Do you use a protective filter on your lenses?

bertwert · 12-16-2015, 09:14 AM

Do you use a protective filter on your lenses?
UV, Protective or No.

Just wondering what other people do.

pathdoc · 12-16-2015, 09:22 AM

I use a UV filter as ballistic protection, so technically the answer is both. Well, usually a UV. If someone ships a secondhand lens with a skylight filter screwed on, I'm not exactly in a hurry to change it. It must have worked for them (or whoever last used the lens).

**csa** · 12-16-2015, 09:34 AM

No protective filters. I keep the hood on at all times, with a lens hood hat:

OP/TECH USA Hood Hat

bertwert · 12-16-2015, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by csa

with a lens hood hat

Must get boring photos, all black

bertwert · 12-16-2015, 09:37 AM

Originally posted by pathdoc

I use a UV filter as ballistic protection, so technically the answer is both.

I meant do you use a UV filter for protection or a Protective filter for protection.

pathdoc · 12-16-2015, 09:43 AM

Generally a UV filter if I'm buying one for a new lens. If it comes with a nondescript "protective" filter, I won't change it.

**csa** · 12-16-2015, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by bertwert

Must get boring photos, all black

Just posted how I protect my lenses. Haven't seen any of your photos!

**sergysergy** · 12-16-2015, 09:45 AM

if anything polarizing or nd for certain effects.

LoneWolf · 12-16-2015, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by pathdoc

I use a UV filter as ballistic protection, so technically the answer is both. Well, usually a UV. If someone ships a secondhand lens with a skylight filter screwed on, I'm not exactly in a hurry to change it. It must have worked for them (or whoever last used the lens).

Like pathdoc I use a UV filter on all my lenses for protection. This a relic from my film days when a UV filter was normally recommended to prevent an excess of UV light hitting the film, with added advantage that it also acted as a protector. Today I think I would seriously consider a clear filter instead, but I need to investigate that idea more fully. The new clear glass ceramic filters from Sigma seem very interesting. I wonder what they will cost.

bertwert · 12-16-2015, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by LoneWolf

The new clear glass ceramic filters from Sigma seem very interesting.

Except they don't come in 49mm.

Originally posted by csa

Haven't seen any of your photos!

I'll get to posting some one day, mine aren't forum worthy yet

**paulh** · 12-16-2015, 10:27 AM

In normal use, no - no filters. I only use a UV or other clear filter in dusty/windy conditions, or as a lens cap if I don't have a proper one.

**BarryE** · 12-16-2015, 10:40 AM

With the high quality filters - I'm using B+W or Kenko Zeta - I really have not been able to tell any difference at all, and I'm a little picky ! Maybe, there might have been a flare situation that I wouldn't have had without a filter, but with a hood and hands etc to shield the lens, flare is rare anyway. I've no idea whether cheap filters cause problems - I suspect they might.

What they offer me is protection from the elements and the occasional finger print which I just prefer to clean up on a filter than an expensive lens. I always use them ...

Also, for resale the lens is then pristine, which is bonus too.

normhead · 12-16-2015, 10:43 AM

I always use a polarizer or UV. And from time to time I clean finger prints off them, that would have been on my lens. When I'm focussed on shooting I can get really sloppy about lens care.

My Sigma 8-16 that has to be cared for, seriously crimps my style.

**Alex645** · 12-16-2015, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by bertwert

I meant do you use a UV filter for protection or a Protective filter for protection.

For FSLRs I use a UV filter and for DSLRs I use the new hardened glass protective filters (in addition to a lens hood).

When I want and need the best IQ, I remove the filter and am extra cautious. If I'm shooting a non-WR lens, I will also use a filter as an extra barrier from the elements.

When I was a pro and insured for accidents, I usually did not use a filter....and yes, I had more accidents than I'd like to admit. Now that I'm no longer a full time pro, I almost always keep a filter on as I cannot justify the cost of
either insurance, the deductible, or replacing my lenses.

Not to digress from your post, but I wonder if anyone has found favor in brass, aluminum, or plastic constructed filters? I'm thinking in terms of easier removal upon damaging impacts.

MarkJerling · 12-16-2015, 04:38 PM - **1 Like**

I always keep a UV filter on the front of every lens. I've shot various lenses with and without the filter and have never been able to see a difference in quality from the photos.

In my view, it just makes sense to protect the front element of a lens. Recently, I had the camera around my neck and bumped into a branch. The UV filter cracked but the front element survived. Also, when cleaning gunk off the filter, should I scratch the filter, it's a cheap replacement. If I should scratch the lens - oops - not so cheap.

