Originally posted by Na Horuk Especially in deserts, at sea (salt water splash). The elements in some cases can be brutal,
Sorry, can't help myself having a dig.
Anyone who is a spectacles user, don't forget to install filters to protect the lenses of your specs. After all they cost a pretty penny too.
I don't know how I can formulate this without stepping on anybodies necktie but it seems to me
some people make claims simply because in theory it makes sense but in actual fact they often have no personal experience. It is impossible to argue against those claims because in theory they make so much sense. Theory and practice however, as we all no know, often enough are two different things.
1) The beach in heavy weather theory.
Salt spray ! O.K., salt s corrosive. but only if if you let it remain on the camera equipment long enough and not clean it off. So why single out the lens front element and never mention the camera body. What sort of protection do you put on that ? If you say you use a plastic bag for that, do you always carry one with you ? I have never seen it. With modern Pentax lenses at least they now have protective coatings. The OP has concern over his 150-450. Put a UV filter on that and then ask yourself what sense this makes. If the filter collects salt particles it needs to be cleaned off to get clear shots and it will smear. If the same salt hits the "protective" Pentax coating it needs to be cleaned off just the same but it will be a damn site easier and cleaner.( Wash off if you have a drink bottle with you. I speak from experience. But no Coke please
).
I call this myth debunked.
2) Beach sand blowing theory.
In over 50 years of shooting and sometimes in the most dire condition, desert and beach, never ever have any of my lenses sustained "sandblast" damage !" (The front lens element is too hard and bar some very old lens coatings they are pretty "tuff" too). And in the earlier film days neither have my UV filters sustained sand damage. (and to elaborate on my first paragraph, neither have my spectacles. I have lost a few but not through sandblast damage.)
I call this myth debunked.
To proof a point I supply some picture. The first two were shot in 2012 at "Inch Beach, County Kerry Ireland" The wind that day was atrocious with sand on the strand blowing so hard it was flying horizontally along the strand. Sand was driving into my face and it was painful. Sand was packed up like snow drifts against the door of the kiosk far off the beach so that is was impossible to open. I spent some
two hours shooting with the 60-250. No filter, NO DAMAGE !
The other picture was taken in a Oman desert, it was not quite as wild as Inch Beach but nevertheless there was plenty of sand flying around. It was the fine stuff which goes into everything. NO filter, DAMAGE !
Anybody would have a hard time to convince me to use filters for protection. It is and will remain a clever revenue generating scaremongering sales activity.
So please save your hard earned money and give UV filters a miss. They offer no benefit.
Now let the hate mail begin.
Cheers