RF 50mm f1.2 users (and probably EF version as well), do you use a protective filter on it?

Master619 wrote:

Let me start off by saying that I'm typically not a filter guy. I don't use any filters on any of my lens, unless it's for special purposes like ND and polarizers (and very rarely as well). I followed the (somewhat common) mindset that if I've paid a good amount of money for top-notch glass, I don't want to put some cheap glass in front of it. I've rocked multiple big, heavy, large front lenses like the Sony 100-400, various 70-200 including the IS ii, 85mm f1.2,... with just their hoods and no filter needed.

But now that I just got the RF 50mm f1.2, the front moving parts of it got me a bit concerned (and I noticed the previous EF version also had that). So for you guys who have been using them for a long time, do you feel the need to have a filter to prevent dust from getting into the inside of the lens? Is the weather seal reliable? Are some blower squeezes at the end of each session enough? If you use a filter, which one did you go with? Did it affect the IQ in any noticeable way?

Any input is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

I never use a protective filter on any lens. Ever. In fact my 50 1.2 is the last lens I'd ever do that to if somehow I was forced to start the practice. It has the best optics of any lens I have ever owned. Why would I want to screw that up by adding something else to the front of it that the only possible effect would be to degrade the image quality of such a fine lens?

Lens hoods and lens caps are for protection. Filters are for changing the way the image is recorded.

In 30+ years of photography I've never used any sort of protective filter. I've never managed to damage any lens, but once did load a camera/lens to someone and it came back with a chip in the front lens element. Lesson learned, don't lend your camera gear out to others.

People worry way too much about something happening to the front of their lenses when in fact it is actually very hard to do something to a lens that actually produces a noticeable effect on the image recorded. In my case of the lent lens I was never able to detect any effect on the images taken with that lens and it actually had a chunk of glass missing from the front element.

The most likely way to do something to a lens that would actually impact the images taken with it is by being aggressive and zealous in cleaning the front lens element. Enough small scratches will eventually have an effect, but a single mark, scratch, chip will generally not be detectable.

Save your filter money and go buy something that actually helps you with your photography.