Should I use UV Filters?

[jeremyInMT]

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I might be succeeding at it
anyway...

and quite well, I might add.

takes two to tango.

How many images would you like to see where a UV filter caused no
problems AT ALL? I have maybe 2,000 uploaded to Pbase and another
15,000 or so on my HDD. Flash shots? Night shots? Portriats?
Candids? Sports? Landscapes? How many will it take?

yes, I'd like you to post 15,000 or more images please. Again, I have already said what I'd like to see. Please stop asking what I'd like to see. You already know.

Each individual is capable of making a decision given the correct
information. After weighing the plusses and minuses, some choose to
use a "protection" filter, some don't. You are not following your
sig motto by providing incorrect information.

I am not providing incorrect information Phil. If people actually care about their lenses and equipment, they should be insured. I'd rather spend 89 a year on insurance than put UV filters on for protection. I will say that if I'm around seaspray or other flying debris, I wouldn't hesitate to use a UV for protection.
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[Alex Chandra]

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I might be succeeding at it
anyway...

and quite well, I might add.

takes two to tango.

How many images would you like to see where a UV filter caused no
problems AT ALL? I have maybe 2,000 uploaded to Pbase and another
15,000 or so on my HDD. Flash shots? Night shots? Portriats?
Candids? Sports? Landscapes? How many will it take?

yes, I'd like you to post 15,000 or more images please. Again,
I have already said what I'd like to see. Please stop asking what
I'd like to see. You already know.

Each individual is capable of making a decision given the correct
information. After weighing the plusses and minuses, some choose to
use a "protection" filter, some don't. You are not following your
sig motto by providing incorrect information.

I am not providing incorrect information Phil.

If people actually

care about their lenses and equipment, they should be insured.

I'd rather spend 89 a year on insurance than put UV filters on for

protection.

I am trying to get insurance for my lenses and camera but every insurance company only cover it if I have renter or house insurance which is I don't have yest". Do you know what company that can cover camera and lenses only for long period of time of just for short period of time (vacations)

I will say that if I'm around seaspray or other flying

debris, I wouldn't hesitate to use a UV for protection.
D70 and photo discussion
D70 custom tone curves @ http://forum.mastersphoto.net

--

 

[Phil Youngblood]

yes, I'd like you to post 15,000 or more images please. Again,
I have already said what I'd like to see. Please stop asking what
I'd like to see. You already know.

Shoot them yourself. Considering your attitude, you would just accse me of loading the test. I already know the results so have no need to shoot.

Each individual is capable of making a decision given the correct
information. After weighing the plusses and minuses, some choose to
use a "protection" filter, some don't. You are not following your
sig motto by providing incorrect information.

I am not providing incorrect information Phil.

Oh, but you are by saying a UV will always cause visible image degradation. That is simply not true.

If people actually
care about their lenses and equipment, they should be insured. I'd
rather spend 89 a year on insurance than put UV filters on for
protection.

The majority of front element damage is not caused by accidental damage, flying rocks and the like. It is caused by excessive cleaning -- acid breath "huffed" and then the dust and acid fog are rubbed with the edge of a shirt -- dirty cleaning cloths -- volatile solvents. That's wear and tear -- not covered by most insurance.

I will say that if I'm around seaspray or other flying
debris, I wouldn't hesitate to use a UV for protection.

Like I said it's a personal decision each must make given the correct information but is certainly not worthy of this level of drama. You want to use a UV filter? Fine. You don't want to use a filter? That's perfectly OK with me but don't spread unnecessary FUD.

Phil

 

[Kriss001]

That's a good tip Phil. I don't plan on putting my UV on again, at least for protection but it is an interesting concept about the lens hood. Since my bad experience with a UV filter on, I can totally see where the light bouncing around on the filter and between the layers of glass could have caused the problems I was experiencing. I can see where a lens hood would rectify that situation at least to some degree. Perhaps if I was shooting in bad weather with the sand blowing around here, I would be tempted to put one on, but then again, I don't think I would take my camera out in those conditions. I have never heard of anyone scratching their lens by not having one on. I imagine it's possible but you'd have to work at it. Just my $.02.

Regards,

Kriss

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'I want to die like my grandfather, peacefully in his sleep. Not like the passengers in his car'...

 

[jeremyInMT]

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I might be succeeding at it
anyway...

and quite well, I might add.

takes two to tango.

How many images would you like to see where a UV filter caused no
problems AT ALL? I have maybe 2,000 uploaded to Pbase and another
15,000 or so on my HDD. Flash shots? Night shots? Portriats?
Candids? Sports? Landscapes? How many will it take?

yes, I'd like you to post 15,000 or more images please. Again,
I have already said what I'd like to see. Please stop asking what
I'd like to see. You already know.

