Lens protaction

redpigeons · 01-21-2009, 04:51 PM

I am sure you've been talking about it before I just could not find it anywhere.

So what are you guys using to protect an expensive lens?

Or to be more specific what's the best protection I can use for the 31mm without losing the quality that coast me so much?

Thanks

redpigeons · 01-21-2009, 05:05 PM

Sorry I am not sure that I phrased the question right..
Basically to be more specific I am asking on an expansive lens ... filter or no filter.

thanks again

Toshi · 01-21-2009, 05:06 PM

There's always discussion about lens protection. Some people like to use a hood only and some use UV filters. Whether using UV filters degrade quality is always up to debate. Some like to use high quality filters to lessen image degradation. Some have used cheap ones and say they don't notice any image quality difference between a high quality one and a cheap one. I'd assume 99% of the time, all you probably need is the hood to protect the front element. But accidents can happen and it's easier on the wallet to replace a filter than a lens.

Personally, I always slap on a B+W MRC UV filter on my lenses but that's just personal preference and lets me sleep better at night

pingflood · 01-21-2009, 05:11 PM

I never use UV filters on any of my glass. I do use a hood 100% of the time though, which has saved the front element from getting bumped/nicked a few times.

I saw a test recently comparing no filter vs cheap filter vs multi coated expensive filter, and while the two filters showed significantly different flare resistance, there was still a noticeable difference between the expensive filter and the lens alone.

redpigeons · 01-21-2009, 05:57 PM

so the 31mm have its built in hood, but its small and I am not sure it will protect my lens. I read on line about using clear filter frames the make the hood more effective. is that make sense to you guys?

**Eaglerapids** · 01-21-2009, 07:03 PM

You know, I hate doing it, but I have filters on my 3 Amigos and my Viv 105/2.5, they are just to valuable to me to take a chance on some wayward accident.

Damn Brit · 01-21-2009, 07:22 PM

You could buy a soft hood that will fit over the hood and lens if you are worried. The potential for damage is when you are not actually taking pictures with the camera.
I used to use filters but I don't any more.

Vylen · 01-21-2009, 07:54 PM

as a poor uni student, i put filters on anything i can.... id just rather not risk it given my limited budget...

Wheatfield · 01-21-2009, 08:46 PM

I use reasonable care and no filters.

**jamesk8752** · 01-21-2009, 08:55 PM

This filter was mounted on my FA 77 LTD when it slipped out of my hands and fell onto the pavement. I had to remove it with a pliers but the lens was not damaged.

Need I say that I continue to use filters on all my lenses?

Jasvox · 01-21-2009, 08:55 PM

If you shoot in a dusty environment, a 100% clear filter (not UV) may be a good idea...something a lens hood will do you no good. This will at least keep the lens glass itself clean and at the end of the shoot, or end of the day, you can simply properly clean the filter, and use it again.

Jason

frank · 01-21-2009, 09:11 PM

Originally posted by jamesk8752

Need I say that I continue to use filters on all my lenses?

Same here, I use filters on all my lenses except the two macros lenses (A50/2.8 and A100/2.8). To me I can't tell any IQ loss at all, and I'd rather play w/ peace of mind

drewdlephone · 01-21-2009, 09:16 PM

Originally posted by Vylen

as a poor uni student, i put filters on anything i can.... id just rather not risk it given my limited budget...

Here's the ultimate in cheap protection: collect busted/scratched/screwed filters and take the glass out of them, and put the metal rings on the end of your lenses. It'll "protect" from an accident the same way a regular filter will, it just doesn't protect from dust.

To be honest, I use most of my lenses naked, including my Takumar lenses. There are few filters out there of sufficient grade as to not degrade the image transferred to the lens, and I'm not prepared to pay for the ones that do exist. I use my lens cap *religiously* when I'm out shooting, for two reasons: conservation of battery, and protection of the lens. The lens cap is supposed to protect the lens, that's why lenses have always come with them. Convincing the general populace that they "must" have a filter to protect their lenses was merely a retail trick to increase add-on sales, and it's continued to work well to this day because the majority of people putting the cash up to buy this equipment are scared of losing it.