View Poll Results: Do you use a protective filter on your lenses?
UV	26	24.07%
Protective	8	7.41%
No	74	68.52%
Voters: 108. You may not vote on this poll

12-16-2015, 09:14 AM	#1
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Do you use a protective filter on your lenses? Do you use a protective filter on your lenses? UV, Protective or No. Just wondering what other people do.

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12-16-2015, 09:22 AM	#2
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	I use a UV filter as ballistic protection, so technically the answer is both. Well, usually a UV. If someone ships a secondhand lens with a skylight filter screwed on, I'm not exactly in a hurry to change it. It must have worked for them (or whoever last used the lens).

12-16-2015, 09:34 AM	#3
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	No protective filters. I keep the hood on at all times, with a lens hood hat: OP/TECH USA Hood Hat

12-16-2015, 09:36 AM	#4
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172 Original Poster	Originally posted by csa with a lens hood hat Must get boring photos, all black

12-16-2015, 09:37 AM	#5
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172 Original Poster	Originally posted by pathdoc I use a UV filter as ballistic protection, so technically the answer is both. I meant do you use a UV filter for protection or a Protective filter for protection.

12-16-2015, 09:43 AM	#6
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Generally a UV filter if I'm buying one for a new lens. If it comes with a nondescript "protective" filter, I won't change it.

12-16-2015, 09:44 AM	#7
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Originally posted by bertwert Must get boring photos, all black Just posted how I protect my lenses. Haven't seen any of your photos!

12-16-2015, 09:45 AM	#8
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,175	if anything polarizing or nd for certain effects.

12-16-2015, 09:46 AM	#9
LoneWolf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 141	Originally posted by pathdoc I use a UV filter as ballistic protection, so technically the answer is both. Well, usually a UV. If someone ships a secondhand lens with a skylight filter screwed on, I'm not exactly in a hurry to change it. It must have worked for them (or whoever last used the lens). Like pathdoc I use a UV filter on all my lenses for protection. This a relic from my film days when a UV filter was normally recommended to prevent an excess of UV light hitting the film, with added advantage that it also acted as a protector. Today I think I would seriously consider a clear filter instead, but I need to investigate that idea more fully. The new clear glass ceramic filters from Sigma seem very interesting. I wonder what they will cost.

12-16-2015, 09:49 AM	#10
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172 Original Poster	Originally posted by LoneWolf The new clear glass ceramic filters from Sigma seem very interesting. Except they don't come in 49mm. Originally posted by csa Haven't seen any of your photos! I'll get to posting some one day, mine aren't forum worthy yet

12-16-2015, 10:27 AM	#11
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,308	In normal use, no - no filters. I only use a UV or other clear filter in dusty/windy conditions, or as a lens cap if I don't have a proper one.

12-16-2015, 10:40 AM	#12
BarryE Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,654	With the high quality filters - I'm using B+W or Kenko Zeta - I really have not been able to tell any difference at all, and I'm a little picky ! Maybe, there might have been a flare situation that I wouldn't have had without a filter, but with a hood and hands etc to shield the lens, flare is rare anyway. I've no idea whether cheap filters cause problems - I suspect they might. What they offer me is protection from the elements and the occasional finger print which I just prefer to clean up on a filter than an expensive lens. I always use them ... Also, for resale the lens is then pristine, which is bonus too.

12-16-2015, 10:43 AM	#13
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I always use a polarizer or UV. And from time to time I clean finger prints off them, that would have been on my lens. When I'm focussed on shooting I can get really sloppy about lens care. My Sigma 8-16 that has to be cared for, seriously crimps my style.

12-16-2015, 11:16 AM	#14
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,527	Originally posted by bertwert I meant do you use a UV filter for protection or a Protective filter for protection. For FSLRs I use a UV filter and for DSLRs I use the new hardened glass protective filters (in addition to a lens hood). When I want and need the best IQ, I remove the filter and am extra cautious. If I'm shooting a non-WR lens, I will also use a filter as an extra barrier from the elements. When I was a pro and insured for accidents, I usually did not use a filter....and yes, I had more accidents than I'd like to admit. Now that I'm no longer a full time pro, I almost always keep a filter on as I cannot justify the cost of either insurance, the deductible, or replacing my lenses. Not to digress from your post, but I wonder if anyone has found favor in brass, aluminum, or plastic constructed filters? I'm thinking in terms of easier removal upon damaging impacts.

12-16-2015, 04:38 PM - 1 Like	#15
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,422	I always keep a UV filter on the front of every lens. I've shot various lenses with and without the filter and have never been able to see a difference in quality from the photos. In my view, it just makes sense to protect the front element of a lens. Recently, I had the camera around my neck and bumped into a branch. The UV filter cracked but the front element survived. Also, when cleaning gunk off the filter, should I scratch the filter, it's a cheap replacement. If I should scratch the lens - oops - not so cheap.