UV Filter for my new lens: I recently bought a uv filter for my new lens. It is described as a "haze" filter. The actual title is: "B + W 77mm UV (Ultra Violet) Haze Glass Filter...

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

I recently bought a uv filter for my new lens. It is described as a "haze" filter. The actual title is: "B + W 77mm UV (Ultra Violet) Haze Glass Filter #010". Forgive my ignorance, but maybe I shouldn't have bought this? What is the "haze" all about?

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Haze (moisture in the air) scatters UV-light from the sun. A UV filter absorbs the slight blue tint caused by haze, before it reaches your camera sensor. Haze is why the Smokey Mountains are so named.

The main reason that I have a UV filter on all of my lenses is to protect my expensive lens front elements from contact with anything & everything. A scratched filter is so much cheaper and easier to replace than a scratched lens front element.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

quonnie wrote:

I recently bought a uv filter for my new lens. It is described as a "haze" filter. The actual title is: "B + W 77mm UV (Ultra Violet) Haze Glass Filter #010". Forgive my ignorance, but maybe I shouldn't have bought this? What is the "haze" all about?

I keep UV filters on my lenses for protection. They make very little difference to the quality of an image, but they don't help. If I am shooting something I consdier special, I'll remove the filter. You can also buy clear lens protectors.

Whether or not to use a UV filter is a controversial topic, as you will soon see. If you use it, consider it a line of defense against lens damage.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

thanks jerry. that's all i really bought it for was protection. i once dropped my d80 and cracked the uv filter but my lens was fine. i just didn't know what the "haze" thing was all about.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

quonnie wrote:

thanks jerry. that's all i really bought it for was protection. i once dropped my d80 and cracked the uv filter but my lens was fine. i just didn't know what the "haze" thing was all about.

Last month my son dropped his D40 and broke the filter, but the lens was OK.

Helge Loc: Sarnia, ON, Canada

UV Filters are also referred to as Haze Filters, called so in the days one used film, the Haze filter cut down on haze in your image especially when photographing landscapes, the effectiveness was mostly noticed when using transparency (Slide) film.

quonnie wrote:

I recently bought a uv filter for my new lens. It is described as a "haze" filter. The actual title is: "B + W 77mm UV (Ultra Violet) Haze Glass Filter #010". Forgive my ignorance, but maybe I shouldn't have bought this? What is the "haze" all about?

Helge Loc: Sarnia, ON, Canada

Helge wrote:

UV Filters are also referred to as Haze Filters, c... (show quote)

So keep the filter it will work fine

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

FYI: You can also purchase Neutral Color Filters that are clear and offer nothing other than lens protection.

al davis Loc: chesterfield virginia

Buying a uv haze for your lenses should be a common practice for your protection for your lenses.I have 5 lenses and all have uv haze filters on them for protection.You have gotten some good advice on this topic always cheaper to replace filter than lense.Good luck with your photography and keep shooting.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aldavisphotography/

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

jerryc41 wrote:

quote=quonnie I recently bought a uv filter for m... (show quote)

Jerry,

You failed to mention one thing. Don't buy a cheap filter! Cheap filters, some are just window glass, will often cause distortion and other problems. They can cause many more problems than they cure. The best lens protection you can get is a good lens hood! If you read some of the posts about protective filters you will see where some have broke and actually scratched the front lens. What kind of protection is that?

Often you see a free filter included with your new lens and it is worth what you are paying for, nothing!

Jim D

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

oldtool2 wrote:

quote=jerryc41 quote=quonnie I recently bought a... (show quote)

Good point. Until I got a couple of Marumi polarizers, I always bought cheaper name brand filters, rather than expensive name brand filters. I did several tests with and without them, and it was tough to see any difference. Maybe I was just lucky. Spending more for a UV doesn't guarantee good images. The filters I use now for protection were inexpensive, but they have little, if any, effect on the images. As I said above, for something important, I remove the filters.

As with everything else, I look for reviews and comparisons.

UV Filters
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8049091537/the-uv-filter

Filter test
http://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test.html

Filter Removal
Other ideas: rubber jar cap remover, filter wrench, the heel of a man's shoe, an electrical cord. You get the idea - you need a good gripper.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

jerryc41 wrote:

Filter Removal
Other ideas: rubber jar cap remover, filter wrench, the heel of a man's shoe, an electrical cord. You get the idea - you need a good gripper.

Ever notice that a good filter does not get stuck a often as a cheap one does? Its because of the metal used for the ring. Yes, it is a good idea to have a remover of some type with you. I often use a cheap rubber cap remover like the ones you can get at a dollar store. Those things like a round floppy 4 inch rubber to remove jar lids work well and can't hurt anything.

Jim D

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

oldtool2 wrote:

quote=jerryc41 Filter Removal br Other ideas: rub... (show quote)

That's one of my fears - getting a filter stuck on a lens. I don't tighten them, since I remove them often. The only stuck one is on the 18-70mm that my son dropped. The glass broke, and the ring is stuck on the lens. I haven't really worked on it yet. The lens is OK, except that it doesn't zoom - so it not really OK.

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

Think Trojans...and always practice safe photography. Although I often go bare back in the studio....

DougW Loc: SoCal

Try an 81a for protection and a very slight warming effect.