I haven't done the no-glass filter trick yet, but I might consider it.

richard64 · 01-22-2009, 04:35 AM

Originally posted by drewdlephone

Here's the ultimate in cheap protection: collect busted/scratched/screwed filters and take the glass out of them, and put the metal rings on the end of your lenses. It'll "protect" from an accident the same way a regular filter will, it just doesn't protect from dust.

I have done this, but for a CZJ 35/2.4 that I bought cheap because the filter ring was mangled. Now I have a usable filter ring (which is always used for a screw-in hood and sometimes for a polariser) on that lens.

Quote:

To be honest, I use most of my lenses naked, including my Takumar lenses. There are few filters out there of sufficient grade as to not degrade the image transferred to the lens, and I'm not prepared to pay for the ones that do exist.

Me too. The only filter I use is a polariser.

Quote:

I use my lens cap *religiously* when I'm out shooting, for two reasons: conservation of battery, and protection of the lens.

I find that the caps can be a pain when out shooting, and push-on caps (particularly the ones on Takumars) can fall off and get lost. Typically I replace my caps with cheap plastic clip-on caps before I leave home, and then when I am out I always use a hood on the lens I am using. The cap is in my bag (hopefully).

But I am interested why you say that the cap converses the battery.

Richard

pop4 · 01-22-2009, 04:53 AM

Originally posted by drewdlephone

I use my lens cap *religiously* when I'm out shooting, for two reasons: conservation of battery, and protection of the lens. The lens cap is supposed to protect the lens, that's why lenses have always come with them.

Originally posted by richard64

But I am interested why you say that the cap converses the battery.

I'm assuming he's talking about using his Spotmatic F, which meters, and hence uses battery life, when the lens cap is removed.

01-21-2009, 04:51 PM	#1
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943	Lens protaction I am sure you've been talking about it before I just could not find it anywhere. So what are you guys using to protect an expensive lens? Or to be more specific what's the best protection I can use for the 31mm without losing the quality that coast me so much? Thanks

01-21-2009, 08:55 PM	#10
jamesk8752 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Suburban Detroit, MI, USA Posts: 238	This filter was mounted on my FA 77 LTD when it slipped out of my hands and fell onto the pavement. I had to remove it with a pliers but the lens was not damaged. Need I say that I continue to use filters on all my lenses? Last edited by Toshi; 01-21-2009 at 09:00 PM. Reason: Fixed image link

01-21-2009, 05:05 PM	#2
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943 Original Poster	Sorry I am not sure that I phrased the question right.. Basically to be more specific I am asking on an expansive lens ... filter or no filter. thanks again

01-21-2009, 05:06 PM	#3
Toshi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 431	There's always discussion about lens protection. Some people like to use a hood only and some use UV filters. Whether using UV filters degrade quality is always up to debate. Some like to use high quality filters to lessen image degradation. Some have used cheap ones and say they don't notice any image quality difference between a high quality one and a cheap one. I'd assume 99% of the time, all you probably need is the hood to protect the front element. But accidents can happen and it's easier on the wallet to replace a filter than a lens. Personally, I always slap on a B+W MRC UV filter on my lenses but that's just personal preference and lets me sleep better at night

01-21-2009, 05:11 PM	#4
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169	I never use UV filters on any of my glass. I do use a hood 100% of the time though, which has saved the front element from getting bumped/nicked a few times. I saw a test recently comparing no filter vs cheap filter vs multi coated expensive filter, and while the two filters showed significantly different flare resistance, there was still a noticeable difference between the expensive filter and the lens alone.

01-21-2009, 05:57 PM	#5
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943 Original Poster	so the 31mm have its built in hood, but its small and I am not sure it will protect my lens. I read on line about using clear filter frames the make the hood more effective. is that make sense to you guys?

