Reading mode: Light Dark

Do You Use a "Protective" UV Filter?

Go to last post
Jerry Canon

Jerry Canon

Leading Member
Messages
875
Reaction score
136
Location
Asheville, US
I've always been big on the use of a protective UV filter on my interchangable DSLR lenses. I haven't picked up a 49mm yet for my NEX 5's 18-55 and I'm kinda' leaning toward omitting it here in this case. What are you Guys feelings on this one?
--
Jerry
 
CipherX said:
What are they actually used for & pros/cons? Thanks.

[EDIT] Found the answer:
http://photo.net/equipment/filters/
Click to expand...
-Well, primarily to protect the front lens element from scratches, fingerprints, weather etc. It's cheaper to replace an inexpensive UV filter than a front lens element or even worse the entire lens!

It's not good to have to be constantly be cleaning the front element and running the chance of scratching it or damaging its delicate coatings.

The downside is the fact that you've added two more air-to-glass surfaces that can't do anything but slightly degrade image quality and potentially create distortion, glare or unwanted reflections.
Jerry
 
I use them on my lenses. There are varying thoughts, but for me it's easier to clean the filter than the lens. As stated above it prevents scratching the lens coating.
 
Being my first interchangeable lens camera, I wanted to be extra careful and picked up a Hoya HMC UV filter for all the reasons listed above.
 
Jerry Canon said:
I've always been big on the use of a protective UV filter on my interchangable DSLR lenses. I haven't picked up a 49mm yet for my NEX 5's 18-55 and I'm kinda' leaning toward omitting it here in this case. What are you Guys feelings on this one?
Click to expand...
Of course NOT. If I buy a lens for several 100 bucks I want the best out of it. Any glass you put between the lens and the object does affect the IQ - but not in a good way.

Regards,
Karsten

PS: We have no sand storms here. And even if - the sand would get into the lens, but not though the front element.
 
+1

I also use it instead of a lens cap. I also use a Hoya HMC. No vignette, can't tell the difference.

cheers!
Muskokan said:
I use them. I like to stuff my camera in my bag without a lens cap. In my circumstances, nothing loses me the shot(s) I want more than fiddling with a lens cap , hence the ND filter
--
http://picasaweb.google.com/BlackCanoeDog
Click to expand...
 
Sand can become an issue of it is blowing against the front element. Regardless, I agree, though, that UV filters can affect contrast, increase flare, etc. This is an age old debate, and each needs to weigh his/her own needs. Most seem to be ok with slightly degrading IQ in some scenarios for protection, but I'm generally not.
Karsten Meyer said:
Jerry Canon said:
I've always been big on the use of a protective UV filter on my interchangable DSLR lenses. I haven't picked up a 49mm yet for my NEX 5's 18-55 and I'm kinda' leaning toward omitting it here in this case. What are you Guys feelings on this one?
Click to expand...
Of course NOT. If I buy a lens for several 100 bucks I want the best out of it. Any glass you put between the lens and the object does affect the IQ - but not in a good way.

Regards,
Karsten

PS: We have no sand storms here. And even if - the sand would get into the lens, but not though the front element.
Click to expand...
 
Yep I use a UV filter. Advice would be to get one that is more bang for buck.

A multicoated Hoya or Kenko would be fine for your 18-55 and will probably save you the hassle of a delicate lens element clean should you get dust or grime on your lens front.

Stay away from the single coated or no-name brands for filters however, those will definitely see a drop in lens performance.
 
As I take my NEX to parties and end up handing it off to people so thay can take a photo of me with my friends, I have found that many (most?) people do not know enough to keep their cotton picking fingers off my optics. (the smaller the camera, the bigger this problem seems to be)

So I now use a protective (UV) filter. I would rather clean the UV filter than the front element of my lens.

