Lens filters or not
Sep 28, 2017 08:39:48 #
Hi all,
Have a new lens on order. The salesman has recommended a UV filter to protect the lens (at a not insignificant price...). I returned home and did some research, and have found that opinions vary. On the one hand, yes, filters protect the lenses. On the other, the filters themselves can become scratched or dirty and degrade image quality. (I could add more, but the opinions seem to fall largely into these two camps.
So, my question to the UHH community is, do you recommend using a filter or not? If so, what (apparently modern digital cameras have UV sensors in front of the screen, so a UV filter is largely redundant on these...)? If I'm going to buy one, I wouldn't want to put an inferior filter in front of good glass.
Thanks for your opinions.
Have a new lens on order. The salesman has recommended a UV filter to protect the lens (at a not insignificant price...). I returned home and did some research, and have found that opinions vary. On the one hand, yes, filters protect the lenses. On the other, the filters themselves can become scratched or dirty and degrade image quality. (I could add more, but the opinions seem to fall largely into these two camps.
So, my question to the UHH community is, do you recommend using a filter or not? If so, what (apparently modern digital cameras have UV sensors in front of the screen, so a UV filter is largely redundant on these...)? If I'm going to buy one, I wouldn't want to put an inferior filter in front of good glass.
Thanks for your opinions.
Sep 28, 2017 08:46:00 #
It has become customary to buy UV filters for front lens "protection." It has been profitable for camera dealers. I have been photographing for over 50 years and I NEVER used one and even lenses from the mid sixties that I own still do a great job and the glass is intact without the so called "protective filter." I use the lens cap and a lens shade.
Yes, using the UV filter today could be redundant. UV filters tend to imitate Skylight filters.
Yes, using the UV filter today could be redundant. UV filters tend to imitate Skylight filters.
Sep 28, 2017 08:48:24 #
I think it boils down to what you would rather have - a lens with a little protection or a lens that can preform at it's best abilities.
Personally, I choose the latter. I need all the help I can get :)
Personally, I choose the latter. I need all the help I can get :)
Sep 28, 2017 08:56:21 #
I only use filters when I have a specific purpose. Neutral Density filters, split screen, and polarizing are the most used for me with an occasional star filter at night for the lighting effect. Other than that I think that the rest are a waste. Keep your lens shade on all the time and it will take care of your lens. That and a little care on your part that is. Hope this helped a little.
Sep 28, 2017 08:58:27 #
Although I try to be very careful with my equipment, I still use a filter to protect the lens. I also agree that a cheap filter in front of good glass does not make any sense to me. I'm a real fan of Breakthrough Photography filters (https://breakthrough.photography/products/x4-uv?variant=31478833169), not cheap by any means, $99 for a 77mm UV, but I think their quality is outstanding.
I'm sure you're going to get a ton of varied opinions on this one :)
I'm sure you're going to get a ton of varied opinions on this one :)
Sep 28, 2017 08:58:29 #
As you know, UV filters are not needed on a digital camera. They do protect the threads at the front of the lens. They offer little protection to the glass other than maybe finger prints or getting splashed. If you were to drop the camera straight down onto something protruding, the glass filter will break and most likely the lens front element will take some damage as well, so don't do that. A good hood also offers protection. I personally never shoot with a UV or protective filter but I always have the hood on.
Sep 28, 2017 08:59:29 #
So if something scratched the surface of your filter, wouldn't that same something have scratched the surface of your lens? Which would be more frustrating?
Did you try the search function here on the site? You're not the first, rather more like the 10,000th person to ask this age-old question ... If your sales person suggested a B+W or Hoya and a clear rather than UV, they probably know what they're talking about.
Did you try the search function here on the site? You're not the first, rather more like the 10,000th person to ask this age-old question ... If your sales person suggested a B+W or Hoya and a clear rather than UV, they probably know what they're talking about.
