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UV Filter for Protection
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I have a 28-135mm lens I use all the time. I have a cheap 7dayshop filter that I have stopped using because I thought it might be causing a dull look to my pictures. I need to test this to make sure. I have been advised to get a good uv filter for my lens protection. Firstly – Should I be using a uv filter as lens protection?(hope I don’t cause an argument :wink: ). Secondly – What brands should I be looking at or is there much difference between my cheapy ones and the more expensive? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
I have never bothered with UV filters are any of that nonsense in the last 11 years of taking photos and have never damaged the front lens element. Total waste of money in my opinion and just a way of the camera shop squeezing a few extra euro out of you.
The only time I might use a UV or skylight filter is when in a boat or something and there is allot of spray from the water getting on the lens….
M
Thanks Martin, was ordering some Christmas presents online for myself and wondering should I add a uv filter to the mix. I guess I will just use the cheapy on my lens if there is a risk of damage
Martin, you can use these to protect the lens incase you might want to sell the lense on afterwards, also as a form of dust/dirt protection. As to if they’re a waste of money, I don’t think so, better safe then sorry.
I have a UV filter on the front of most of my lenses. Better scratch a filter than lens glass. Also, they protect from dirt and in some cases are required for full weather proofing the lens.
But, I wouldn’t put a cheap UV filter in front of a quality lens since it can degrade the quality of the image.
To protect your lens from dirt or dust keep your lenses clean by cleaning them very regularly with a good cloth. Look after them by keeping them in proper cases/camera bags etc when not in use. When holding the camera over your shoulder on a strap hold it so that the lens is facing down. Keep the lens hood on the lens as the hood can take allot of the impact if the lens falls to the ground when the lens is facing down.
There is no guarantee that the front lens element will not get broken even if you have a UV filter on. I have seen cases where a UV filter got broken but so did also the front lens element. UV filter glass is very thin, not much protection really or strength in them, a deep hood will absorb more of the impact or prevent the front lens element from getting scratched against a wall or something. Some brads of UV filters can degrade lens performance and also increase flare sometimes. Its a personal thing if you want to use them or not. For me I think they give a false sense of security
M
I don’t bother with them either, I’d be with Martin all the way. I did get one with my Sigma wideangle (a Sigma branded one) and used it for a while, but the filter is just a muck magnet. I spent all my time cleaning the filter (and once it had got a bit of grime on it, it was keen on holding on tightly) so I eventually stopped using it. I always keep the both lens caps on when the lens is off the camera, and the hood on otherwise. When shooting on the coast, more often than not I’ll have a polariser on anyway which protects from spray
John
paul wrote:
But, I wouldn’t put a cheap UV filter in front of a quality lens since it can degrade the quality of the image.
I’ve yet to see someone prove that. Anyone…??
Martin wrote:
To protect your lens from dirt or dust keep your lenses clean by cleaning them very regularly with a good cloth. Look after them by keeping them in proper cases/camera bags etc when not in use. When holding the camera over your shoulder on a strap hold it so that the lens is facing down. Keep the lens hood on the lens as the hood can take allot of the impact if the lens falls to the ground when the lens is facing down.
Good tips Martin-
However, one other way to keep your equipment clean is to totally immerse it in any convenient mountain stream-
surprised you weren’t sharing that one-Martin wrote:
There is no guarantee that the front lens element will not get broken even if you have a UV filter on. I have seen cases where a UV filter got broken but so did also the front lens element. UV filter glass is very thin, not much protection really or strength in them, a deep hood will absorb more of the impact or prevent the front lens element from getting scratched against a wall or something. Some brads of UV filters can degrade lens performance and also increase flare sometimes. Its a personal thing if you want to use them or not. For me I think they give a false sense of security
M
I broke a uv filter in the summer-
it was on a Nikkor 80-200 2.8-
and I thought I’d broken the front element, the glass was so thick-
about 2mm- Hoya, I think-The lens fell from my bag about 7″ onto a marble floor-
and the filter ring did just what it was meant to do, and acted as a crumple zone-Lens unscathed-
j
jb7 wrote:
However, one other way to keep your equipment clean is to totally immerse it in any convenient mountain stream-
surprised you weren’t sharing that one-wayyyy below the belt if you ask me :D :D :D
I can quote every single word Martin said.
Lens hoods work much better than any uv filter. and IMHO (replying to WonkaFan) there’s quality loss with a poor filter…
my idea is that I use a filter just when I can’t do without. And I accept a compromise between the resulting effect (e.g. a darker sky with a GND or smooth waves with a ND10) and the softness of the image…
but this is just my experience and I know that Lee filters (or any other top brand) they cost a fortune :(Another in favour of no filters for protection. Use the hood and becareful! Whats the point in paying 100’s for a superb lens, then sticking another piece of glass in front of it?
I used a UV filter for a while. There was a noticeable pattern in the blurred backgrounds of shots with a tight DOF, so I stopped using it. Lens hood is substantial, so I use that as protection instead. Maybe it was the fact that it was a cheap UV filter (Hoya from e-bay), so maybe that was the problem.
Cheers,
Dave.I wouldn’t be in favour of using a UV filter. Spend lots of money on quality lenses and then place a cheaper piece of glass in front.
Not for me… but each to their own etcThanks for the opinions. Looks like the majority are in favour of not using uv filter and a fairly personal decision. For the moment I think I will not use one. This might change if my little boy keeps up his fascination with wanting to get near my camera every time my back is turned. :roll:
jb7 wrote:
Good tips Martin-
However, one other way to keep your equipment clean is to totally immerse it in any convenient mountain stream-
surprised you weren’t sharing that one-Yes how very true, a good way indeed. Cleaned my gear so good I lost one lens in the first river and a bronica body in the second river….. yea bollix for bringing that one up :oops: Your off my christmas card list this year :wink:
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