Do you install a UV filter on all of your lens

Bengan · 07-05-2019, 03:46 AM

Used to. I have filters for all my lenses (now in a box tucked away). Found that they affect IQ and sometimes AF. Have never seen any positive effect, so I remeved them a couple of years ago. Never used any since.

**EricBrown** · 07-05-2019, 03:55 AM - **1 Like**

I still use them, just mostly for protection. I maybe old school, but I'd rather have a broken filter than a broken or chipped lens.

tibbitts · 07-05-2019, 06:58 PM

For those who find filters affect their images in noticeable ways, is the issue primarily resolution or flare? I have had only one filter ever that I could tell affected resolution, and that was dramatic, while many filters have had an effect on flare, but only that I could see under specific circumstances. However my highest resolution body is only 16mp with an AA filter, so maybe this is becoming more of an issue as sensor resolution has increased.

**tonyzoc** · 07-05-2019, 07:12 PM

I rarely ever used a UV or a skylight filter but somewhere along the line I was told it good for long telephotos for reducing haze...I don't know if that's true or not, but that's why I put one on my 300/4 SMCT...it has a nice built-in hood so probably didn't make any difference but I never tested it. When I did use one it was a multicoated higher end one...like a Hoya.

**Oktyabr** · 07-05-2019, 10:50 PM

Originally posted by tibbitts

For those who find filters affect their images in noticeable ways, is the issue primarily resolution or flare? I have had only one filter ever that I could tell affected resolution, and that was dramatic, while many filters have had an effect on flare, but only that I could see under specific circumstances. However my highest resolution body is only 16mp with an AA filter, so maybe this is becoming more of an issue as sensor resolution has increased.

I started asking that question a decade ago, with a K10D. Today? The answer is that I can detect no difference between a *good quality* UV filter and without, at least on modern lenses.

**BigMackCam** · 07-06-2019, 02:39 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by tibbitts

For those who find filters affect their images in noticeable ways, is the issue primarily resolution or flare? I have had only one filter ever that I could tell affected resolution, and that was dramatic, while many filters have had an effect on flare, but only that I could see under specific circumstances. However my highest resolution body is only 16mp with an AA filter, so maybe this is becoming more of an issue as sensor resolution has increased.

I've mainly noticed a slight softening when using filters on telephoto lenses. It's only obvious when reviewing images with fine detail at 1:1 or greater reproduction ratios while processing / editing. Additionally, I've had some light reflection issues. I have a whole series of shots with magenta blobs in them, taken indoors at a railway museum that uses strong overhead spot lighting. I'd forgotten to remove the UV filter from my lens, and all but a handful of those shots was affected.

But the biggest issue I've encountered was with UV filters that introduced a strange diagonal lines in the out-of-focus areas. See a couple of my earlier threads here:

Always test your filters! - PentaxForums.com

Further testing - UV filter and diagonal lines in bokeh - PentaxForums.com

The take-aways from this are (1) if you're going to use UV (or any other) filters on your lenses, test them first and carefully review your images at 1:1 reproduction to ensure you're happy with the results, and (2) remove them if there's a strong light source in front of the camera (even if it's outside of the visible frame)...

**Lowell Goudge** · 07-06-2019, 04:12 AM - **1 Like**

I’ve started taking them off, especially on my legacy lenses where there is a great tendancy to add reflections between the filter and the front element, especially for night shots

Wheatfield · 07-06-2019, 03:21 PM - **2 Likes**

Never, ever. I would never aduterate a perfectly good lens with a protective filter.

mikeSF · 07-07-2019, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

I’ve started taking them off, especially on my legacy lenses where there is a great tendancy to add reflections between the filter and the front element, especially for night shots

this is pretty much my application too. if there is salt spray or swirling sand, I may use a clear protection filter. otherwise, i definitely do not want the ghost effects or extra reflection in my night shots such as cityscapes.

**arnold** · 07-07-2019, 06:24 PM - **2 Likes**

I can see that reflections could be an issue, but a clear glass filter should not be able to otherwise affect the light passing through it in any functional way. Sometimes I get the impression that what is claimed is more mystical than real - reminds me of the HiFi crowd who made outrageous claims, such as "the direction of twist" in their cables affecting the sound.

**Oktyabr** · 07-07-2019, 06:49 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by arnold

I can see that reflections could be an issue, but a clear glass filter should not be able to otherwise affect the light passing through it in any functional way. Sometimes I get the impression that what is claimed is more mystical than real - reminds me of the HiFi crowd who made outrageous claims, such as "the direction of twist" in their cables affecting the sound.

