Filters For Protection? ( Rallying )

inlineadam

inlineadam

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Hi folks.

I've just bought my Canon Eos 20D and 55-250mm lens.

I'll be using it for mainly rallying photography.

THis leaves the question, which filter/type of filter should i get to protect the camera lenses?

Afterall, at rally events i am quite frequently pelted with stones, and in fact, on my old camera the lens got whacked by a stone but luckily i had a UV filter on to test it!

So what's your views folks?

1) Should i get some UV lenses off ebay?

2) I will probably get a polarizing lens also to reduce windscreen glare, would i use this for protection instead?


All advice/posts are much appreciated! :)
 
i used to use UV filters for rallying but this year i havent bothered and the sky hasnt come crashing down.

if youre sensible then the need can be avoided.

oh and if you do buy UV's dont buy cheap ones off ebay.
 
neil_g said:
i used to use UV filters for rallying but this year i havent bothered and the sky hasnt come crashing down.

if youre sensible then the need can be avoided.

oh and if you do buy UV's dont buy cheap ones off ebay.
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Do you use polarizing filters?
 
Polarizing filters lose you some light, typically 1-2 stops. With a slow-ish lens like the 55-250 and a sport requiring high-ish shutter speeds like rallying, you might not find them too practical.

The light loss will also likely slow down the autofocus, and the fact that the front element of the 55-250 rotates when you focus will mean you're always having to tweak the polarizer.

If you're likely to get stones/muck chucked at the lens, then a UV filter sounds sensible. They're also cheaper than polarizers. A high-end polarizer will set you back ~£100 or so.
 
neil_g said:
i have used a 105mm sigma CP on my 120-300. to be honest CPs are a bit hit and miss with rallying as the angle of light changes too much.
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Thanks for the advice. Do you know of any good sites i can get a couple of UV filters for a cheap price? ( for the 20D / 55-250mm )
 
the only ones ive ever bought were from warehouse express but theyre probably not the cheapest. but like i say, if youre sensible (i.e. dont wave the front element around when stones are flying, point it downwards) you shouldnt need UVs.
 
neil_g said:
the only ones ive ever bought were from warehouse express but theyre probably not the cheapest. but like i say, if youre sensible (i.e. dont wave the front element around when stones are flying, point it downwards) you shouldnt need UVs.
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Ok thanks, i think i'll get one just to be sure. Are there any particular makes yourself or anyone else would reccomend?
 
Since you're looking for physical protection (rather than just from dirt, etc), then you might want to consider Hoya HD

Not the cheapest, but a lot cheaper than a new lens :)
 
last UV i used was a hoya, not sure what model im afraid as it was a long time ago.

to be honest im not even sure a filter would protect in the event of a stone flying direct into the front of the lens. at the speed they go it would probably punch clean through a filter and still damage the front element.

last rally we did half of an actual brick hit my partner :D
 
inlineadam said:
Hi folks.

I've just bought my Canon Eos 20D and 55-250mm lens.

I'll be using it for mainly rallying photography.

THis leaves the question, which filter/type of filter should i get to protect the camera lenses?

Afterall, at rally events i am quite frequently pelted with stones, and in fact, on my old camera the lens got whacked by a stone but luckily i had a UV filter on to test it!

So what's your views folks?

1) Should i get some UV lenses off ebay?

2) I will probably get a polarizing lens also to reduce windscreen glare, would i use this for protection instead?


All advice/posts are much appreciated! :)
Click to expand...

Well, first consider insurance.

I cheap filter WILL degrade IQ to a noticeable extent, especially around highlights and when shooting against the light.

You don't need UV filtering, but a Hoya Pro1 Protection Filter will work well. The best part is you can take it off to wet clean it when it gets really dirty. Expensive but you will own it for a long time, hopefully.

I have cracked one, from a flying stone chip at a trials competition. It was a fair old whack too. No lens damage at all. However nothing much will protect you from a flying brick of any size. I would worry more about my face and eyes!

Polarising filters will lose you at least a stop of light and even more resolution than a protection filter.
 
Critical I said:
Well, first consider insurance.

I cheap filter WILL degrade IQ to a noticeable extent, especially around highlights and when shooting against the light.

You don't need UV filtering, but a Hoya Pro1 Protection Filter will work well. The best part is you can take it off to wet clean it when it gets really dirty. Expensive but you will own it for a long time, hopefully.

I have cracked one, from a flying stone chip at a trials competition. It was a fair old whack too. No lens damage at all. However nothing much will protect you from a flying brick of any size. I would worry more about my face and eyes!

Polarising filters will lose you at least a stop of light and even more resolution than a protection filter.
Click to expand...

Thanks STeve. Did you have a Pro 1 filter on when yours got hit?. A few have said the hoya HD ..... whats the difference between the pro 1 and the HD ?
 
neil_g said:
the 20D wont have a filter size, you want the filter size from the lens(es).
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I've ordered a Canon 55-250mm lens which is the one i'd like a filter on ?

Edit: I'm pretty sure it is 58mm.
 
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neil_g said:
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS ?

If so yes, 58mm - http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Pro...oom/EF-S_5-250mm_f4-5.6_IS/index.aspx?specs=1
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Ye, thanks Neil. I've ordered a Hoya Pro 1 Protection filter for about 20 quid :)

I'm new in the DSLR game so now i just need to wait on the arrival of my 8 new pieces!

( D20 Body + 18-55mm kit lens , 55-250mm lens, 2x Sandisk CF 4GB Ultra II Cards, A card reader!, 4 in 1 Charger ( for car ) , 2 new batteries, the filter and finally a lens hood....) I'm excited! My budget was £400, but i suppose spending £410 is not bad, hopefully this kit will get me off to a good start and then i can build on it :)

Thanks again for the help everyone!
 
That sounds a great setup - I just spent quite a bit more on a 550D + 18-135mm lens, and I bet your kit will out-perform! (especially since you have the whole 136-250mm range which you'll need at rallys)
 
aeronic said:
That sounds a great setup - I just spent quite a bit more on a 550D + 18-135mm lens, and I bet your kit will out-perform! (especially since you have the whole 136-250mm range which you'll need at rallys)
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I had been considering the upragde to a proper DSLR for a while. I just hate taking photos at rallys where my camera is only capable of taking one shot by the time the car is past ( a shot of which is usually not great quality due to the zoom having to be in full ! )

Hopefully this kit will be great for all purposes ( although motorsport is my area of most interest ) !
 
HOYA Pro 1 UV filter from Amazon

Has saved my 70-400G twice now, both times panning cars going into the gravel and not turning quite quick enough, cracked the filter but the lens itself was fine. Now put them on every piece of glass I have for track side.

.DAVID.
 
inlineadam said:
Thanks STeve. Did you have a Pro 1 filter on when yours got hit?. A few have said the hoya HD ..... whats the difference between the pro 1 and the HD ?
Click to expand...

Honestly can't remember - unlikely as it was a while ago. It would have been a top end Hoya though.

I have tested a couple of Pro1 filters with various lenses and cannot see any image degradation at all, even in difficult lighting, apart from a small additional flare spot with a 24-120 when shooting into the sun.

HD are probably fine too.
 
inlineadam said:
A few have said the hoya HD ..... whats the difference between the pro 1 and the HD ?
Click to expand...

The HD is the one to go for if you want a filter that might actually stop flying rocks - VIDEO. Other filters are more likely to shatter and scratch your lens coating.
 
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