding the lens from stray light rays. Just passing along what I was told and practice. Interesting bird!

Great advise! Whoever gave you that advice did you a great favor. Sometimes it is unavoidable like when one needs a polarizer or a neutral density filter. But why take anything away from a lens' quality, even if it is barely discernible, if one doesn't have to.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm sure that's an extreme example, but there is no advantage to using a UV filter rather than a clear filter. A lens hood is also good. A Xume magnetic adapter will let have the filter on or off in less than a second.

splatbass Loc: Honolulu

Bill_de wrote:

There are situations where a filter can be a hindrance. The quality of the filter can also make a difference.

What brand filter did you have on the lens.

Glad you knew enough to take the filter off and shoot again. Nice one!

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It is a B+W filter.