Poll: How many of you use UV/Protective filters?

Currently I dont have any UV/Protective filters so I was wondering how many of you use them and what practical purpose do they serve besides protecting the front element? Do they harpen the IQ in any meaningful way or do they absolutely do not affect the quality of the lens at all?

The Hoya ones are usually most recommended I understand and they are all readily availbale from Adorama in all the sizes I would need (72mm, 52 and 49mm). Are they worth getting and how many of you always have one on the lens you are using? I do know/hear that the front element of lenses are indeed quite robust though and not much damage is likely to happen unless you are real clumsy and something drastic happens that will leave a scratch, mark, etc. and even then most of the time minor damage (minor scratch, mark, etc.) does not affect the IQ much if at all - is this a correct assumption? Thanks for your thoughts and I am curios as to how many of the forum members here always use/never use a filter for protection.

On another note I will probably get a polarizing filter once the days start getting longer and I have time to go shoot in midday sun - again are Hoya the most recommended for the polarizers - they seem to be easy to find at the good retailer. Thanks in advance and bring in the votes.

--
Sinan

Sinan Tarlan said:

Currently I dont have any UV/Protective filters so I was wondering
how many of you use them and what practical purpose do they serve
besides protecting the front element?

Click to expand...

I never use one unless I'm working in adverse conditions. They serve no optical purpose on a digital camera.

SFT007 said:

Do they harpen the IQ in any
meaningful way or do they absolutely do not affect the quality of
the lens at all?

Click to expand...

The very best filters are unlikely to have any visible affect on quality, but cheap ones will cause flare and other undesirable effects.

My advice is don't use them at all unless there is a compelling reason.

--
John Bean [GMT - is there any other?]

PAW Week 50:
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Index page: http://waterfoot.smugmug.com
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Same here. No filter used too... I love SMC.

I use to use protection until I got married
--
Steve

I do use Hoya UV filters, basically because I would rather damage an £8 filter than a £200 lens. But I haven't actually done an IQ check with and without. Has anyone?
--
Paul Graber

--
guy

Have always fitted new lenses with a uv filter as a matter of habit. Started with my original ME and all the lenses that I acqured for it. Still using them and they are as good as new.

if you stick with good MC filters, there won't be IQ loss as long as it doesn't flare. When it does, just remove it for the shot. I use one when I didn't use the hood for some lenses. Like the DA16-45/4, the front is rather exposed and the hood is too big for my bag.

This is where you might find some good deals. I recommend HOYA DMC Clear if you just want a protector. HMC SUPER UV(0) is also excellent. But some HOYA MC CPL don't have front thread so better ask.
http://shop.vendio.com/hkd/category/2/
--
Alan Chan
http://www.pbase.com/wlachan

Every one of my 150+ Pentax lenses has a multicoated UV filter mounted permanently; the best ones have a Pentax SMC, a B+W MRC, or a Hoya Super HMC filter. Here's one reason why:



This filter gave its life so that my FA77 Limited could live...
--
Jim King - Retired Colormonger - Suburban Detroit, Michigan, USA; GMT -5h (EST)
Photo gear and collection listed in my profile.



* * * * *
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.

• Sir Winston Churchill

* * * * *
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

• Albert Einstein

Paul Graber said:

I do use Hoya UV filters, basically because I would rather damage
an £8 filter than a £200 lens. But I haven't actually done an IQ
check with and without. Has anyone?

Click to expand...

Some affects IQ, most not. I have a 20 yrs old HOYA uncoated UV which is excellent for portrait as a very slight diffuser. But the recent MC filters like HMC or HMC SUPER UV(0) has no impact on IQ at all, as long as it doesn't flare. That's my conclusion anyway after some tests on slides. Just stay away from the green label HOYA should be fine.
--
Alan Chan
http://www.pbase.com/wlachan

I use a clear Hoya protector or UV for any lens likely to be used outside - and have reason to be glad, even if just for the feeling that the filter got knocked and not the lens

I can't tell any difference with or without

--
J.

i use UV or polarizing, permanentely for protection...

the 50mm1.7 have flare problem with it so i remove it if i want to shoot an artificial light

the other no problem
(just the polarrizing which darken my viewfinder....but it's not a big problem)
--
my photo galleriies are here : http://www.flickr.com/photos/48097166@N00/

Jim King said:

This filter gave its life so that my FA77 Limited could live...

