UV Filter Test

Cuong

Interesting article with a surprising result: http://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test_Introduction.html

Cuong

rainbow

Cuong wrote:

Interesting article with a surprising result: http://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test_Introduction.html

Cuong

The differences in results between Hoya (which finished higher) and B&W is that the Hoya filters scored higher on the UV light blocking. However, the B&W filters did better on visible light transmission (which indicates that the antireflection coating is more effective).

I have read (not sure where) that the UV blocking is not important with digital as much as it was with film (due to the sensitivity of film to the UV light). Can someone comment on this?

Thanks for the reference!

Qarik

Cuong wrote:

Interesting article with a surprising result: http://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test_Introduction.html

Cuong

Interesting article. thanks for posting. I use the the B+W filters myself. I am more concerned with visible light and protection then UV filtering myself.

colourbox

rainbow wrote:

I have read (not sure where) that the UV blocking is not important with digital as much as it was with film (due to the sensitivity of film to the UV light). Can someone comment on this.

I would like to hear an opinion on this too, as I have chosen to go completely filterless to remove that additional cheap lens element. I let the lens hood protect the front of the lens.

Nikolai

Very interesting, thanks for sharing!

ziggy53

colourbox wrote:

I would like to hear an opinion on this too, as I have chosen to go completely filterless to remove that additional cheap lens element. I let the lens hood protect the front of the lens.

The vast majority of dSLRs have both UV and IR absorbing glass* in front of the sensor so a separate UV filter on them is really about protecting the front element from scratches. Even micro-scratches, the ones you cannot see, can cause a reduction in contrast, usually not a good thing.

I "do" use filters over my best lenses, and that is so I can clean the filter as frequently as needed. I only clean the front element when I absolutely have to, which is not too often with the filter in front.

I will remove the filter if I know it needs to be removed and I know the conditions under which it should be removed in order to affect image quality.

(* Of course the UV reduction of the bandpass filter in front of the imager is not absolute, so a separate UV filter on the lens may provide additional UV reduction, but, with the UV absorption and subsequent reduction of most lenses, any "need" for UV filtering is unnecessary.)

Manfr3d

Interesting! Personaly I think the added freedom to not worry as much
about protecting my lenses makes up for the small loss in image quality.
I use B&W MRC filters on all of my lenses except the 50mm f/1.8 II. I found
filters to be easier to clean and to be more scratch resistant than the naked lens.