Should I use UV Filters?

I will gladly yield to your experience and expertise. I can surely see that under adverse conditions it may well be advantageous to mount a protective lens. Since I live on Cape Cod, where sometimes the high winds will kick up quite a sand storm, especially when shooting around the beaches, I might be inclined to put a UV on. The exception to this would be in fact, that if it were that bad, I simply wouldn't take my equipment out in it. It wouldn't be only the lens I would be concerned about.

Perhaps you saw my Niagara Gorge images that the group here almost unanimously agreed were ruined by having a UV filter on. Or perhaps the subsequent posts about how the VR seemed to take terrible landscape shots? This situation was remedied by simply removing the offending layer of glass. Also keep in mind, I would never put cheap glass over my lenses, this was a B&W MRC UV. So in this convoluted discussion (referring to the whole thread, not this message) of what's good, what's bad, what is right, what is wrong, I think somewhere in there we agree on many of the points mentioned here. As for some of the other ones, I know I can agree to disagree with no ill feelings.

Kind Regards,

Kriss

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D-70, Kit, 50/1.8, 70-200VR, 200f/4AFED, SB-800, GitzoG2220, Bogen/Manfrotto 3245 Auto Monopod, Bogen 322 RC2 Grip Head, Canon500D Close-up Filter, Nikon 6T Close-up Filter.

'I want to die like my grandfather, peacefully in his sleep. Not like the passengers in his car'...
 
Point taken Phil.

Regards,

Kriss

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http://voyager01.deviantart.com/gallery/

D-70, Kit, 50/1.8, 70-200VR, 200f/4AFED, SB-800, GitzoG2220, Bogen/Manfrotto 3245 Auto Monopod, Bogen 322 RC2 Grip Head, Canon500D Close-up Filter, Nikon 6T Close-up Filter.

'I want to die like my grandfather, peacefully in his sleep. Not like the passengers in his car'...
 
I will gladly yield to your experience and expertise.
Just a matter of osmosis through longevity.
It wouldn't be only the lens I would be concerned about.
Understood.
Perhaps you saw my Niagara Gorge images that the group here almost
unanimously agreed were ruined by having a UV filter on.
Sorry but, no, I didn't see those. This forum is a little too busy for me to keep up with on a regular basis. I dive in and out. I did go back and look for them just now and I think I found what you are talking about some 17 pages back but the images are no longer there. Something about 70-200 shortcomings or the like?
Or perhaps
the subsequent posts about how the VR seemed to take terrible
landscape shots?
That's pure BS, plain and simple. A 70/80-200 class lens has always been my fav for big country landscapes and the 70-200VR is THE best I have ever owned.
This situation was remedied by simply removing the
offending layer of glass. Also keep in mind, I would never put
cheap glass over my lenses, this was a B&W MRC UV.
How do you know that was the problem? Did you shoot from the exact same spot at the exact same time of day under the exact same conditions? There are a few things that can cause problems with telephoto landscape shots and, yes, a filter can be one of them. I'll make a couple of comments without benefit of seeing your images.

A tele shot over distance will compress any "haze" in the air, be it moisture or pollution or simply weather conditions. A scene that appears clear to the eye can have a total lack of contrast due to the haze.

Using a UV filter without a hood is trouble. Scattered light will hit that flat glass and you will loser contrast. You were using your hood, weren't you?

Water spray, like from a big waterfall, can cause that scattered light to even come inside a hood.

Here's an example from the 70-200 showing that compressed haze. The sky appeared almost clear and blue to the naked eye. Imagine if there had been any detail out there in that haze.


So in this
convoluted discussion (referring to the whole thread, not this
message) of what's good, what's bad, what is right, what is wrong,
I think somewhere in there we agree on many of the points mentioned
here. As for some of the other ones, I know I can agree to disagree
with no ill feelings.
Certainly. We haven't been taken over by China -- yet -- so freedom of choice and opinion still exists. However, when complete falsehoods are put forth such as "a UV will always degrade an image", you just might find me in the thread somewhere with a counterpoint. Most landscape shooting pros will advise against using a "protection" filter just because they can cause problems under certain situations I have already outlined. That one money shot could be the one toasted. I shoot mostly for "me" so can accept the odd flare. If I'm taking a money shot, odds are I will remove the filter.

