Photography Thailand Forum

[agitlits]

Hello all,

All of my lenses have UV filters on the front (msotly Hoya PRO) almost 100 % of the time.

Do you recommend using one or does it deteriorate the image quality?

Thanks

Alex

[David Salmanowitz]

Alex--Found this post of mine from last year. I never use filters with digital except for polarizers and neutral density (either screw on or square reverse grads). The reason is the filter cuts off light angling in from the sides on its way to the sensor. Do I notice an incredible difference from when I had a filter on the lens--no, but I want the maximum amount of data to reach the sensor; same reason I shoot in RAW and slightly overexpose to the right, as that is where the majority of data is in a digital file and I just bring it down post processing. Was a hard habit to break but since I got my first SLR many many years ago I always kept a filter on the lens thinking rather scratch a filter than a lens, but all seems fine since I stopped with filters for protection. I always have a lens hood on (to reduce glare and I am clumsy bumping into things) and just put back on the lens cap when needed. Another good reason for lens hoods is if you have the misfortune to drop a camera (sadly I have) often the hood can take the brunt of the damage and save the lens and camera.
Alex, if I was in the desert w/sand blowing everywhere sure I might put on a filter for protection, perhaps at the beach if salt spray was  flying everywhere, but have shot in a lot of adverse conditions since taking off the UV filters and all has been well.

[Marc Schultz]

Great advice David. I have also started taking off all protective filters when shooting in the studio as well. I haven't done much outdoor shooting lately, but I think I plan to do the same when I do. I think better to keep the filter on initially though for protection from bumping your glass because that is one of the main reasons I use one at all and, once you get settled in your shooting position, then remove the filter and put your hood on and you should be OK.

Alex - What I would suggest though is if you are going to use protective filters at all then use one that at least has no UV protection on it. It can modify colors and reduce light as David said, none of which is good or needed with digital. I realize you have already invested in a bunch of Hoya UV filters, but what I would use instead would either be Canon's own "Protect" filters, which are just a clear glass protective filter or the ones from Hoya which I think are called Hoya Pro 1 Digital Protective filters or something like that. I normally buy them for about US$20-$25 on eBay from HK based sellers and they are much cheaper than the Canon ones. They have a thinner frame too which is much better for any lens that is 24mm or wider to help avoid any possible vignetting from the wider framed Canon filters. I hope that helps and if you don't want to spend the extra money for new filters then just remove the filters when you shoot as David suggested.

[David Salmanowitz]

Marc--Canon and Nikon filters are good, and for their lenses with filter slots in the back I believe sometimes no choice. Still think the Germans have the edge when it comes to good glass. It is more than savvy marketing that allows Leitz lenses to cost a lot more than Nikon or Canon lenses which are not cheap to begin with. I have tried many different filters over a lot of years, but for a long time now the only ones I wanted in front of my good Nikon or Canon glass were B&W or Heliopan (German) or Singh-Ray (USA). If someone has spent a lot of $ for an expensive lens might as well spend a bit more for a great filter, and not put some cheap glass in front of it. Any glass, even the good stuff, is one more thing between the lens and the subject and will degrade optimal quality, though not always noticeable.

[Marc Schultz]

Again, good advice David. I guess I am not so fussy when it comes to the clear protective filters because it is just clear glass rather than a filter that is coated with UV or some other form of protection on it.

I just bought an unused, but second hand Canon 100mm macro lens from someone, and the guy was nice enough to throw in a nice B&W filter with it. Even still, I will remove the filter on all studio shoots when shooting with it and just leave the hood on.

[Ray Evans]

I raised this issue previously but see the attached link

For me I always have a "protective" filter attached but inevitably remove it when shooting - just don't want my lenses accidentally damaged.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-feb-05.shtml

[agitlits]

Thanks very much for the evice, everone!

Lot of good discussion here. I think I will keep the filters on when not in use, but remove when shooting.

Thanks again

Alex

[Puffypop]

Hello all,

All of my lenses have UV filters on the front (msotly Hoya PRO) almost 100 % of the time.

Do you recommend using one or does it deteriorate the image quality?

Thanks

Alex

I'd always keep my UV/Skylight filter on my lenses at all times for a few reasons:
1) Protection. A UV filter is cheap enough and as I enjoy shooting in cold countries, it acts like a barrier against snow.
2) Its always easier to clean or replace a UV filter than a lens
3) The 'image deterioration" with a UV filter on is not very visible to me

[BJS]

I almost always use a protection filter/UV filter.  After reading this thread, it is making think back to before I installed filters on my lenses.  It seems my photos haven't been as sharp since I installed the filters.  I will be doing some tests shots with and with out the filters when I get home to see if this may be my problem.  Thanks!

[Marc Schultz]

I almost always take them off now for all shoots. Might as well. I think better than taking a risk at softening your pictures with another layer of glass, unless you are shooting in a crowd where your camera might get bumped or in a place with a lot of wind or dust.

[agitlits]

Yes, I think it makes sense to use your judgement depending on the circumstances. If shooting near crashing sea waves or snow and rain, I'd definitely use a filtre. In normal conditions or indoors I tend to always take the filtre off. I hate thinking I didn't use the best of my lens by putting a layer of cheap glass in front of it.

Alex

[Marc Schultz]

All good points and examples too Alex.

[AmazingThailand]

Yes and no.

No, in the studio.  No real need, unless you are shooting kids up close 

Yes, always when shooting around sand and water (ie: the beach), and especially if it is windy near the ocean.

On a windy day at the beach it is amazing the grit and grime that can build up on the filter.  I would rather trash a filter than try to replace the front element on any lens.

Also yes, any time I am shooting kids.  They tend to be unpredictable and love to grab at things.

[Marc Schultz]

Very good analysis and summary. I very much agree.

[Khun Hans]

For digital only ND and Pol for me For lens/glass protection use the lens hood. Others may thinks different.
Hans