Originally posted by nicolpa47 I understand both sides of the filter/no filter argument. All I can say is that I prefer removing the amount of salt spray I sometimes find on my filters from those filters rather than from the front element of my lenses. The answer to the question depends in my view upon the conditions in which you take your images.
Filters pros: Generally theoretical at best protection for the front element, occasional real protection for the lens.
Filters cons: Always some image degradation caused by the filter. Cheap filters are worse than expensive ones in this regard, but degradation of the image is unavoidable. This can include loss of resolution, loss of contrast and increased flare.
Lens hoods pros: Generally real protection for the front of the lens including the front element except for very specific instances which the photographer may not ever come across.
No image degradation from extra glass that my not be plano parallel or especially flare resistant (cheap filters). Flare protection rather than flare production.
Lens hood cons: I can't think of a single one.
I suppose on a very windy day the hood may give the wind more surface to catch increasing the potential for camera shake, but this is a bit of a stretch.