dfran wrote:
Thank you all for such speedy and informative replies. I will definitely use them as lens protectors. As far as the quality goes, they are Vivitar 58MM UV Filters, according to the boxes. Are the Good quality or Cheap ones.
Thanks again,
Don
Don, contrary to what others say, there is absolutely ZERO reason to use a UV filter on your lens.
NONE.
The cheap glass that filters are made of is NOT as hard or thick as the front element of your lens. In other words, it will provide NO protection to your lens... NONE.
So why do people use them?
Two reasons mainly; because they were SOLD to them by people in retail stores, and because it SEEMS like a common sense thing to do.
But those filters are NOT actually built to protect your lens from anything, let alone a physical threat capable of actually causing damage to your front element.
IF the threat is capable of causing damage to your front element, then that cheap, thin, flimsy UV filter WILL NOT STOP IT.
So, it doesn't help... but what's the harm in using a "protective" filter?
There is one HUGE reason why you should avoid UV and "protective" filters; THEY DEGRADE IMAGE QUALITY!
Any (and EVERY) time light passes from one medium to another, there is both Diffraction and Refraction. That's physics. Diffraction and Refraction in optics causes flaring, ghosting, and a subsequent loss in contrast... and while it can be minor at times, IT IS ALWAYS THERE.
So what are you supposed to do to protect your lens?
The BEST way to protect your front element is to use 3 things: 1) use your lens cap, keeping it on at ALL times and only removing it when you are ready to shoot; 2) use your lens hood... ALWAYS. Even indoors and at night. It does a MUCH better job of keeping stuff OFF your front element than that cheap glass, and not only does it NOT introduce flare, in fact, IT REDUCES IT! That's what they are designed for. ;)
And last but not least... 3) use common sense and protect your camera like the serious investment it is. This means DELIBERATELY protecting your lens; keeping it out of potentially dangerous situations and avoiding as many accidents as possible.
Don't waste your money OR image quality on UV or protective filters; they literally do more harm than good.
GOOD LUCK!