I showed you one shot with a UV. Here's a few snapshots -- nothing special or noteworthy here, just casual snaps -- with various lenses but all having something in common. They were all taken through a L37c Nikon UV filter.

70-200 with flash



17-55 into the sun



17-55 at 17MM -- there's over 5 stops of DR in this shot



Another at 17MM. Yeah, yeah -- I tilted the horizon. :)



85/1.4 at F1.4



17-55 into the sun again



70-200 night shot



85/1.4 at F2.8 testing for CA



That UV totally trashed them, huh. :)

Phil
 
Sorry but, no, I didn't see those. This forum is a little too busy
for me to keep up with on a regular basis. I dive in and out. I did
go back and look for them just now and I think I found what you are
talking about some 17 pages back but the images are no longer
there. Something about 70-200 shortcomings or the like?
Were actually on page 7 of my threads. I also was asking for assistance in understanding what was causing my problems with the VR lens. I never claimed to be a "know-it-all".
Or perhaps
the subsequent posts about how the VR seemed to take terrible
landscape shots?
Yes. My VR was taking terrible landscape shots and I was (again..ASKING) for assistance to determine the cause.
That's pure BS, plain and simple. A 70/80-200 class lens has always
been my fav for big country landscapes and the 70-200VR is THE best
I have ever owned.
-- I could use a good laugh. :)
As far as your condescending attitude, I don't believe it is called for here. I was in fact showing you respect, which may or may not be deserved. I happen to love my VR lens.
This situation was remedied by simply removing the
offending layer of glass. Also keep in mind, I would never put
cheap glass over my lenses, this was a B&W MRC UV.
How do you know that was the problem? Did you shoot from the exact
same spot at the exact same time of day under the exact same
conditions? There are a few things that can cause problems with
telephoto landscape shots and, yes, a filter can be one of them.
I'll make a couple of comments without benefit of seeing your
images.
I know that was the problem because when I took the thing off, I didn't have a problem shooting landscapes.. Hmmm? Rocket science maybe?
A tele shot over distance will compress any "haze" in the air, be
it moisture or pollution or simply weather conditions. A scene that
appears clear to the eye can have a total lack of contrast due to
the haze.

Using a UV filter without a hood is trouble. Scattered light will
hit that flat glass and you will loser contrast. You were using
your hood, weren't you?

Water spray, like from a big waterfall, can cause that scattered
light to even come inside a hood.

Here's an example from the 70-200 showing that compressed haze. The
sky appeared almost clear and blue to the naked eye. Imagine if
there had been any detail out there in that haze.
I'm sure I can manage to take a nice photo with the UV filter on, I don't doubt that is possible. Considering.. I left it on all the time. Not all of my photos sucked ya know.. It was landscapes with it on that were the issue.
So in this
convoluted discussion (referring to the whole thread, not this
message) of what's good, what's bad, what is right, what is wrong,
I think somewhere in there we agree on many of the points mentioned
here. As for some of the other ones, I know I can agree to disagree
with no ill feelings.
Certainly. We haven't been taken over by China -- yet -- so freedom
of choice and opinion still exists. However, when complete
falsehoods are put forth such as "a UV will always degrade an
image", you just might find me in the thread somewhere with a
counterpoint. Most landscape shooting pros will advise against
using a "protection" filter just because they can cause problems
under certain situations I have already outlined. That one money
shot could be the one toasted. I shoot mostly for "me" so can
accept the odd flare. If I'm taking a money shot, odds are I will
remove the filter.
I think this is what I was saying. And I wasn't the one who said a UV will ALWAYS degrade a image. In fact, I know there are situations that are well suited for UV filters.
That UV totally trashed them, huh. :)
I repeat again, I didn't say UV filters degrade ALL images. I said it was causing problems for me shooting landscapes. And in fact, ruined a lot of photos. So try not to quote me out of context. In fact, try not to quote me at all. I never claimed to be an expert. My only claim here is that I choose not to use a UV on my lens at all times for protection and I still won't.