Sep 28, 2017 09:03:06 #
A UV or clear optical glass filter on your lens does protect the lens to some degree. Any dust, dirt, debris, or moisture will be on the filter and not on your lens. I would rather clean the front surface of a filter than the front surface of an expensive lens in the field. The filter may or may not degrade your photo quality an insignificant amount but it probably won't ever be noticeable to the average person. Others will disagree as you will see by reviewing several other threads on the forum regarding filters. I use mostly B&W UV filters on all my lenses. They are not expensive. A 52mm B&W UV filter made of quality German optical glass with brass threads runs around $17. A small price to pay for the protection it provides.
Sep 28, 2017 09:07:35 #
I haven't used "protective filters since I first started with 35mm SLR's in the late 60's. They will "protect" against certain hazards (kids oily fingers) but offer little in the way of "protection" for anything major. As you have found, the better ones are not cheap as they need to be multicoated to minimize ghosting et al & the cost to replace them needs to be a consideration. Most scratches on the front lens won't even be noticed in an image (see attached link).Look at the Mirror lenses which have that huge black plastic disk in the middle of the front element. That doesn't show in the image. Light rays will bend around any imperfection in the front element. It's the rear element that one has to not damage as damage to it will be visible in the resultant image. Better to use the lens cap & lens hood for protection & have insurance on your gear. That said, many people do use them & if you are a klutz, by all means, get one. The major benefit is the resale value of a lens. It's worth more if there is no damage to the front element.
http://kurtmunger.com/dirty_lens_articleid35.html
http://kurtmunger.com/dirty_lens_articleid35.html
Sep 28, 2017 09:09:40 #
There is no right answer to this question. Putting aside the questionable protection from the rarer events like bumps, branches, rocks, etc, from a theoretical perspective, a filter will keep dust and fingerprints off the front element of the lens, thereby reducing the number of times you would be cleaning that front element. Also from a theoretical perspective, a filter will degrade the image quality to "some degree" because it is yet another air/glass interface that is probably optically inferior to those inside the lens. It can also create flare under certain lighting conditions.
YOUR job is to determine whether that image degradation is objectionable to you in your shooting situations (lens, camera, subjects, viewing preferences [as in screen or print], etc). Get the filter and do a few careful tests for yourself. And don't forget that you can always remove that filter for a really important shot.
YOUR job is to determine whether that image degradation is objectionable to you in your shooting situations (lens, camera, subjects, viewing preferences [as in screen or print], etc). Get the filter and do a few careful tests for yourself. And don't forget that you can always remove that filter for a really important shot.
Sep 28, 2017 09:27:44 #
I joined the lens shade and lens cap group about a year ago, tho I still own and use some filters. /Ralph
Sep 28, 2017 13:33:37 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Did you try the search function here on the site? You're not the first, rather more like the 10,000th person to ask this age-old question
Hello Hank,
I see you're a new user, welcome to the forum. Like anything new, it'll probably take you some time to find your way around. One thing you'll probably find helpful as you explore the forum is the search function: if you type in lens filters, you'll find a couple of discussions on this; here is one: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-56748-1.html. There are some others as well.
In my experience, one way to think about it is, if something scratched the surface of your filter, wouldn't that same something have scratched the surface of your lens? Which would be more frustrating? If your sales person suggested a B+W or Hoya and a clear rather than UV, they probably know what they're talking about.
________
Thank you, CHG-CANON for your input. - Hank
Sep 28, 2017 23:46:50 #
As I use my lens cap extensively - I remove it from the lens right before taking a picture, put it back on immediately after - I have little use for a UV filter. But many people seem to hate handling lens caps for some reason; I suppose using a protective filter as substitute makes sense in such case.
Sep 29, 2017 05:51:55 #
Hank Radt wrote:
Hi all, br br Have a new lens on order. The sales... (show quote)
I use clear Hoya filters for general, light protection - dirt, sand, fingerprints - and I attach them with Xume magnetic filters. I can have them on and off in less than a second. I haven't been able to tell the difference between shots with and without the filters, but I'll take it off for what I think might be a good shot.
Sep 29, 2017 05:58:54 #
Hank Radt wrote:
Hi all, br br Have a new lens on order. The sales... (show quote)
As you said - opinions vary. Also, opinions are like a##holes - everybody has one. Ask yourself if you rather scratch a filter or your lens. Then ask yourself if your eye is really refined enough to be able to tell the difference between a shot with a filter and without a filter.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.