01-21-2009, 07:03 PM	#6
Eaglerapids Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,619	You know, I hate doing it, but I have filters on my 3 Amigos and my Viv 105/2.5, they are just to valuable to me to take a chance on some wayward accident.

01-21-2009, 07:22 PM	#7
Damn Brit Guest	You could buy a soft hood that will fit over the hood and lens if you are worried. The potential for damage is when you are not actually taking pictures with the camera. I used to use filters but I don't any more.

01-21-2009, 07:54 PM	#8
Vylen Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,262	as a poor uni student, i put filters on anything i can.... id just rather not risk it given my limited budget...

01-21-2009, 08:46 PM	#9
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	I use reasonable care and no filters.

01-21-2009, 08:55 PM	#11
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	If you shoot in a dusty environment, a 100% clear filter (not UV) may be a good idea...something a lens hood will do you no good. This will at least keep the lens glass itself clean and at the end of the shoot, or end of the day, you can simply properly clean the filter, and use it again. Jason

01-21-2009, 09:11 PM	#12
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Originally posted by jamesk8752 Need I say that I continue to use filters on all my lenses? Same here, I use filters on all my lenses except the two macros lenses (A50/2.8 and A100/2.8). To me I can't tell any IQ loss at all, and I'd rather play w/ peace of mind

01-21-2009, 09:16 PM	#13
drewdlephone Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Nanaimo, BC Posts: 261	Originally posted by Vylen as a poor uni student, i put filters on anything i can.... id just rather not risk it given my limited budget... Here's the ultimate in cheap protection: collect busted/scratched/screwed filters and take the glass out of them, and put the metal rings on the end of your lenses. It'll "protect" from an accident the same way a regular filter will, it just doesn't protect from dust. To be honest, I use most of my lenses naked, including my Takumar lenses. There are few filters out there of sufficient grade as to not degrade the image transferred to the lens, and I'm not prepared to pay for the ones that do exist. I use my lens cap religiously when I'm out shooting, for two reasons: conservation of battery, and protection of the lens. The lens cap is supposed to protect the lens, that's why lenses have always come with them. Convincing the general populace that they "must" have a filter to protect their lenses was merely a retail trick to increase add-on sales, and it's continued to work well to this day because the majority of people putting the cash up to buy this equipment are scared of losing it. I haven't done the no-glass filter trick yet, but I might consider it.

01-22-2009, 04:35 AM	#14
richard64 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: England Posts: 309	Originally posted by drewdlephone Here's the ultimate in cheap protection: collect busted/scratched/screwed filters and take the glass out of them, and put the metal rings on the end of your lenses. It'll "protect" from an accident the same way a regular filter will, it just doesn't protect from dust. I have done this, but for a CZJ 35/2.4 that I bought cheap because the filter ring was mangled. Now I have a usable filter ring (which is always used for a screw-in hood and sometimes for a polariser) on that lens. Quote: To be honest, I use most of my lenses naked, including my Takumar lenses. There are few filters out there of sufficient grade as to not degrade the image transferred to the lens, and I'm not prepared to pay for the ones that do exist. Me too. The only filter I use is a polariser. Quote: I use my lens cap religiously when I'm out shooting, for two reasons: conservation of battery, and protection of the lens. I find that the caps can be a pain when out shooting, and push-on caps (particularly the ones on Takumars) can fall off and get lost. Typically I replace my caps with cheap plastic clip-on caps before I leave home, and then when I am out I always use a hood on the lens I am using. The cap is in my bag (hopefully). But I am interested why you say that the cap converses the battery. Richard

01-22-2009, 04:53 AM	#15
pop4 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: YMML Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,879	Originally posted by drewdlephone I use my lens cap religiously when I'm out shooting, for two reasons: conservation of battery, and protection of the lens. The lens cap is supposed to protect the lens, that's why lenses have always come with them. Originally posted by richard64 But I am interested why you say that the cap converses the battery. I'm assuming he's talking about using his Spotmatic F, which meters, and hence uses battery life, when the lens cap is removed.