If you wish to belittle me for asking why my VR wasn't performing the way I expected it to, then perhaps you should go all the way back to my first posts where I was new and asking how to properly read a histogram, surely you can show you're great prowess with your photography skills to try to humiliate me there too. But you know what? It really doesn't affect me because I'm not better than anyone else. At least I know I don't have all the answers.

Kriss

--
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http://voyager01.deviantart.com/gallery/

D-70, Kit, 50/1.8, 70-200VR, 200f/4AFED, SB-800, GitzoG2220, Bogen/Manfrotto 3245 Auto Monopod, Bogen 322 RC2 Grip Head, Canon500D Close-up Filter, Nikon 6T Close-up Filter.

'I want to die like my grandfather, peacefully in his sleep. Not like the passengers in his car'...
 
As far as your condescending attitude, I don't believe it is called
for here. I was in fact showing you respect, which may or may not
be deserved. I happen to love my VR lens.
HEY! I don't have a CLUE what the h*ll you are talking about. Obviously there is a lack of communication here. I was assuming you were saying others in that thread (which I have yet to read) were saying the 70-200 isn't any good for landscapes. I was supporting you in saying the lens is perfectly good for landscapes along with most anything else one cares to shoot. You can bet I won't make the mistake of suppoting you again. The only condescension in my post was put there by your reading and certainly not by my intent. I will apologize for the way you took my post but not for what I wrote. Maybe you need to chill a bit and read it again in the light it was intended.

Phil
 
The only time I've had good luck with the blower was for blowing
the dust off my lenses. The one exception to that is after I do a
CCD cleaning with PecPads and Eclipse I frequently find one little
piece of lint or fluid left on the sensor. Holding the camera
upside down, I give it a few puffs with the Giotto rocket blower.
99% of the time that's all it takes and my sensor is beautiful
again.
Hmm. I found blowers just add the dust, not remove it... especially after wet cleaning, things should cleaner without the blower, but then maybe I have the wrong one.
PS, I prefer to use the blower on my lens caps and my lenses when I
take the caps off. They stay pretty clean for me. Just my $.02
Agreed, it worked good for me too.

LB
Regards,

Kriss

--
See if I'm online, ICQ# 1326088
Check out my photo site if you have some time!
http://voyager01.deviantart.com/gallery/

D-70, Kit, 50/1.8, 70-200VR, 200f/4AFED, SB-800, GitzoG2220,
Bogen/Manfrotto 3245 Auto Monopod, Bogen 322 RC2 Grip Head,
Canon500D Close-up Filter, Nikon 6T Close-up Filter.

'I want to die like my grandfather, peacefully in his sleep. Not
like the passengers in his car'...
--
If everyone cared and nobody cried,
If everyone loved and nobody lied,
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride,
We'd see the day, when nobody died
 
Some filters are very hard to clean. See Hoya.
Some filters are easy to clean. See Nikon.
Phil, how would you compare Nikon L37c UV to B+W MRC UV - which one would be best? I'm looking for 70-200VR and certainly don't want to underpower it by a weird acting UV filter :)

LB
--
If everyone cared and nobody cried,
If everyone loved and nobody lied,
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride,
We'd see the day, when nobody died
 
Some filters are very hard to clean. See Hoya.
Some filters are easy to clean. See Nikon.
Phil, how would you compare Nikon L37c UV to B+W MRC UV - which one
would be best? I'm looking for 70-200VR and certainly don't want to
underpower it by a weird acting UV filter :)
That's a question I can't answer with any real authority. In my opinion Nikon, B+W and Heliopan are all roughly equal. I would not hesitate to use any of the three and have used all of them in the past with no problems. The only B+W I currently use is on my kit lens so is the only reference I have on a DSLR and I haven't noticed any reason to not use it though I don't use my kit very often. I use the Nikon L37c on all my big glass for no other reason than it's what I decided to use. I have no doubt I would be just as happy with B+W just like I was on film. The B+W actually has an advantage in that it is made from brass and would tend to not freeze up on the lens.