As a self-proclaimed audiophile, I can second this!!!

TaoMaas · 07-22-2019, 08:18 AM - **1 Like**

We're in the process of switching over to shooting with mirrorless cameras at work. We've been getting things in a piece at a time. The other day, our lenses showed up and one of the other videographers asked, "Where are the filters? Didn't you get filters to go on all of the lenses?" I said, "Uh oh...there's gonna be a fight."

**pepperberry farm** · 07-22-2019, 08:21 AM

Originally posted by TaoMaas

We're in the process of switching over to shooting with mirrorless cameras at work. We've been getting things in a piece at a time. The other day, our lenses showed up and one of the other videographers asked, "Where are the filters? Didn't you get filters to go on all of the lenses?" I said, "Uh oh...there's gonna be a fight."

they can have these:

dbs · 07-22-2019, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by TaoMaas

We're in the process of switching over to shooting with mirrorless cameras at work. We've been getting things in a piece at a time. The other day, our lenses showed up and one of the other videographers asked, "Where are the filters? Didn't you get filters to go on all of the lenses?" I said, "Uh oh...there's gonna be a fight."

Hi Tao

Keep the peace and take them off when you use the lens and replace it when done

Dave

tibbitts · 07-24-2019, 07:19 PM

Originally posted by dbs

Hi Tao

Keep the peace and take them off when you use the lens and replace it when done

Dave

Agree, but I would say lenses for work need filters all the time. Generally people don't treat equipment they use but don't own the same as equipment they own.

Even if you are careful you don't want to be blamed for damaging the lens. Nobody will notice the difference in the output but will notice if you accidentally ruin the lens because you didn't have a filter on it.

View Poll Results: UV filter on all lens
Yes always	38	27.74%
nah its the 21st century	99	72.26%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 137. You may not vote on this poll

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Your vehicle: what do you have, why do you like it, and what do you not like?	Auzzie-Phoenix	General Talk	2980	5 Days Ago 05:06 PM
What are your most used lens and what do you use them for? What lens do you have that	pearsaab	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	55	01-26-2021 03:13 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax 16-45mm DA, 67mm UV filter, 58mm UV filter (Worldwide)	treue_photo	Sold Items	6	04-23-2011 01:28 AM
Do you name your lenses like you name your kids????..I do	jackbullet	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	40	08-03-2009 05:28 PM
n00b question: Do you use have a UV filter (at minimum) on all your lenses?	innershell	Photographic Technique	35	08-14-2008 03:37 AM

07-05-2019, 03:46 AM	#61
Bengan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,756	Used to. I have filters for all my lenses (now in a box tucked away). Found that they affect IQ and sometimes AF. Have never seen any positive effect, so I remeved them a couple of years ago. Never used any since.

07-05-2019, 03:55 AM - 1 Like	#62
EricBrown Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Arlington, VA USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,060	I still use them, just mostly for protection. I maybe old school, but I'd rather have a broken filter than a broken or chipped lens.

07-05-2019, 06:58 PM	#63
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,193	For those who find filters affect their images in noticeable ways, is the issue primarily resolution or flare? I have had only one filter ever that I could tell affected resolution, and that was dramatic, while many filters have had an effect on flare, but only that I could see under specific circumstances. However my highest resolution body is only 16mp with an AA filter, so maybe this is becoming more of an issue as sensor resolution has increased.

07-05-2019, 07:12 PM	#64
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	I rarely ever used a UV or a skylight filter but somewhere along the line I was told it good for long telephotos for reducing haze...I don't know if that's true or not, but that's why I put one on my 300/4 SMCT...it has a nice built-in hood so probably didn't make any difference but I never tested it. When I did use one it was a multicoated higher end one...like a Hoya.

07-05-2019, 10:50 PM	#65
Oktyabr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389	Originally posted by tibbitts For those who find filters affect their images in noticeable ways, is the issue primarily resolution or flare? I have had only one filter ever that I could tell affected resolution, and that was dramatic, while many filters have had an effect on flare, but only that I could see under specific circumstances. However my highest resolution body is only 16mp with an AA filter, so maybe this is becoming more of an issue as sensor resolution has increased. I started asking that question a decade ago, with a K10D. Today? The answer is that I can detect no difference between a good quality UV filter and without, at least on modern lenses.

