Originally posted by Gutta Perka Don't Pentax deliver filters anymore. HD ones? 🤔
No.
Filters had a big role in film photography : Skylight to get the white balance correct, warming or cooling filters for the same reason. UV to reduce haze. Coloured filters for black and white photography. Special effect filters like starbursts.
All the above can be done easily in PP with a digital image.
Some filters still have their place with a DSLR. Polarisers to reduce reflections and intensify blue skies. ND and ND Graduated filters also are still used, although can be replicated with HDR merges in software, or selective brightening/darkening.
As pointed out above, a clear or UV filter can be used as protection especially if you are shooting in sandy/dusty or caustic environments.
But generally a filter is optional. I don't use them except ND/ND Grads.