Click to expand...

Well put... and that image speaks volumes.
Dan

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dadams1 said:

Jim King said:

This filter gave its life so that my FA77 Limited could live...

Click to expand...

Well put... and that image speaks volumes.

Click to expand...

Yet a rigid hood instead of a filter would have given even better protection and actually improve image quality in many cases ;-)

Always use a lens hood.

--
John Bean [GMT - is there any other?]

PAW Week 50:
http://waterfoot.smugmug.com/gallery/1082841/4/118929495/Large



Index page: http://waterfoot.smugmug.com
Latest walkabout (4 April): http://waterfoot.smugmug.com/gallery/1348582

Except when I'm shooting in the rain or really sandy conditions... otherwise they just cause more flare, and I'm not about to spend more on a filter than I do for my lenses(M series lenses).
--



Technical Info: Roseart U.S.A. Gold #2 pencil, Pentel High Polymer eraser, Academie sketch pad drawing paper. Drawn clumsily under relatively poor light.

http://www.geocities.com/wild_tiger_1

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Wow - just looking at the 72mm Hoya UV, Haze & Protection filters at BH and there are 8 of them ranging from $31 to $80. Here is their selection: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&a=27_305&mnp=0.0&mxp=0.0&cmpsrch=&cltp=&clsgr=&shs=&ci=12810&ac=&Submit.x=4&Submit.y=4

Im thinking the Hoya 72mm Haze UV(0) (S-HMC) Super Multi-Coated Glass Filter is a good one as I see it recommended above and it costs $47 for the72mm version. Then theres the same one but without "Super" before the HMC coating and that one is $37. Makes me feel like im buying a toy or something.

The picture though to demonstrate what the filters do is not exactly convincing though since its soft and OOF but has better color and less haze (rather have sharp and more haze though) compared to the one without the filter Im kidding of course for those who may think Im serious BTW - I know it wont affect IQ like that just amusing I thought and not a great wat to sell filters for the uninformed

Thanks for anyone who replies already - but keep them coming!

--
Sinan

Keep em coming - and present your evidence as to why you need or dont need one!

--
Sinan

wlachan said:

if you stick with good MC filters, there won't be IQ loss as long
as it doesn't flare. When it does, just remove it for the shot. I
use one when I didn't use the hood for some lenses. Like the
DA16-45/4, the front is rather exposed and the hood is too big for
my bag.

Click to expand...

Alan, the hood reverses onto the lens and takes up very little space

Member said:

This is where you might find some good deals. I recommend HOYA DMC
Clear if you just want a protector. HMC SUPER UV(0) is also
excellent. But some HOYA MC CPL don't have front thread so better
ask.
http://shop.vendio.com/hkd/category/2/
--
Alan Chan
http://www.pbase.com/wlachan

Click to expand...

--
Heinrich
Airdrie, Alberta. Canada
PBase supporter
WSSA member # 58
http://www.pbase.com/hlohmann
http://www.lohmann.ca/heinrich

glucozze said:

i use UV or polarizing, permanentely for protection...
the 50mm1.7 have flare problem with it so i remove it if i want to
shoot an artificial light

the other no problem
(just the polarrizing which darken my viewfinder....but it's not a
big problem)

Click to expand...

I use UV or clear. I do not permanently mount a polarizing filter, for a couple reasons: the loss of light; the unnecessary effects it presents with colors. I use a CPL for reducing glare and nothing else. If there's no glare, it stays in my filter wallet.

--
Charlie Self
http://www.charlieselfonline.com

Hoya coatings damage easily, even the Hoya Super HMC. if you want durable filters, you get B+W MRC or Heliopan. the brass rings are also stiffer and less likely to bind. i don't own any UV or protective filters. when i start shooting in adverse conditions, i will get protective filters as they are cheaper and perform all the function that is needed. DSLRs are barely affected by UV while they are more easily affected by flare than film cameras. except for blowing stuff getting on the lens, a filter can't protect against anything else. drop a lens and break the filter, the lens is out of alignment too. hoods provide better impact protection and do some flare control too.

Herb...

The only filter that I use on digital is a polorizer when needed. The lens hood is always on when the lens is on the camera.
--
Heinrich
Airdrie, Alberta. Canada
PBase supporter
WSSA member # 58
http://www.pbase.com/hlohmann
http://www.lohmann.ca/heinrich