In partial defense of protective filters
Nov 19, 2021 12:52:03 #
Not sure why we keep discussing this. It is a matter of personal preference. It is your Gear.
When I shot mostly in a Studio, I didn't use them.
Now I shoot mostly outdoors often near beaches & salt water so I have B&W's on all the lenses.
Canon Professional services points out that for many lenses, a filter is required to complete weather sealing.
So it makes sense to me and I do it.
If you choose not to, that's fine with me.
It's the Pictures that matter, if you get a great one, no one cares if you had a protective filter or you didn't.
When I shot mostly in a Studio, I didn't use them.
Now I shoot mostly outdoors often near beaches & salt water so I have B&W's on all the lenses.
Canon Professional services points out that for many lenses, a filter is required to complete weather sealing.
So it makes sense to me and I do it.
If you choose not to, that's fine with me.
It's the Pictures that matter, if you get a great one, no one cares if you had a protective filter or you didn't.
Nov 19, 2021 13:00:25 #
MJPerini wrote:
Not sure why we keep discussing this.
You need to ask yourself that question ... then enlighten us.
---
Nov 19, 2021 13:28:36 #
DirtFarmer wrote:
This opinion is based on Steve Perry's post in which he performs extreme tests of things hitting lenses with and without filters. (I emphasize here that this is my opinion. YMMV).
Yes! That's an excellent video.
I like to use a clear filter when it's windy, and stuff is blowing around. I'd rather have a filter get damaged than a lens.
Nov 19, 2021 13:28:39 #
lensmaster
Loc: Chicago
are you kidding????
glad to know you have nothing else to do in your life than spend time on this.
glad to know you have nothing else to do in your life than spend time on this.
Nov 19, 2021 14:03:18 #
lensmaster wrote:
are you kidding????
glad to know you have nothing else to do in your life than spend time on this.
glad to know you have nothing else to do in your life than spend time on this.
This is practice.
I did the experiment because I was curious about (1) the effect of filters; (2) whether I could get any numeric measurement of edge sharpness; and (3) to practice writing Python code, which I just learned in the last couple years.
I have lots of things to do but I consider coding practice valuable and I do have some spare time once in a while.
Nov 19, 2021 14:46:50 #
Dirt farmer: Good post. I agree that lens filters are good protection and cheaper than lenses. I use them on almost all of my lenses. I've broken only one filter and would have damaged or broken the lens. Here's what I do for protection:
I also use a lens cap with a lens leash that is permanently attached to the cap and the lens. I cut off the plastic disc on the end of the lens leash that is used to attach to the lens--it doesn't hold up . I drill a small diameter hole in the cap at the bottom. The small hole lets you thread the leash thread into the cap. Then you tie a double knot in the leash thread that keeps the leash from pulling out of the lens. Put the elastic of the leash on the lens. And you're good to go. This keeps the lens protected and clean. This has worked on 6 continents.
I also use a lens cap with a lens leash that is permanently attached to the cap and the lens. I cut off the plastic disc on the end of the lens leash that is used to attach to the lens--it doesn't hold up . I drill a small diameter hole in the cap at the bottom. The small hole lets you thread the leash thread into the cap. Then you tie a double knot in the leash thread that keeps the leash from pulling out of the lens. Put the elastic of the leash on the lens. And you're good to go. This keeps the lens protected and clean. This has worked on 6 continents.
Nov 19, 2021 15:22:29 #
I am not convinced that filters protect lenses from impacts. If an impact breaks your filter you have a lot of sharp pieces of filter sitting on your lens. You could see damage as a result of cleaning the splinters off the lens.
I am convinced that filters protect lenses from low energy environmental hazards like blowing sand and salt spray. Impacts are another class of damage. After all, an impact could damage the threads on the lens and filter making it difficult to get the broken filter off the lens.
I still believe that a good hood or a lens cap offers better protection against impacts than a filter.
BUT my study shows that a filter won't do significant damage to the image.
My study was not intended to encourage you to use a filter as all-purpose protection without other protective devices.
