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UV Filter Recommendation

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MinAZ

MinAZ

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I just bought a Nikon N70 and accompanying kit lens for a good price and I am looking into buying a UV filter both to protect my investment, and, more importantly, to cut out the UV rays.

I was wondering if anyone would have recommendations as to a good yet inexpensive brand... I know that there are a few "premium" brands and regular brands. I would like to know how important really is single-/multi-coating and if a cheap filter is still able to block out the UV light as well as an expensive one. And if there is really any difference between brands or just pick the cheapest one?
 
Actually, I have forgotten entirely about the lens hood. I am concerned about getting one though as I have read that they can cause vignetting at certain focal lengths - I will have to look into that.

However, in addition to flare, I am also concerned with cutting out the UV light.
 
Your question shows up several times a week and there have been hundreds of similar threads in the past........read this member's post and if you like you might as well read the rest of the posts in the thread this informative one came from........

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53401787
 
Thanks for the reply and link, Hank. That certainly is a very informative post. However, the poster did seem to gloss over the main reason for having a UV filter - to filter UV light. I have to say he does make a great argument for not caring about the "protecting the front element" aspect of things, although by the same token he also did say that image quality is not necessarily negatively impacted. I may actually have to go out and buy a cheap UV filter and take a few shots to see if there is any image degradation from UV rays (assuming of course that I buy a good one and it is efficient in filtering UV rays and doesn't cause other image degradation)... As the original poster said in the thread linked, my head hurts...
 
Digital cameras aren't affected at all by UV rays as the older film cameras were. Some say UV filters may help in extreme high altitudes only.

If you must get one don't get a cheap one as they will introduce flare since they aren't coated. Look into the B&W MRC (Multi Resistant Coatings) UV filters.

--
"Five out of four people have trouble with fractions."
Regards,
Hank
 
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MinAZ said:
I just bought a Nikon N70 and accompanying kit lens for a good price and I am looking into buying a UV filter both to protect my investment, and, more importantly, to cut out the UV rays.

I was wondering if anyone would have recommendations as to a good yet inexpensive brand... I know that there are a few "premium" brands and regular brands. I would like to know how important really is single-/multi-coating and if a cheap filter is still able to block out the UV light as well as an expensive one. And if there is really any difference between brands or just pick the cheapest one?
Click to expand...
1. Digital cameras do not need protection from UV. There is already a UV filter in front of the sensor.

2. Unless you're shooting in extremely bad conditions - a beach during a hurricane, for example, all you're doing is throwing money away.

Use the correct lens hood all the time, this will protect the image from lens flare. A cheap filter will greatly increase your chances of flare. Also, the hood will do an excellent job of protecting the lens. Finally, the front lens element is much stronger than most people think. The same thing that might scratch a filter - therefore costing you the price of a new one - will not damage the lens element. I'm not just talking out the side of my mouth - after about 20 years of shooting with interchangeable lenses, nothing bad has ever happened to my lenses that are protected with nothing more than the hood. Besides, how do you protect the rest of the lens mechanism as well as the non-sealed camera body from whatever you're worried about hitting the front of the lens?

Mark
 
MinAZ said:
Actually, I have forgotten entirely about the lens hood. I am concerned about getting one though as I have read that they can cause vignetting at certain focal lengths - I will have to look into that.
Click to expand...
The proper lens hood will not cause vignetting.
 
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Mark B. said:
MinAZ said:
I just bought a Nikon N70 and accompanying kit lens for a good price and I am looking into buying a UV filter both to protect my investment, and, more importantly, to cut out the UV rays.

I was wondering if anyone would have recommendations as to a good yet inexpensive brand... I know that there are a few "premium" brands and regular brands. I would like to know how important really is single-/multi-coating and if a cheap filter is still able to block out the UV light as well as an expensive one. And if there is really any difference between brands or just pick the cheapest one?
Click to expand...
1. Digital cameras do not need protection from UV. There is already a UV filter in front of the sensor.
Click to expand...
Did you read the post? Never heard of a nikon n70, digicam. It's a film SLR! So UV filter is ok!
Member said:
2. Unless you're shooting in extremely bad conditions - a beach during a hurricane, for example, all you're doing is throwing money away.

