UV Filter, Any Use?

Just wondering... I don't think I've ever been in any situation where I've found any use for the UV filter. Has anyone had any use for it... Please don't mention that is can be used as a lens protector... I'm talking about real photographic uses? I found that the only filter I find useful is the C Pol filter. That is a must!! It works wonders on reflective surfaces. Let me know what you think.

dohdoh

Only time I would use a UV filter is to protect the lens under conditions that are hazardous to the lens itself. Like shooting welding, or shooting in the rain. Both times I'd consider using a lens hood also. As I've posted before, I don't believe in filters for no reason.

Larry Berman

dohdoh said:

Just wondering... I don't think I've ever been in any situation
where I've found any use for the UV filter. Has anyone had any use
for it... Please don't mention that is can be used as a lens
protector... I'm talking about real photographic uses? I found
that the only filter I find useful is the C Pol filter. That is a
must!! It works wonders on reflective surfaces. Let me know what
you think.

Click to expand...

--
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com

dohdoh said:

Just wondering... I don't think I've ever been in any situation
where I've found any use for the UV filter. Has anyone had any use
for it... Please don't mention that is can be used as a lens
protector... I'm talking about real photographic uses? I found
that the only filter I find useful is the C Pol filter. That is a
must!! It works wonders on reflective surfaces. Let me know what
you think.

Click to expand...

If your camera is a 950/990/995, it has already had a glass in front
of the lens. A glass is good enough to cut down the UV ray
significantly, and, as a result, you perhaps do not need a UV filter.
However, this is a general case. A UV filter may still have its use
when taking photos in high attitude or near water front where
strong UV is likely. I have some simple comparisons on my digicam
pages which may show some, but not significant, differerences.
Note that not all UV filters are created equal.

I agree with you that a polarizer is a must. But, you may also
consider a linear one. In general, a linear polarizer does not work
with SLRs that have a flipping mirror. They should work fine with
most, if not all, point-and-shoot digital cameras as I have used
linear polarizers on my 950/990/995/5000 successfully.

You may also consider a number of ND filters.

Cheers,
CK
http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam

I tried to put a high quality Nikon UV filter in front of my CP5K. But I got mostly flare in most of my shots. Is this related to the low quality built in lens of CP5k?

Larry Berman said:

Larry Berman

dohdoh said:

Just wondering... I don't think I've ever been in any situation
where I've found any use for the UV filter. Has anyone had any use
for it... Please don't mention that is can be used as a lens
protector... I'm talking about real photographic uses? I found
that the only filter I find useful is the C Pol filter. That is a
must!! It works wonders on reflective surfaces. Let me know what
you think.

Click to expand...

--
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com

Click to expand...

If you consider the quality of the lens in the CP5K to be low quality, you should spend more time taking pictures than reading the reviews. - no offence intended -

I'd attribute it to extra unnecessary glass surfaces causing flare from the sun. Good reason not to use a UV filter indiscriminately. As I've said. No extra surfaces in front of the lens. They only degrade the image.

Larry Berman

Pixelmanipulator said:

I tried to put a high quality Nikon UV filter in front of my CP5K.
But I got mostly flare in most of my shots. Is this related to the
low quality built in lens of CP5k?

Click to expand...

--
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com

Sorry to intrude on this thread, but my UV filter (Tiffens) is REALLY stuck! It is on my new CP995. I thought it was something you were to have on all the time, soooo much to learn! I keep one on my Cannon Rebel all the time. Is that also a no-no? Anyway, the thing is on there GOOD! Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
Katiedid

Larry Berman said:

Larry Berman

dohdoh said:

Just wondering... I don't think I've ever been in any situation
where I've found any use for the UV filter. Has anyone had any use
for it... Please don't mention that is can be used as a lens
protector... I'm talking about real photographic uses? I found
that the only filter I find useful is the C Pol filter. That is a
must!! It works wonders on reflective surfaces. Let me know what
you think.

Click to expand...

--
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com

Click to expand...

Do you want to remove it? Easiest way is to use one of those flat round rubber drain covers. You can pick one up at any hardware store. Less expensive alternative than those filter rings that do the same thing. I always carry one in my camera bag when traveling. Main purpose is to remove filters, but it doubles in use to help wash clothes.

Two schools of thought.

I never use filters unless they serve a specific purpose, and only use them for that purpose and then put them away.
Then there are the people who buy filters to protect every lens they own.

But like the person who made the initial post in this thread found out, additional glass in front of the lens that doesn't serve a purpose can't possibly improve an image, only degrade it.

Larry Berman

Katiedid said:

Sorry to intrude on this thread, but my UV filter (Tiffens) is
REALLY stuck! It is on my new CP995. I thought it was something
you were to have on all the time, soooo much to learn! I keep
one on my Cannon Rebel all the time. Is that also a no-no?
Anyway, the thing is on there GOOD! Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

--
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com

Larry Berman said:

Do you want to remove it? Easiest way is to use one of those flat
round rubber drain covers. You can pick one up at any hardware
store. Less expensive alternative than those filter rings that do
the same thing. I always carry one in my camera bag when traveling.
Main purpose is to remove filters, but it doubles in use to help
wash clothes.

Two schools of thought.
I never use filters unless they serve a specific purpose, and only
use them for that purpose and then put them away.
Then there are the people who buy filters to protect every lens
they own.

But like the person who made the initial post in this thread found
out, additional glass in front of the lens that doesn't serve a
purpose can't possibly improve an image, only degrade it.

Larry Berman

Click to expand...

I think I have one of those things you mention laying in a drawer somewhere. Thanks for the info!
Katiedid