Im looking at buying a cheap flower lens hood that comes with a UV filter for £5. Is a UV filter really needed with a Canon 550D with the kit lens or is it a good addon? Just want to know as its £2 cheaper without the UV filter. Yes its not much, but we all want to save money somewhere lol.
Uv Filter
- Thread starter Ash 306
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I think it's almost certain that you don't need it. Some people fit them to lenses for "protection" but doing so causes long and viscious arguments on internet forums 
I'd get it and fit it as I live near the cost and often take pictures at the seaside where salt spray and sand can easily end up on my lenses and I'd rather clean that lot off a cheapo filter than a lens. When shooting a scene with a strong light source filters can cause some ghosting but you can always take the filter off if shooting a scene including lights.
I'd get it and fit it as I live near the cost and often take pictures at the seaside where salt spray and sand can easily end up on my lenses and I'd rather clean that lot off a cheapo filter than a lens. When shooting a scene with a strong light source filters can cause some ghosting but you can always take the filter off if shooting a scene including lights.
Oh... can of worms opening again 
£2 for a UV filter will be like putting a dirty broken bottle in front of your lens. A good UV filter will cost you quite a lot! The best (arguably) are Heliopan, B+W and the better Hoya's. And this is coming from someone who is very much pro UV filter!
It really does depend on what conditions you're shooting under. ALL filters WILL degrade the image. The real question is whether you can see the degradation or not. Most times you can't. But if you're shooting into the light you've a lot more chance of seeing problems. On the other hand in wind blown sand or spray or even dog snot or kids sticky fingers it may be worth it... only you can answer that one.
cheers
£2 for a UV filter will be like putting a dirty broken bottle in front of your lens. A good UV filter will cost you quite a lot! The best (arguably) are Heliopan, B+W and the better Hoya's. And this is coming from someone who is very much pro UV filter!
It really does depend on what conditions you're shooting under. ALL filters WILL degrade the image. The real question is whether you can see the degradation or not. Most times you can't. But if you're shooting into the light you've a lot more chance of seeing problems. On the other hand in wind blown sand or spray or even dog snot or kids sticky fingers it may be worth it... only you can answer that one.
cheers
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Wozzaaah
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The flower type hood is no good on the 18-55 kit lens, if that's what you have, as the front element rotates during focussing.
You need the EW-60C type, a cheapo one will set you back about £4-£5.