Use the correct lens hood all the time, this will protect the image from lens flare. A cheap filter will greatly increase your chances of flare. Also, the hood will do an excellent job of protecting the lens. Finally, the front lens element is much stronger than most people think. The same thing that might scratch a filter - therefore costing you the price of a new one - will not damage the lens element. I'm not just talking out the side of my mouth - after about 20 years of shooting with interchangeable lenses, nothing bad has ever happened to my lenses that are protected with nothing more than the hood. Besides, how do you protect the rest of the lens mechanism as well as the non-sealed camera body from whatever you're worried about hitting the front of the lens?

Mark
Click to expand...
Read more carefully before you spout a long post again, lol!
 
RedFox88 said:
Mark B. said:
1. Digital cameras do not need protection from UV. There is already a UV filter in front of the sensor.
Click to expand...
Did you read the post? Never heard of a nikon n70, digicam. It's a film SLR! So UV filter is ok!
Click to expand...
That's ok ......... then he's even.

The OP must not have read the DPR fine print....., Digital Photography Review...... :-O

--
"Five out of four people have trouble with fractions."
Regards,
Hank
 
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RedFox88 said:
Mark B. said:
MinAZ said:
I just bought a Nikon N70 and accompanying kit lens for a good price and I am looking into buying a UV filter both to protect my investment, and, more importantly, to cut out the UV rays.

I was wondering if anyone would have recommendations as to a good yet inexpensive brand... I know that there are a few "premium" brands and regular brands. I would like to know how important really is single-/multi-coating and if a cheap filter is still able to block out the UV light as well as an expensive one. And if there is really any difference between brands or just pick the cheapest one?
Click to expand...
1. Digital cameras do not need protection from UV. There is already a UV filter in front of the sensor.
Click to expand...
Did you read the post? Never heard of a nikon n70, digicam. It's a film SLR! So UV filter is ok!
Click to expand...
Ok. Though I don't know why the OP couldn't have mentioned that in this DIGITAL gear forum. I stopped trying to keep track of model names.
RedFox88 said:
RedFox88 said:
2. Unless you're shooting in extremely bad conditions - a beach during a hurricane, for example, all you're doing is throwing money away.

Use the correct lens hood all the time, this will protect the image from lens flare. A cheap filter will greatly increase your chances of flare. Also, the hood will do an excellent job of protecting the lens. Finally, the front lens element is much stronger than most people think. The same thing that might scratch a filter - therefore costing you the price of a new one - will not damage the lens element. I'm not just talking out the side of my mouth - after about 20 years of shooting with interchangeable lenses, nothing bad has ever happened to my lenses that are protected with nothing more than the hood. Besides, how do you protect the rest of the lens mechanism as well as the non-sealed camera body from whatever you're worried about hitting the front of the lens?

Mark
Click to expand...
Read more carefully before you spout a long post again, lol!
Click to expand...
Actually, I stand 100% behind point #2. There's nothing there that doesn't also apply to film bodies, which is where I started out. LOL.
 
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Ultra violet rays do not affect digital cameras. I wonder how many thousands or millions of dollars are spent by those who do not know on UV filters for digital cameras that are useless. UV filters were used on film cameras because the film was sensitive to UV. UV has no effect on your camera's sensor. However the sensor sees infrared at the other end of the spectrum but does not effect image quality. I can look at my TV remote control thru my digital display on my mirrorless camera and see the infrared led flashing.
 
:-D

--
"Five out of four people have trouble with fractions."
Regards,
Hank
 
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My apologies, I had forgotten to mention this fine point (that the N70 is a film camera).

I am just going to go with a cheapo UV filter and just see if I see any problems and if not that pretty much solves it for $10. And if it does, then I can always invest in a more expensive filter later.
 
As has been pointed out many times, UV does not go through a lens, unless it is quartz glass. If you wish to use a filter for protection against damage, why not buy a Nikon one? They are reasonably priced and good quality for use with Nikon lenses.
 
For the most part. Film has also evolved greatly in the past few decades and is nowhere near as sensitive to UV as it used to be.
 
MinAZ said:
My apologies, I had forgotten to mention this fine point (that the N70 is a film camera).

I am just going to go with a cheapo UV filter and just see if I see any problems and if not that pretty much solves it for $10. And if it does, then I can always invest in a more expensive filter later.
Click to expand...
If you find your cheapo filter introduces flare, check out the Lenstip review (or just remove the filter when shooting into or close to a bright light).

The advice to use a properly designed lens hood is good.

HTH
 
Except in extreme cases. ALL glass filters out UV rays.
 
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