Originally posted by LaurenOE I use filters for protection and as a thermal buffer. The protection arguments I agree with. What I don't hear, are mentions on the thermal buffer. Living in Florida, there are many times where I go from an air conditioned space, and step out into hot humid air. Immediately, a front filter will form condensation, while the lens element immediately behind it will not. I can let the lens settle a bit, and when I think the temp is about right, I have no problems wiping the heavy condensation off a cheap filter without worrying if I have a clean cloth without any grit available. There are times when I will take the filter off to take a shot, but those are rare. I have peace of mind having that added safety of the front element protected by a filter.
If you have to worry about your cleaning cloths having grit on them then you are in serious trouble
I keep mine it little plastic bags.
Shanghai where I live, is further South than Florida and suffers from very high humidity (similar to that of Manila I'd guess), so condensation (moving from cold air-conditioned homes/hotels/restaurants etc.) is a daily occurrence. Once the lens temperature has equalised it is simple to just wipe it down with a lens cloth and you're good to go (keeps the lenses clean too of course). If you don't want to do that then put it in a vac-loc plastic bag until the temps have equalised.