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It seems simple....
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Mar 22, 2019 06:33:14   #
par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.
 
Eyeman wrote:
Hello gang... I am a long-time UH stalker that finally would like a group response. We were burned out in the northern California Camp fire, and I am slowly rebuilding my gear, hence the excuse for 'replacing' my camera :>). For years I used a UV filter to protect my lenses from mechanical damage until a pro whom I respect said 'oh no.. that degrades your images'. But now with two shiny new lenses, how much really do I need to worry about that ? Thanks for your responses in advance !!


It is simple! Use your filter as a lens cap, much less dust that way, help reduce lens cleaning also. Keep it on to shoot in harsh conditions and for unimportant work, take it of when the work is important to you.

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Mar 22, 2019 07:02:25   #
foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC
 
the only filter I EVER use is a polarizing filter. Using a UV filter is like shooting all your shots thru the living room window. I have never damage any of the lenses I've owned in 45 years of photography. Simply treat your lenses like the valuable piece of equipment they are. If you're careless, put 2 or 3 filters on if that makes you feel better. LOL






Eyeman wrote:
Hello gang... I am a long-time UH stalker that finally would like a group response. We were burned out in the northern California Camp fire, and I am slowly rebuilding my gear, hence the excuse for 'replacing' my camera :>). For years I used a UV filter to protect my lenses from mechanical damage until a pro whom I respect said 'oh no.. that degrades your images'. But now with two shiny new lenses, how much really do I need to worry about that ? Thanks for your responses in advance !!

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Mar 22, 2019 07:09:57   #
dave.m
 
I have had 2 filters broken when using on the lens. I couldn't use the lens till I got home as it was 'sprayed' with super fine glass dust and could only be cleaned with a blower. In both cases the lens was fine.

I carry, but only fit filters for protection when I think its necessary - such as bad weather or crowds.

almost all my lenses are 77mm filters and since then I have bought the Sigma ceramic protector filter. Compared with glass this seems almost unbreakable. Its water clear so minimal impact on image colour and no discernible distortion that i can see even at 1:1 on a 23" monitor.

They are not cheap but I have dropped a camera with 100-400 lens fitted after being barged in the back at an airshow. The filter ring was bent but the ceramic filter was untouched, and most importantly, the camera and lens had no damage external or internal at all. Price of filter seems a bargain now :)

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Mar 22, 2019 07:54:13   #
kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy
 
foathog wrote:
the only filter I EVER use is a polarizing filter. Using a UV filter is like shooting all your shots thru the living room window. I have never damage any of the lenses I've owned in 45 years of photography. Simply treat your lenses like the valuable piece of equipment they are. If you're careless, put 2 or 3 filters on if that makes you feel better. LOL


Actually untrue. There is a world of difference between optically flat glass and the kind you put in a window sill. It's really very some: put your camera on a tripod and shoot the same scene with and without a filter. Then put the two images side by side at 100% in Photoshop and compare. Better yet do it double-blind: have a friend choose at random and see if you can tell the difference. And if you can't, what is the point of not protecting your expensive glass? Try it instead of repeating what others say without finding out for yourself.

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Mar 22, 2019 08:15:42   #
awis01
 
Eyeman wrote:
Wow...thanks to all... all good answers too... I have also never in decades bashed by lens directly, which leads me in the direction of no filter... and careful cleaning of the dust that coats all of us as we wander :>). How do y'all do that ?


Rocket Blower. If need be I also carry a Lens Pen (which I haven't used yet)

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Mar 22, 2019 08:27:44   #
rond-photography Loc: Connecticut
 
Eyeman wrote:
Hello gang... I am a long-time UH stalker that finally would like a group response. We were burned out in the northern California Camp fire, and I am slowly rebuilding my gear, hence the excuse for 'replacing' my camera :>). For years I used a UV filter to protect my lenses from mechanical damage until a pro whom I respect said 'oh no.. that degrades your images'. But now with two shiny new lenses, how much really do I need to worry about that ? Thanks for your responses in advance !!


Since I watched a video from a famous photographer (I think it was Bill Fortney), I have followed his advice and just make sure my lens shade is attached or extended. It has worked well.

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Mar 22, 2019 08:34:45   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
rond-photography wrote:
Since I watched a video from a famous photographer (I think it was Bill Fortney), I have followed his advice and just make sure my lens shade is attached or extended. It has worked well.


What will you do if you come across a video from a more famous photographer who uses filters?