I am convinced that filters protect lenses from low energy environmental hazards like blowing sand and salt spray. Impacts are another class of damage. After all, an impact could damage the threads on the lens and filter making it difficult to get the broken filter off the lens.
I still believe that a good hood or a lens cap offers better protection against impacts than a filter.
BUT my study shows that a filter won't do significant damage to the image.
My study was not intended to encourage you to use a filter as all-purpose protection without other protective devices.
Nov 19, 2021 17:18:39 #
lensmaster wrote:
are you kidding????
glad to know you have nothing else to do in your life than spend time on this.
glad to know you have nothing else to do in your life than spend time on this.
Good manners never go out of style, and rudeness and snarky remarks are never appreciated by anyone on a forum.
Nov 19, 2021 17:20:41 #
mwsilvers wrote:
It stands for Your Mileage May Vary. It is intended to suggest that someone else's experience may differ from the person who uses that acronym.
Thank you for the answer. I know what the full version means, I was just stumped trying to figure out the acronym! (and I wish people would just write the full version, for those of us who are not so hip). Lol.
Nov 19, 2021 17:24:32 #
KindaSpikey wrote:
Thank you for the answer. I know what the full version means, I was just stumped trying to figure out the acronym! TYAFWIW!
I’m guessing it’s “thank you all for what it’s worth” (new one on me also)
Nov 19, 2021 17:25:44 #
TriX wrote:
I’m guessing it’s “thank you all for what it’s worth” (new one on me also)
LOL, well done.
Nov 19, 2021 17:40:56 #
TriX wrote:
I’m guessing it’s “thank you all for what it’s worth” (new one on me also)
My "translation" was "thank you and for what it's worth".
Nov 19, 2021 18:01:43 #
Sidwalkastronomy
Loc: New Jersey Shore
lensmaster wrote:
are you kidding????
glad to know you have nothing else to do in your life than spend time on this.
glad to know you have nothing else to do in your life than spend time on this.
Please explain the value of your post to the group, I'm at a lost to find any merit at all
Nov 19, 2021 19:43:00 #
Guys, chill.
If someone makes a snarky comment the best thing to do is ignore it. Sometimes people just had a bad day and it shows (it has happened to me too).
Many many many decades ago when I was in High School, we had an English teacher who taught us an old English poem. It was called "The lament of Deor" and was thought to have been written around 856 (my High School English class was much later than that). It was a list of people who endured misfortunes. The stanzas told of the misfortunes and ended with the refrain "Þæs ofereode, þisses swa mæg", which basically means "That passed away, so may this also". (The character "Þ" is called a thorn, and is pronounced "th". In later years it was written something like a y [which kind of looks like a thorn coming from a branch], and so when you see a sign that says Ye olde pub, it is pronounced "The old pub"). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deor)
Anyway, it has stuck with me, so if I run across something that doesn't quite sit right, I just remember that refrain and let it pass away.
If someone makes a snarky comment the best thing to do is ignore it. Sometimes people just had a bad day and it shows (it has happened to me too).
Many many many decades ago when I was in High School, we had an English teacher who taught us an old English poem. It was called "The lament of Deor" and was thought to have been written around 856 (my High School English class was much later than that). It was a list of people who endured misfortunes. The stanzas told of the misfortunes and ended with the refrain "Þæs ofereode, þisses swa mæg", which basically means "That passed away, so may this also". (The character "Þ" is called a thorn, and is pronounced "th". In later years it was written something like a y [which kind of looks like a thorn coming from a branch], and so when you see a sign that says Ye olde pub, it is pronounced "The old pub"). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deor)
Anyway, it has stuck with me, so if I run across something that doesn't quite sit right, I just remember that refrain and let it pass away.
Nov 19, 2021 21:10:06 #
DirtFarmer wrote:
Guys, chill. br If someone makes a snarky comment ... (show quote)
Thank you! You have just provided my "learn something new everyday". Next time I see "Ye Olde Pub" I will smile because I now know what it really is.
Dodie
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