To filter or not to filter ?

John Young

John Young

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I have just bought a new expensive lens (well expensive to me) and was wondering about the old question of adding a filter like a UV filter to the front to protect the lens.

I have not done it before but just wondering on peoples thoughts on it - is it a good idea - will it affect the quality of the photo etc
 
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Depends what the lens is, how it will be used and how big the lens hood is.
 
It's a no from me. I try and look after everything I own but I don't wrap any of it up in cotton wool.
 
Personally i would just use the rather beefy lens hood as protection unless that is you plan to use it in an environment where the front element of the lens could take a direct hit from something.
 
Every extra surface will increase flare. The question is whether you notice a drop in contrast or not. I know one photographer who never uses filters (unless absolutely necessary) because the flare in a studio environment with light sources just out of camera is unacceptable. On the other hand, another who shoots air shows insists on them because the environment they shoot in coats the filters to an extent that they can't be cleaned after a season.

Personally - I used to use them as protection and now don't. I've yet to scratch a lens (or filter), but after 50 odd years I suppose I'm about due to...
 
One of these has saved my lens a couple of times...
 
Never used a UV filter and if I did I'd not buy a cheap one, no point.

I'm careful and tend to use my lens hood as protection.

Cheers.
 
I would say no, unless you're likely to be using it in dusty dirty conditions. A lens hood and cap is all the protection you need for normal use.
 
Used to use them when I first got into photography, but I soon after stopped using them. Paranoia of adding something which affects the quality is the reason.
 
posiview said:
use my lens hood as protection
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SoDoSoPa said:
A lens hood and cap is all the protection
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stupar said:
i would just use the rather beefy lens hood as protection unless that is you plan to use it in an environment where the front element of the lens could take a direct hit from something
Click to expand...
I would not want to buy used lens from folk who use a lens hood as a lens shock protection system. It is no wonder the sales of lens calibration kits are increasing. lol
 
Thank everyone and I agree about the lens hood as protection that has always worked for me. I think I am leaning towards not - my worry would be that no matter how good a filter it would not be as good as the end element in my lens and degrade the image

I actually got a tiny scuff mark on the other end of one of my lenses. Absolutely no idea how as I am always so careful, maybe they should make something to protect that end
 
For me, absolutely not. I'm not prepared to put a clear filter on my lens and potentially reduce quality. I know I use grads and the like, but at least they have a purpose to the end photo.
 
Another no from me.

It will degrade picture quality, the scenarios, light (and direction) and lengths used will alter the amount of IQ loss and interference depending on the situation.

Just use a hood, not only does this protect the lens without picture degradation, it actually increases IQ as it keeps good levels of contrast by preventing stray light hitting the element from the sides.

I've never used a UV / protection filter and in 20 years, I've never suffered front element damage.
 
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No.

I think lenses are actually more robust than we think, I dropped my Tamron 70-300 USD last year on to a gravel path on the West Highland Way, and the only damage is a slight scuff on zoom ring, I appreciate I was very lucky however.
 
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