Each individual is capable of making a decision given the correct
information. After weighing the plusses and minuses, some choose to
use a "protection" filter, some don't. You are not following your
sig motto by providing incorrect information.

I am not providing incorrect information Phil.

If people actually

care about their lenses and equipment, they should be insured.

I'd rather spend 89 a year on insurance than put UV filters on for

protection.

I am trying to get insurance for my lenses and camera but every
insurance company only cover it if I have renter or house insurance
which is I don't have yest". Do you know what company that can
cover camera and lenses only for long period of time of just for
short period of time (vacations)

I don't actually. I went to State Farm and they told me it would be hard to get insurance just for the camera. I decided to get renter's insurance because I think it's a good idea because it's so cheap. I shouldn't have procrastinated it until now really. As for short term insurance on your stuff, I think that would be VERY difficult to get, unless perhaps you had renter's or home owner's insurance already.

I will say that if I'm around seaspray or other flying

debris, I wouldn't hesitate to use a UV for protection.
D70 and photo discussion
D70 custom tone curves @ http://forum.mastersphoto.net

--

--
See if you can help someone in a forum today!

D70 and photo discussion
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[jeremyInMT]

yes, I'd like you to post 15,000 or more images please. Again,
I have already said what I'd like to see. Please stop asking what
I'd like to see. You already know.

Shoot them yourself. Considering your attitude, you would just
accse me of loading the test. I already know the results so have no
need to shoot.

Phil, you did throw down the gauntlet by asking if folks wanted to bet on it, right? Then I just asked for a few shots, that's all.

Each individual is capable of making a decision given the correct
information. After weighing the plusses and minuses, some choose to
use a "protection" filter, some don't. You are not following your
sig motto by providing incorrect information.

I am not providing incorrect information Phil.

Oh, but you are by saying a UV will always cause visible image
degradation. That is simply not true.

I said it would cause degradation, and I said you may be able to see it and you may not. That doesn't translate to "always cause visible image degradation".

The majority of front element damage is not caused by accidental
damage, flying rocks and the like. It is caused by excessive
cleaning -- acid breath "huffed" and then the dust and acid fog are
rubbed with the edge of a shirt -- dirty cleaning cloths --
volatile solvents. That's wear and tear -- not covered by most
insurance.

If there is junk flying around, I'll protect my lens. I won't be using my shirt and breath on the lens either.

I will say that if I'm around seaspray or other flying
debris, I wouldn't hesitate to use a UV for protection.

Like I said it's a personal decision each must make given the
correct information but is certainly not worthy of this level of
drama. You want to use a UV filter? Fine. You don't want to use a
filter? That's perfectly OK with me but don't spread unnecessary
FUD.

I'm not. Constantly using a UV filter, is, IMO living in FUD, but maybe having insurance is too.

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[Mikhail Bogdanov]

Hey Kriss, I think I remember the shot you've mentioned (river gorge one - right?). All this fuss and noise about filters affecting image quality is much exacerbated. Of course you'll have more flare under some circumstances with filter, however the light should hit the filter/front element under certain angle - that's one of the reasons why the hood is so important, especially when there is a filter. That said, filters don't always help to protect a lens - few years afo I damaged a fairly expensive L lens with both hood and filter on ;-)
Cheers

Kriss001 wrote:

 

[Kriss001]

Good memory you have there. Yes, it was the shot of the river gorge you remember. I also noticed a lot of my shots, expecially lanscape ones weren't coming out well until I took the filter off. I haven't had a problem since. Coincidence? I don't think so. I do think that if I dropped my camera with the 70-200 on it, the BEST UV filter isn't going to protect it.

I agree that it's really a matter of choice. If you have good luck with one, then by all means use one. If you notice your photos coming out lousy, then take it off. That Bill K. guy swears by his sux2000-32.7 77mm filter.

Regards,

Kriss

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D-70, Kit, 50/1.8, 70-200VR, 200f/4AFED, SB-800, GitzoG2220, Bogen/Manfrotto 3245 Auto Monopod, Bogen 322 RC2 Grip Head, Canon500D Close-up Filter, Nikon 6T Close-up Filter.

'I want to die like my grandfather, peacefully in his sleep. Not like the passengers in his car'...

 

[Bill Karadimos]

I tell you , You won't find a better filter than the sux2000-32.7 77mm filter.
--

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - ' Wow! What a ride!'

