UV filters? Worth buying?

Arkady said:
Hoya's HMC or Pro-1 UV and protection filters came out almost equal (and in first place) in terms of quality in a test I saw linked-to on here recently...
B&W are also good but fared not as well...

If you have £1,000+ lenses, then get the Pro-1 series filters, any others get the HMC series...
I have a mixture of both on my glass and can't tell the difference to be honest...
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Cheers Arkady.... I feel a couple of purchases coming on pay day......

Terran
 
i always put them on my lenses
a couple of yrs ago i was taking to a guy in a bird hide, he had same gear as me
30d and a 100-400L
looking at his shots on screen, his were a lot sharper than mine, i thought at first his lens was a better copy than mine, and then i realised that the only difference was i had a uv filter and he didnt.
i took mine off and the difference was amazing.
the filters in question were jessops hoya etc
later i bought a hoya pro 1 and noticed that there was no drop in image quality
so buy cheap and regret it
 
Arkady said:
I don't blame you - I'd throw a Canon lens in the bin too...:thumbs:
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Throw your camera in the bin and get a Canon. The lens would fit then.

ccsnet said:
.... and here is me thinkning about putting a filter post up :)

Serisley though - I have taken quite a lot of shots across the bay etc and you quite often get that 'mist' in the far background. I was led to believe that a UV filter would help reduce that and give a clearer picture ??? If thats the case then surley thats a use ? ( BTW I'd love to know for sure as I'm thinking about buying some ).

As far as lens protection goes.... well I'm OCD about my car and I can tell you I am OCD about pretecting my lens' so although I dont have a cover I keep caps on, in bags and generally look after it while using. ( no hankies alowed ;) )

Terran
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Protection filters are made for folks with OCD.

ccsnet said:
.... so in short.... not worth it.... Well - that answers that .... a set of ND filters is defo on the list though for long term exposures.

Next question.... gel or screw on... I guess it makes no diffrence but seeing as we are talking filters.....

Terran
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The best filters are glass, coated glass, or better still multicoated glass. Best of all, no filter.

DiddyDave said:
Rob - I've 30 years without a scratch to a front element, and NONE of my Wedding Pro mates use filters for protection - that hot desert Sun howling wind and endless abrasive sand has affected you mate :D

When you've been back in good ole blighty for a while with no bullets about and only aunt Betty to bother you at a Wedding you may come around a bit. You may even take that flak jacket off too in time :lol:

DD
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Yes :D

Mikesphotaes said:
I see these filters as a way of protecting my lens investment for future resale.

All my lenses have filters and I am VERY glad the wee marks etc. are on the filters and not on the lenses.
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Better still, never take them out of the box.

marky.b said:
i always put them on my lenses
a couple of yrs ago i was taking to a guy in a bird hide, he had same gear as me
30d and a 100-400L
looking at his shots on screen, his were a lot sharper than mine, i thought at first his lens was a better copy than mine, and then i realised that the only difference was i had a uv filter and he didnt.
i took mine off and the difference was amazing.
the filters in question were jessops hoya etc
later i bought a hoya pro 1 and noticed that there was no drop in image quality
so buy cheap and regret it
Click to expand...

Not that amazing really. There is a steady stream of similar revelations made on here every week.
 
HoppyUK said:
..........



Better still, never take them out of the box.



..........
Click to expand...


There's always some daft booger coming up with useless info. too late!



Seriously however, there are lots of wee marks on the filters......

..........are you really suggesting that I forego this as a kinda right of passage?

If so, may I kindly suggest you go and boil your turban.........

..........filters are fine for me!
 
Last edited:
WOW! This really was a can of worms being opened!

Basically, the long and short of it is:
a) The UV filter will detract from image quality (in some way or other to varying degrees)
b) They are useful for protecting from minor scratches and bumps
c) They are good in adverse weather and dusty environments
d) It will do nothing if you full on smash the lens around or drop it somewhere!

So, as I am pretty anal with my lenses, I have no need immediately for one as nothing is likely to happen to them (unless it is going to **** it up seriously!). However, when I plan to go on safari next year, get myself a filter for my 100-400L and deal with the slight loss of quality to save from dust and what not in the field!
 
jrf23 said:
WOW! This really was a can of worms being opened!

Basically, the long and short of it is:
a) The UV filter will detract from image quality (in some way or other to varying degrees)
b) They are useful for protecting from minor scratches and bumps
c) They are good in adverse weather and dusty environments
d) It will do nothing if you full on smash the lens around or drop it somewhere!

So, as I am pretty anal with my lenses, I have no need immediately for one as nothing is likely to happen to them (unless it is going to **** it up seriously!). However, when I plan to go on safari next year, get myself a filter for my 100-400L and deal with the slight loss of quality to save from dust and what not in the field!
Click to expand...
You forgot.... e) All of the above can be true or false depending on who you ask :bang:

Terran

EDIT Ooooo post 500... :)
 
Hahahaha! Too true by the looks of this thread!
 
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