Filter for indoor photography

[plautoq]

Dear Dpreview experts...

Any recommendation for using an specific type filter for indoor shooting ? I'm using a Canon 28-70L lens or Canon 70-200L depending on the situation, and I'm planning to use a good brand UV filter for protection of the lens. I'm not sure if the UV is the best filter for this situation, or would impact the quality of the pictures.

I normally shoot my son doing gymnastic - low light and fast speed movements.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or recommendation.

Cheers.

 

[Mike K]

Read this FAQ about protection (UV) filters

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=807555

Many photographers don't use UV or protection filters as they won't add any optical benefit and can cause internal reflections and glare from light sources. Digital sensors don't have the issues with UV that was common with film. As far as protection, that is a very controversial topic, but the best advice whether you choose to use a filter or not is to use a solid hood, and use it as much as possible.
Read the FAQ.

 

[wwoodruff]

+1 on the FAQ.

I have experienced undesirable reflections with filters and indoor photography, so I no longer use them, period.

 

[photonius]

Dear Dpreview experts...

Any recommendation for using an specific type filter for indoor shooting ? I'm using a Canon 28-70L lens or Canon 70-200L depending on the situation, and I'm planning to use a good brand UV filter for protection of the lens. I'm not sure if the UV is the best filter for this situation, or would impact the quality of the pictures.

I normally shoot my son doing gymnastic - low light and fast speed movements.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or recommendation.

You are indoors, what protection do you need? Or do the gymnasts bang fingers and toes into the front of your lens when they do summersaults? Or do they curse and spit like baseball players? Seems like your scenario doesn't really need a protection filter.

Cheers.

--
Life is short, time to zoom in ©

 

[plautoq]

Great article - thanks for pointing me on the right direction. Thanks for everyone that positively contribute to my question.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer for this question then (I heard a 50/50 usage of filters). I personally like the idea to use a good quality filter to keep dust out of the lens, and for protection as well (bad things do happen to good lenses! ). That article gives good information on what to look for as well.

Appreciate all your help and sharing your experience with me. I'll post a few pictures comparing "with" and "without" filters in low light conditions later this week. I would appreciate any feedback as well.

Cheers

 

[Mark B.]

What are you trying to filter? First, sensors already filter out UV so a UV filter isn't necessary at all. Second, indoors you aren't likely to encounter blowing sand and salt air Unless you're going to be shooting at the edge of the mat and are concerned with a foot going through the lens, a filter is absolutely unnecessary other than lightening your wallet.

Mark

Dear Dpreview experts...

Any recommendation for using an specific type filter for indoor shooting ? I'm using a Canon 28-70L lens or Canon 70-200L depending on the situation, and I'm planning to use a good brand UV filter for protection of the lens. I'm not sure if the UV is the best filter for this situation, or would impact the quality of the pictures.

I normally shoot my son doing gymnastic - low light and fast speed movements.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or recommendation.

Cheers.

 

[Shorthand]

platoq -

In the days of film, one would use tungsten or fluorescent white balance filters indoors to restore the white balance to the right value. However, in the digital world, one of the truly great things is that we can apply color filters after the fact .

Therefore, I almost never use filters in traditional indoor settings.

Exceptions:

• Polarizer for reflections: if you want to shoot through a window at an angle and kill the reflection or if there is a fountain where you want to manage those reflections, then a polarized light filter (CPL) can be valuable.
• ND for really long exposures: I have never done this, but with an ND filter, you could really make a space look deserted.

Good protective filters ideally have no photographic effect, so there is no reason to use them or not to use them if you're indoors.

 

[plautoq]

Great comments guys. I do agree that not using a filter is a good thing. So, how do you keep dust out of the lenses ? Any good tips for cleaning the lens ? Some of the gyms are not the best clean environment, and dust (coming from the mats) and chalk sometimes are everywhere. And I do get as close of the action as I can - so nobody can be in front of my lens and the action - people do move a lot during the exercises.

Thanks again! I appreciate all good comments.

 

[Shorthand]

The dust doesn't come in to the lens through the front element but instead through the joint where it expands and breathes.

There is no keeping it out.

 

[photonius]

Great comments guys. I do agree that not using a filter is a good thing. So, how do you keep dust out of the lenses ? Any good tips for cleaning the lens ? Some of the gyms are not the best clean environment, and dust (coming from the mats) and chalk sometimes are everywhere. And I do get as close of the action as I can - so nobody can be in front of my lens and the action - people do move a lot during the exercises.

Ok, if the dust is not sticky, then a rocketblower would be fine.

If you do find that dust can become an issue, and tends to stick and you need to clean a lot, then a filter may be an option. I don't know about the properties of gymnast chalk, if it can scratch/interact with lens coatings.
A good multicoated filter, B+W MRC, or Hoya HD, for example, would be fine.
But as mentioned, you may also have to look at the rest of your gear carefully.

If the chalk is similar to gypsum (construction), then it can be aggressive and corrosive to metal, and the fine dust goes everywhere.

Thanks again! I appreciate all good comments.

--
Life is short, time to zoom in ©