 

[talmy]

Is this some sort of a sarcastic joke? I hope so.
(My experience with UV filters is that they are all sux)

 

[Kriss001]

Can be found here:



Regards,

Kriss

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See if I'm online, ICQ# 1326088
Check out my photo site if you have some time!
http://voyager01.deviantart.com/gallery/

D-70, Kit, 50/1.8, 70-200VR, 200f/4AFED, SB-800, GitzoG2220, Bogen/Manfrotto 3245 Auto Monopod, Bogen 322 RC2 Grip Head, Canon500D Close-up Filter, Nikon 6T Close-up Filter.

'I want to die like my grandfather, peacefully in his sleep. Not like the passengers in his car'...

 

[Bill Karadimos]

Can be found here:



Regards,

Kriss

--
See if I'm online, ICQ# 1326088
Check out my photo site if you have some time!
http://voyager01.deviantart.com/gallery/

D-70, Kit, 50/1.8, 70-200VR, 200f/4AFED, SB-800, GitzoG2220,
Bogen/Manfrotto 3245 Auto Monopod, Bogen 322 RC2 Grip Head,
Canon500D Close-up Filter, Nikon 6T Close-up Filter.

'I want to die like my grandfather, peacefully in his sleep. Not
like the passengers in his car'...

It is a fantastic filter, The effect you get is great.
--

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - ' Wow! What a ride!'

 

[Bill Karadimos]

Forgot to tell you that with the special grid the filter has you can take a picture and if there is a little branch in the way the filter will omit it.
--

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - ' Wow! What a ride!'

 

[Mikhail Bogdanov]

Hey guys, thanx for a good laugh - that filter is a must have, i want one... Being serious, I don't use filters on lenses which are cheaper than $1K or so - got only two of those ;-(((( Recently I was shooting at night at freezing temp and used a sleeve of my fleece jacket or regular paper towels (didn't have anything else) to wipe the front element of tokina 12-24 (been in and out of my vehicle -> condensate) - absolutely no problems; lens coating isn't as soft as many folks believe. These threads about filters and such often evolve into some sort or religious discussions ;-)
Cheers

 

[Kriss001]

Well put Mikhail. I've had to wipe my VR lens with my shirt to get some water spots off. Of course, I cleaned it properly when I got home. It's as good as new. Now, I can get you those lens filters cheap. They have a special concrete anodized filter built in that can "see" through brick structures.

Regards,

Kriss

--
See if I'm online, ICQ# 1326088
Check out my photo site if you have some time!
http://voyager01.deviantart.com/gallery/

D-70, Kit, 50/1.8, 70-200VR, 200f/4AFED, SB-800, GitzoG2220, Bogen/Manfrotto 3245 Auto Monopod, Bogen 322 RC2 Grip Head, Canon500D Close-up Filter, Nikon 6T Close-up Filter.

'I want to die like my grandfather, peacefully in his sleep. Not like the passengers in his car'...

 

[Lenny C]

I purchased Nikon NC (clear) lens protectors for both of mine. One thing I have noticed is that since the lens protector is now outside the lens barrel, I can easily tell when dust is on it MUCH easier (which is frequently), and therefore wind up dusting off the lens protector all the time. Thus any loss by the additonal glass is more than made up for by the artifacts caused by the dust which would have been on the lens which I would not have been as likely to notice.

 

[Lenny C]

I forgot to mention....take off your NC protector for night scenes...it is prone to cause flares around lights.

 

[AWT]

I've always fitted them, but never done comparisons on image quality. I think I'll get my D50 on a tripod tomorrrow and do two self-timer shots with and without filter to see..

 

[The Winemaker]

Like Morris (and many others), I keep a UV filter on my 18-70 and
80-400VR for protection; I use only quality UV filters (B&W and
Nikon) and I have never been able to detect any distortion. I do
not use a filter on my Nikon 105mm macro because (a) for close up
work, you end up magnifying even a very slight distortion; and (b)
the lens is recessed into the housing, and therefore less exposed
to being damaged.
--
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Kind of a scruffy looking crow there!!
--

Cheers!!
Vernon
Great photography is know where and when to stand!

 

[kenw]

Any extra piece of glass could degrade the image some, but in general it seems to be flare that is the major problem with filters. Regardless of manufacturer get something that is multi-coated. Tests of multicoated vs. uncoated here:

http://www.kenandchristine.com/gallery/1054387

Bottomline, uncoated is awful and I mean really really awful. The multicoateds are actually pretty darn impressive.

And yeah, for a really bad contra light situation I'd take a UV filter off, even a multicoated one. But on the other hand, I just spent two weeks around crashing waves, salt mist, sea lion pups sneezing on my lenses, birds with projectile poop and numerous other hazards and I felt really good I had the filters on!
--
Ken W
Rebel XT, DSC-S85, and a whole lot of 35mm and 4x5 sitting in the closet...