Photog8 wrote:
Yeah, a UV filter was almost standard on the film cameras...but I have seen many pro/con (mostly con) discussions here on their use with digital. I use a rubber hood on all my lenses that seem to absorb those annoying bumps that always seem to happen. I pocket my lens caps as soon as I remove them...don't like things swinging in the breeze off my camera. ;-)
I too received a new Canon t3i from my children last year for Christmas and I love it! I always have some kind of filter on my lens, to protect it or to take a better picture. Some people argue against the use of filters but I guess I'm on the other side of the fence. Please do your research to make up your own mind and you'll get plenty of help here on UHH. And happy holidays!