UV filters - Important or not?

helloyo53

Hello.

I also got a camera bag for Christmas, and I got an extra battery and a UV filter with it. The UV filter is big enough to fit on the 18-55mm lens, but too big for my 50mm lens. Is it really important to use the UV filter? What is it exactly for?

Thanks.

ziggy53

UV and Haze filters are commonly used as protection components for the front element of the lens. If it is a cheap filter (Tiffen, Kodak, Canon, Nikon, etc.) it may actually degrade the image quality. I recommend at least a multi-coated filter and I suggest that Hoya HMC (Hoya Multi-Coated) filters are a good compromise between cost and quality. Even then I strongly recommend that you perform your own tests to see under which conditions you should remove the filter.

A good place to purchase filters:

http://2filter.com/

catspaw

in my book, pointless.

exceptions are if you shooting by sea short with salt water splash. but even then, you do NOT want the cheap ones, else you are compromising the quality of the glass in your lens. Otherwise, just be SMART and use hoods for protection.

Art Scott

catspaw wrote: »

in my book, pointless.

exceptions are if you shooting by sea short with salt water splash. but even then, you do NOT want the cheap ones, else you are compromising the quality of the glass in your lens. Otherwise, just be SMART and use hoods for protection.

I totally agree here.....another reason for not using the cheap filters are they can become damn near fused to the lens just by being screwed on and sometimes you have to get huge water-pump pliers to get them unstuck.....and the cheap plastic filter wrenches are a joke.......also what turned me totally against them was my one mishap with filter attached...dropped cam and lens it landed on sharp object that broke the filter but the glass flying back into my lens scratched beyond use........the only time I would have a filter on, besides using them for effects that they are designed for is when I would RENT a lens from BorrowLenses....they put them on and in that case it would stay.
I do also prefer large (4x6 inches) flat filters, that way they will work on 99.9999% of all lenses....you can either hold them against the lens or buy separate adapters for each lens...........

JMHO..............

catspaw

sure, the lens might fall and the UV filter breaks - but withOUT a filter, the lens would have been just fine.

why did the UV filter break? well, because it's a cheap piece of glass and very thin - as such it WILL break.

the fact it broke does NOT mean it did any level of protection or anything else. The utter lack of logic in that reasoning drives me insane. Aside from extreme outdoor situations, people who use CHEAP uv filters are people who seem to enjoy handicapping their images.

so be it. enjoy being a cripple.

catspaw

blow it up to 100% and pixel peep on a cheap UV and I promise you, you will see IQ issues.

rainbow

Some of my experience:

Started with filters for protection. Had one crack (a B&W, perhaps $100 for a 77mm filter) for unknown reason and replaced it. Read threads such as this and finally decided against filters for my 'L' glass as I always use a hood which I consider equal or better protection than a filter (note that some people have had their front element damaged by the shattering glass shards from the filter glass). Also wanted the best image, which meant no filter.

I have also experienced 'stuck' filters, a royal PITA. As I purchased more lenses, I decided to forgo the expense and always use hoods. Cost savings is significant.

Certainly one consideration is that it makes little sense to protect a cheap lens, such as the 18-55 IS and perhaps even the 50mm (1.4?). The 18 - 55 IS and the 50 1.8 are replaceable for under $100. A cheap filter will likely degrade the image and a good filter would cost almost as much as the lens.

No right or wrong answer, just a choice to make without it being clearcut.

Awais Yaqub

I have Hoya Pro 1 UV filter on my 17-40L all the time and have never noticed any issue shooting with 7D or 400D, i only take it off when shooting against the sun to avoid flare. In proper testing when shooting against white light tubes i noticed purple fringing, but never noticed in real life.

I am thinking to order new Hoya HD filter with my new lens, 100$ to save 2100$ investment while compromising 2% of photos is worth it! and you can always take it off when required!

helloyo53

Well, considering I can't even get the filter on the lens without cross threading it, I don't think I'll be using it that much. Thanks for everyone's input!

catspaw

I'd consider Hoya and B+W good non-cheap filters. It's the Tiffen and others that you often see sold to every new dslr owner that make me cry inside. It's not going to help them much, but sure helps line the pocket of the sellers.