--

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Mar 22, 2019 08:41:38   #
Silverman Loc: Michigan
 
Eyeman wrote:
Hello gang... I am a long-time UH stalker that finally would like a group response. We were burned out in the northern California Camp fire, and I am slowly rebuilding my gear, hence the excuse for 'replacing' my camera :>). For years I used a UV filter to protect my lenses from mechanical damage until a pro whom I respect said 'oh no.. that degrades your images'. But now with two shiny new lenses, how much really do I need to worry about that ? Thanks for your responses in advance !!


Well, personal decision indeed. But personally I use a Lens Cap and the appropriate sized Lens Hood for whatever Lens I am presently using on my Nikon D3300. I carry a Polarizing filter for my 67mm 18-140 lens, for
those special moments when "Glare" is a concern.

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Mar 22, 2019 08:46:37   #
kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy
 
https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2017/06/the-comprehensive-ranking-of-the-major-uv-filters-on-the-market/

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Mar 22, 2019 08:57:25   #
rond-photography Loc: Connecticut
 
Bill_de wrote:
What will you do if you come across a video from a more famous photographer who uses filters?

--


Keep doing what I am doing. I never saw an advantage to the filters and had not been using one. Now I have an opinion of someone who shoots much more than me that my feeling toward filters is ok.

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Mar 22, 2019 08:57:47   #
lamontcranston
 
I love these posts. Everyone has their own perspective and they all have valid points. I have done the "filter on/filter off" tests and see no significant degradation of image quality with a good filter on the lens. I would much rather clean an inexpensive filter from a reliable manufacturer than take a chance cleaning an expensive lens and scratching it or damaging the coating on the lens. Every time I buy a new lens, I purchase a new B&W clear or UV filter for the lens and never remove it. For me, it all about piece of mind. With all the dust, dirt, moisture, pollen, and other nasty particles in the air, I sleep better with a filter covering the front element of my prize lens.

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Mar 22, 2019 09:01:58   #
OllieFCR
 
For me the main purpose of a clear filter is to protect from dirt, dust, salt spray, etc., and to make cleaning the front element a lot easier. Any soft cloth or even kleenex will suffice without risking your lens surface. Severe impact will probably damage the lens with or without a filter, been there done that. I have yet to see an actual post where a degradation of image is clearly obvious using a high quality filter.

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Mar 22, 2019 09:12:29   #
Charlie C Loc: North Liberty, IA
 
While sitting at the end of a table that had square, sharp corners while photographing a show at a night club I noticed glass on the floor and some on the table at the corner. I thought my beverage glass broke or dish shattered. After checking everything I saw my $100 clear filter had smashed against the pointed corner at an earlier time when I leaned forward with my camera hanging from the strap around my neck. The lens was a $2800 Nikon 70-200 f2.8E just a few months old. Do you think I'm convinced one should use protection?!
If you do use a filter of sorts use the best you can buy. After comparing with and without at 100% view in PS I saw no difference in image quality. I am very fussy about images being sharp.

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Mar 22, 2019 09:56:26   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
Charlie C wrote:
While sitting at the end of a table that had square, sharp corners while photographing a show at a night club I noticed glass on the floor and some on the table at the corner. I thought my beverage glass broke or dish shattered. After checking everything I saw my $100 clear filter had smashed against the pointed corner at an earlier time when I leaned forward with my camera hanging from the strap around my neck. The lens was a $2800 Nikon 70-200 f2.8E just a few months old. Do you think I'm convinced one should use protection?!
If you do use a filter of sorts use the best you can buy. After comparing with and without at 100% view in PS I saw no difference in image quality. I am very fussy about images being sharp.
While sitting at the end of a table that had squar... (show quote)


This comes under the category of user error. I do not allow my camera to hang from a strap around my neck. It's prone to bump into things that way. Many years ago I took the strap off. I hold the camera in my hand. When I need both hands I either put the camera down or place it in the crook of my left arm and press it against my side.

I have no problem holding my camera in my hand. For large lenses I hold the lens foot, which is a fairly good handle. I have never dropped my camera doing this. My camera has only hit the ground once, it was on a tripod that was blown over by a gust of wind. The lens hood prevented any damage to the lens (the camera hit the ground lens down).

As I have stated above, the only time I use a protective filter is in response to environmental hazards such as salt spray, blowing sand, flying mud, or such things.

This is my opinion and I feel free to express it. YMMV and you are free to set out your own opinions for people to evaluate.

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Mar 22, 2019 10:42:50   #
Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb
 
I have been a serious photographer since the early 1950s and till 2 years ago I had the camera knocked out of my hand and broke mr lens shade and filter. I was out of the country but was able to continue with my only concern was flair from lack of sun shade and care not to scratch my lens.

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