Protective filters

Joined: 21 Nov 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Apopka, Fl

Hi all, can anyone tell me if I should attach a filter to my lenses? More for protection than effects. What kinds (if any) do you all suggest? Maybe a UV filter? Thanks.

Premium Member Joined: 29 Oct 2004 Posts: 5758

We've talked about this quite a bit here. My vote is never put something in front of your lens unless you are in really hostile conditions. I have some lenses with outstanding optical quality, and when I put some (expensive) UV filters in front for protection the degradation in image quality was immediately apparent -- I spent no more than 3 or 4 days with these filters on before I decided that it nullified the whole reason I bought expensive glass.

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 2:57 pm

Some will say don't put another piece of glass in front of your Lens some will say for protection. some say it will degrade the quality of the picture, I tried it on mine (HOYA UV Filter Multi Coated) and I don't see any difference unless I'm shooting against the light, you will see more flaring, less flaring without the filter.
If you are trying to protect your lens, the best protector you can use is the Lens Hood and keep that lens Cap until you're ready to shoot

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 5:14 pm

I am of the opinion that adding another piece of glass to your expensive glass is silly, unless there is a reason for it(polarizer, ND, ND grad). Your lens cap and lens hood are all of the protection you need. A filter is made of very soft aluminum or brass and very thin glass, the protection it will provide is minimal, and if the glass of the filter breaks there is a really good chance it could damage the front element of the lens. I just can't see putting a $100 or less piece of glass in front of my $1K + lens.
Here is a test that shows a filter will change the properties of a lens, even a good filter: http://www.kenandchristine.com/gallery/1054387/1

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 6:06 pm

Nice link TenD, no wonder I almost didn't see any difference with my filter. I'm using a HOYA HMC UV Filter on my Lens (and I will keep it on until I feel comfortable not having one in front of my lens) and of course this is only my opinion, anybody have their own opinion :-)

Cheers =)

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 7:41 pm

The Better Hoya's are definitely pretty neutral, B&W, Heliopan, and Singh Ray all make decent filters that are pretty neutral. But as the test shows, even the Hoya changes the luminance of the sample, probably not enough to see easily, but still a change. The change from a consumer lens to a pro lens is subtle too, but you can definitely see it. I used to always use a filter too, but after reading John Shaw's books and several other articles on the subject, I have decided to go Naked...to quote Kramer: "I'm out there and lovin' every minute of it!".
I have dropped one lens, onto rocky ground: my 80-200 f/2.8L attached to my EOS 3 but the hood was on and the only damage was a couple of scratches on the hood and a couple of scratches on the eye piece of the camera. I picked it up, and although in shock, I tested a couple of frames and everything still worked, a testament to the quality of L lenses and Canon bodies.

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 10:41 pm

Filters are designed to have some effect on your image, not to protect your lens. They can be used a method of protecting your front element, but you're sacrificing some level of image quality in the process. Honestly, I can think of a multitude of ways you can damage your lens, and the filter will offer you no extra protection, I can only think of a few ways a filter might help.

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:30 pm

Personally I would definitely not use a UV filter to protect a lens on a routine basis.

I think you get almost the same level of protection, and some additional benefits, from a hood.

If you must use a UV filter, then use a hood as well- it will at least reduce the probability of flare.

:) keithwms

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 12:35 am

Here is a link to a thread I started a while back which started talking about coated filters but evolved. It covers a lot of discussion on UV filters and the question to cover or not. Like most, I choose to cover only when it's in bad conditions as a result of what I have learned here.

http://www.phototakers.com/forum/ftopic26912.html?highlight=

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:01 am

Filters are made to change the shot as you are taking it. The "protection" gimic was created by some sales person to get moer sales of cheap UV filters. The only time a UV goes in front of my lens is in extremely windy, dusty/sandy situations. Even then the filter I use on a beach (most common for me in Florida and the Caribbean) is more likely going to be a Polarizer or a Graduated ND filter.

Get good quality filters. Use them with the intention of improving your photos. UV filters are useful, if you need to cut down on UV effects. Most common place..... high altitude shots.

Joined: 21 Nov 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Apopka, Fl

Thanks kids. I'll probably keep the lense cover on unless shooting. Slips into my pocket pretty easy. ;-)

Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 1:01 pm

Scratched front element...
I feel for this guy, fortunately it shouldn't affect image quality, except maybe increased flare potential.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=126463