Phil
 
--
If everyone cared and nobody cried,
If everyone loved and nobody lied,
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride,
We'd see the day, when nobody died
 
I have no ill feelings for you or anyone else here. If I took your post wrong, then I apologize. It really seemed like you were saying I was the one telling everyone never to put a UV on their lens. BTW, my VR takes great landscapes now.

Perhaps you are right that I need to chill. It has been over 48 hours since I slept and am in considerable pain from a root canal gone bad. I might be a little edgy.. I get so frustrated with this place sometimes. It's certainly not your fault. It almost seems like every nice discussion here turns ugly. For one reason or another. I am way to busy to participate in all these heated debates and discussions. I think I will take a hiatus for a while.

Again, My apologies if I mistook what you were saying as a hostile attack against me. It was really the tone of your voice. lol

Kind regards,

Kriss

--
See if I'm online, ICQ# 1326088
Check out my photo site if you have some time!
http://voyager01.deviantart.com/gallery/

D-70, Kit, 50/1.8, 70-200VR, 200f/4AFED, SB-800, GitzoG2220, Bogen/Manfrotto 3245 Auto Monopod, Bogen 322 RC2 Grip Head, Canon500D Close-up Filter, Nikon 6T Close-up Filter.

'I want to die like my grandfather, peacefully in his sleep. Not like the passengers in his car'...
 
It really seemed like you were saying
I was the one telling everyone never to put a UV on their lens.
No, no -- not at all. It was simply a reference to those on my case up-thread saying that -- not you. It was probably my fault -- I don't type very well and often come across in the written word as short and brusque when that is not my intention at all. Those I am trying to gouge usually have no doubt but that certainly was NOT my intent in reply to you post -- just trying to give some info based on personal experience.
BTW, my VR takes great landscapes now.
That's great -- shoot and enjoy because it is a very nice tool.

Protection filters? Use 'em or not -- it's purely personal preference. If I thought one was giving me image problems you can bet your last dollar it would never see the light of day so I absolutely understand your position. Peace. :)

Phil
 
You just proved it. Your comparison should close the thread and the subject forever... But people here aren't interested in facts it seems...
 
I do not frequent this forum but:

It is true, in some rare instances I will, for very short periods, remove a UV filter, but I do not have any idea why this subject is repeated time after time and forum after forum when the real world makes it easy to decide.

Examples:

Two days ago one of my 2 grandsons came up from behind me and grabbed my camera (fingers on the lens of course) whle he ate something sticky as I tried to get a photo of his brother and our dog.

Years ago I was shooting a minor surgical procedure when the cyst ruptured and squirted the lens (actually the filter and by the time I got it cleaned the filter was not in good shape better it than the lens).

I have shot bike and foot races and gotten the lens splashed with mud, while shooting football games also.

Last month I was shooting some construction I got sawdust and grit on a filter [better than my lens].

Rain, Snow, sleet and wind are also good reasons for filters.

My expireince and opinion, ...

So, the answer is simple:

If you always work in a studio with no others around then there is no need.

If not & you would rather replace a lens than a filter then there is no need.

OTHERWISE use the filter [again of course my opinion]!

--
Ray
RJNedimyer
 
Hey Kriss, would you use a Polariser for your landscape shots?
Certainly. I have a Kaesmann B&W MRC CP.
...that anything bad done to your image by a UV filter
could also be done by a polarizer (of comparable quality).
One thing you are forgetting, There is a benefit with a CP and not
the UV picture wize...lol Regards...
It is true that a UV would rarely, if ever, improve the shot.

The CP might, or might not, improve a shot--depending
on whether the situation called for it, and whether it was
used correctly.

Regards, Ed
 
This is a long thread. I'll add my two cents. On a scientific level, do they degrade your images? Yes. However, if you buy a top-notch one, it will be extremely negligibly. Ive had UV filters absorb hockey pucks, saving me lots of money, so all of my lenses get nice UV filters installed on them.
--
-Dave T.

 
Hi Folks,

A friend gave me some Quantaray filters. Could any of you who use filters comment on the quality of filters from Quantaray, in particular their circular polarizing filters?

Regards,
Al Shanmugam
 

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