--

The greatest of mankind's criminals are those who delude themselves into thinking they have done 'the right thing.'
  • Rayna Butler
 
GodSpeaks said:
As I take my NEX to parties and end up handing it off to people so thay can take a photo of me with my friends, I have found that many (most?) people do not know enough to keep their cotton picking fingers off my optics. (the smaller the camera, the bigger this problem seems to be)

So I now use a protective (UV) filter. I would rather clean the UV filter than the front element of my lens.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I also use them in such occasions from time to time.

For those interested, here is an interesting UV filter test among different brands.

http://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test.html
 
A question about whether or not to use a UV (or protective) filter always gets answered by two camps:

1) Always
2) Never!!!!!!!!!!!

Me, I always use one. Like others above my cameras go in and out of their cases constantly and I leave the lens cap off so the filter takes the hit, not the lens, nor my patience in messing with the lens cap constantly.

I buy my filters here:

http://www.2filter.com/
 
+1

I like not having to fiddle with/keep track of a lens cap.

I have the Sony version (with the Zeiss coating) on all of our NEXs and it has been working out well.
  • k
 
I use a UV filter on my lenses when I know I'll be outside for an extended period of time- trips to the park, on vacations etc. But if I'm indoors (60-70% of the time in these months), I leave them off.
 
I came to the Nex knowing nothing about this sort of stuff, but being the obsessive googling sort, I've now researched this quite a lot. Just to add to what everyone else said (to save other noobs having to do as much googling as I did):
  • the Hoya HMC filters are well regarded by many as good value for money, and people who do believe in using UV filters for protection would consider using these on their kit lenses. For their better lenses, they'd usually use something better.
  • the Hoya HMC(UV)(o) filter that topped the list at the lenstip test headofdestiny posted the link to has been phased out and replaced with the HMC(UV)(c). According to the following threads, the difference between the versions is that the new version is made in the Philippines instead of Japan, and the new version is slimmer.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85153
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=801625

Follow-on question for anyone using lens hoods who also buys old lenses: some lenses I bought didn't come with hoods, and the original hoods are either quite pricy on ebay (Zuiko 50/1.8) or (in the case of the Vivitar 28/2.8 Close Focus) don't seem to have existed at all. So at the moment, UV filters are the only protection I can give these lenses. Any tips on how to pick out generic ebay hoods?
 
...
Jerry Canon said:
-Well, primarily to protect the front lens element from scratches, fingerprints, weather etc. It's cheaper to replace an inexpensive UV filter than a front lens element or even worse the entire lens!

It's not good to have to be constantly be cleaning the front element and running the chance of scratching it or damaging its delicate coatings.
Click to expand...
I've seen web pages where someone purposefully scratched and damaged an old lens just to show how little effect it has on the resulting photo. Yeah I clean my lenses, but I'm not nearly as obsessive about it. Also, when I do clean, I have these really soft wipes made for photography use (not paper towels, not my shirt, etc.).
Jerry Canon said:
The downside is the fact that you've added two more air-to-glass surfaces that can't do anything but slightly degrade image quality and potentially create distortion, glare or unwanted reflections.
Click to expand...
After seeing a website illustrating the glare issues, I've decided it's not worth the bother to have a UV filter. Now I have to obsess as to whether or not I need to have an expensive multicoated polarizer or if a cheap one will do, for the few times I actually use it.
Jerry Canon said:
Jerry
Click to expand...
--
Gary W.
 
A UV filter may have been more needed in decades past when lens glass was softer and more susceptible to scratches. But a UV filter will cause image degradation more often than actually protecting your lens. A UV filter will cause filter flare if the sun hits it from an angle where the light then bounces back and forth between the filter and lens glass as well as indoors with filter flare again with indoor lights. The indoor lights can easily get "mirrored" around the image.

I've read several "what is this on my photo?" posts and the answer being filter flare. A lens hood will protect your lens much more than a UV filter because a hood actually improves image quality be eliminating stray light and improving contrast.
--
http://roberthoy.zenfolio.com/
http://www.photographybyhoy.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top