For those who use a UV filter...

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slicendice

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I realise this can be a polarising issue (pun absolutely intended!) and I'm not wishing to spark another debate as to whether UV filters are a worth it or not, but for those who do choose to use them (UV filters, that is), which brand do you go for?

Having just just splashed on a new cam/lens combo, I want to have a UV filter in my bag so that if I'm in an environment where it feels like the lens might be at risk of dirt, dust, sand, etc then I can whack it on.

I realise the ultra cheapy ones are like kitchen window glass so wouldn't want to go that route, but nor would I want to spend >£100, which some of the "top" brands seem to go for.

Is there a happy mid-point between price and performance? How much do/would you pay for one?
 
I paid £85 for a 72mm B+W Master Clear Filter MRC Nano. That's a clear protection filter rather than UV. Though a little pricey I plan to keep it on 24/7 to protect from all you mentioned but also drops.

I didn't really want to pay that much, I also didn't want to degrade IQ. Especially given how much I spent on the lens. I haven't bothered for my cheaper lenses.

I'd say it's a reasonable price and, in theory, should last forever.
 
I have a rule-of-thumb of around 10% of the cost of the lens.
 
One point to note with these, I once bought a lens off this site which came with a UV filter attached. Testing the lens I just wasn't overly impressed with the image quality so decided to make sure it was clean, it looked clean but you never know. On taking off the UV filter and inspecting is closely I could see a lot of very small scratches on the filter which just weren't ordinarily visible. It's great that the filter was doing its job of protecting the lens but make sure you check them closely from time-to-time.
 
Did removing/replacing the filter improve matters?
 
More than once I have seen filters break in fairly modest knocks and glass shards have worked into the lens mechanism causing more issues. For that reason I would suggest you take a look at a ceramic glass uv or protection version which are actually stronger. I belive Marumi have a range of them.
 
Saw an article recently which advised people to use them on every lens. The writer said he'd never seen any degradation of IQ when using one - apart from more flare in a lot of shots...
 
Nod said:
Saw an article recently which advised people to use them on every lens. The writer said he'd never seen any degradation of IQ when using one - apart from more flare in a lot of shots...
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But increased flare reduces image contrast and definition and thus IQ,

Dave
 
Most of my lenses have them, bought from K&F. I did buy one more expensive one the same as Kane above for one of my more expensive long zooms, but generally I'd stick to K&F. In film days I always bought Hoya UV and colour filters.
 
Hoya HD for most lenses unless you are spending huge amounts on super primes for all that sharpness.BTW you don’t need a UV filter unless you are shooting film. Clear protection filter is enough.
 
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steve_lyt said:
Its worth keeping a uv filter on a lens for protection, it doesnt affect the images, its better to smash a 20-50 pound bit of glass rather than a lens
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On a Panasonic 100-300 it makes a huge difference to image quality, to do with reflections not filter quality.

I've taken them all of all my lenses now, unless I go into a lens hostile environment.

And the other deciding factor is that since 1972, I have never damaged a lens, so although it is possible, not likely.
 
All of my lenses have a filter on for protection. Mostly Hoya, but I did end up buying a K&F for my 200-500 as I couldn't find much from Hoya in that size. I'm typically pretty careful when out and about although you can never tell when something might go wrong I suppose. Something that made me keep my filters is when I had a tiny bit of sea spray etch a load of specks into a screen protector. While that's easily replaced, I don't wish to risk it on lens coatings.
 
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