Author Topic: UV Filter - Yay or Nay? (Read 1056 times)

pretzston · « **on:** December 13, 2011, 09:04:45 AM »

Who protects their lenses with filters all the time?

I have been using UV filters to protect them but have been considering ditching them because of the lens flares. I'm constantly taking them off.

Jman · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:30:46 AM »

I only use them if it's raining. They offer very little protection, are much easier to break than a front element, and provide no protection at all against drops...in fact they likely increase the chance of damage in a fall as they will almost ALWAYS shatter in a fall, exposing your front element to hundreds of shards of glass, which you then have to pry or rotate off the lens. they provide protection from raindrops or blowing sand or salt spray, so that's pretty much the only time I will mount a filter for protection.

No real drop or impact protection (or worse) + reduced image quality = no filters for me.

And with 50-75 lenses owned and used over the past 8 years, I have yet to scratch a single front element. The several hundred dollars I've saved from not purchasing a bunch has more than paid for a front element replacement for any lens, should I one day scratch it badly anyway.

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:44:41 AM »

Not for the native lenses.... But, I do have lens hood for bump protection....
On some of my adapted lenses, if, when I buy it, the previous owner ships the lens with one...

voyager · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2011, 05:16:19 PM »

They do really nothing photographically, but they to help keep your lenses from getting injured. Definitely agree with the fact that if you do have an issue, they are impossible to get off.

RT_Panther · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2011, 06:43:38 PM »

I'm of the school of thought that says "only use a filter if you want to create an effect"....
And I spend as much as I can on a quality filter....why put something cheap on a finely engineered piece of glass.....

lisandra · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2011, 07:08:45 PM »

I use to, but now I just dont. Im pretty hysterical about lens and camera care anyway to merit a filter for protection

Jason C · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:27:33 PM »

No.

Jason C

cosinaphile · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:40:30 PM »

i use them as a see thru lens cap ,

always taking em off it seems

peterb666 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2011, 11:12:23 PM »

Nay - use a lens hood unless you are in a very dusty and dirty/windy environment.

UV Filter - Yay or Nay?