07-06-2019, 02:39 AM - 1 Like	#66
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,660	Originally posted by tibbitts For those who find filters affect their images in noticeable ways, is the issue primarily resolution or flare? I have had only one filter ever that I could tell affected resolution, and that was dramatic, while many filters have had an effect on flare, but only that I could see under specific circumstances. However my highest resolution body is only 16mp with an AA filter, so maybe this is becoming more of an issue as sensor resolution has increased. I've mainly noticed a slight softening when using filters on telephoto lenses. It's only obvious when reviewing images with fine detail at 1:1 or greater reproduction ratios while processing / editing. Additionally, I've had some light reflection issues. I have a whole series of shots with magenta blobs in them, taken indoors at a railway museum that uses strong overhead spot lighting. I'd forgotten to remove the UV filter from my lens, and all but a handful of those shots was affected. But the biggest issue I've encountered was with UV filters that introduced a strange diagonal lines in the out-of-focus areas. See a couple of my earlier threads here: Always test your filters! - PentaxForums.com Further testing - UV filter and diagonal lines in bokeh - PentaxForums.com The take-aways from this are (1) if you're going to use UV (or any other) filters on your lenses, test them first and carefully review your images at 1:1 reproduction to ensure you're happy with the results, and (2) remove them if there's a strong light source in front of the camera (even if it's outside of the visible frame)...

07-06-2019, 04:12 AM - 1 Like	#67
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	I’ve started taking them off, especially on my legacy lenses where there is a great tendancy to add reflections between the filter and the front element, especially for night shots

07-06-2019, 03:21 PM - 2 Likes	#68
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,976	Never, ever. I would never aduterate a perfectly good lens with a protective filter.

07-07-2019, 05:43 PM	#69
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge I’ve started taking them off, especially on my legacy lenses where there is a great tendancy to add reflections between the filter and the front element, especially for night shots this is pretty much my application too. if there is salt spray or swirling sand, I may use a clear protection filter. otherwise, i definitely do not want the ghost effects or extra reflection in my night shots such as cityscapes.

07-07-2019, 06:24 PM - 2 Likes	#70
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,294	I can see that reflections could be an issue, but a clear glass filter should not be able to otherwise affect the light passing through it in any functional way. Sometimes I get the impression that what is claimed is more mystical than real - reminds me of the HiFi crowd who made outrageous claims, such as "the direction of twist" in their cables affecting the sound.

07-07-2019, 06:49 PM - 1 Like	#71
Oktyabr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389	Originally posted by arnold I can see that reflections could be an issue, but a clear glass filter should not be able to otherwise affect the light passing through it in any functional way. Sometimes I get the impression that what is claimed is more mystical than real - reminds me of the HiFi crowd who made outrageous claims, such as "the direction of twist" in their cables affecting the sound. As a self-proclaimed audiophile, I can second this!!!

07-22-2019, 08:18 AM - 1 Like	#72
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	We're in the process of switching over to shooting with mirrorless cameras at work. We've been getting things in a piece at a time. The other day, our lenses showed up and one of the other videographers asked, "Where are the filters? Didn't you get filters to go on all of the lenses?" I said, "Uh oh...there's gonna be a fight."

07-22-2019, 08:21 AM	#73
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,645	Originally posted by TaoMaas We're in the process of switching over to shooting with mirrorless cameras at work. We've been getting things in a piece at a time. The other day, our lenses showed up and one of the other videographers asked, "Where are the filters? Didn't you get filters to go on all of the lenses?" I said, "Uh oh...there's gonna be a fight." they can have these:

07-22-2019, 06:09 PM	#74
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,563	Originally posted by TaoMaas We're in the process of switching over to shooting with mirrorless cameras at work. We've been getting things in a piece at a time. The other day, our lenses showed up and one of the other videographers asked, "Where are the filters? Didn't you get filters to go on all of the lenses?" I said, "Uh oh...there's gonna be a fight." Hi Tao Keep the peace and take them off when you use the lens and replace it when done Dave

07-24-2019, 07:19 PM	#75
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,193	Originally posted by dbs Hi Tao Keep the peace and take them off when you use the lens and replace it when done Dave Agree, but I would say lenses for work need filters all the time. Generally people don't treat equipment they use but don't own the same as equipment they own. Even if you are careful you don't want to be blamed for damaging the lens. Nobody will notice the difference in the output but will notice if you accidentally ruin the lens because you didn't have a filter on it.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search