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Traveling to India: should I get a filter for my Canon EF 24-70 F/2.8 Mk II lens?

Started Jan 12, 2016 | Discussions thread
Michael Fryd
Michael Fryd Forum Pro • Posts: 16,059
Re: Traveling to India: should I get a filter for my Canon EF 24-70 F/2.8 Mk II lens?

Macro guy wrote:

...

Whereas I don't ordinary recommend filters for one's lenses, I think this is a noteworthy exception. India is one of the filthiest places out there. I don't mean just dirty, I mean filthy in every possible way you can imagine and in many ways you can't possibly imagine. There are all kinds of things and people and stuff happening there that's either filthy or spreads the filth or both. You never know what you're going to encounter.

I don't want to rain on your parade and tell you shouldn't go, but definitely put a filter on your lens and get a few to spare. You'll need them.

Good luck

The real danger to a lens, is not dirt on the front element (which can easily be cleaned), but dirt getting into the interior of the lens.

Dirt will not pass through the solid front element into your lens.  The real danger is dirt entering the lens in openings under zoom and focus rings.

A filter provides almost no protection against dust and dirt.

Exception:  there are a small handful of lenses that do require a sealed filter in order to complete the weather sealing of the lens.  If you are shooting with one of these few lenses, then a filter can improve weather sealing.

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