Question re: filters

Whether to use a filter all the time is personal choice - but no way will a UV/NC improve image quality - whereas a pol can.

With respect UV's have been redundant (including with film) for over 20 years because film, sensor's, and lens element cement filter out UV - which is probably why Nikon stopped making UV filters about 8 years ago.

On the beach in strong wind I would be more worried about sand getting into a lens focus or zoom ring than settling on the front element. If the wind is strong enough to abrade the front element it is also likely to abrade the lens or camera body paint.

I rarely use filters for protection, part because 5 of my lenses do not accept a filter and have never come to harm, even working on beaches.

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Leonard Shepherd
Many problems turn out to be a lack of intimate knowledge of complex modern camera equipment.