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09-04-2013, 12:56 AM   #1
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UV filters degrade image quality

I wasn't 100% sure if they did, but yeah, they do. I used to have a 7DayShop cheap one on my old Nikon D5100 and it did degrade the image quality a bit, there was a little less sharpness and contrast and the image could be quite hazy sometimes. Anyway, now i've got a Pentax K30, I was using a Hoya and i've noticed more image quality degrdation, in fact the Hoya degrades image quality it seems, more than the cheap 7Day Shop one I used to have.

Anyway, i've done some research and quite a bit of googling and found that most people are in agreement too. Now I just don't use one, I know it's not protecting my lens front glass by not using one but I spend £500 on a K30 to get excellent image to then have a UV filter degrade the wonderful image quality. Do any of you guys notice the degredation of image quality?

09-04-2013, 01:19 AM   #2
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some filters are that bad that make image terrible.
09-04-2013, 01:59 AM   #3
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As has been suggested here several times, the best protection results from keeping the lens hood in place. In cases where you need even more protection, such as in blowing dust/sand or salt breeze, use an "Ultra Clear Protection Filter." Several brands make high quality, lens grade ones. UV rays used to affect film images outdoors, so a UV filter made sense in those days. Since UV doesn't affect a digital sensor, the slight distortion of a UV filter provides no benefit and as you found can degrade the image. IMHO, UV filters serve no good purpose in digital photography

The best image will result from no extraneous glass in front of the lens but since I frequently shoot very active and grabby grandkids, I have clear filters for my common "family" lenses. The filters usually come off at other times, particularly since I often add a circular polarizer outdoors and you never want to "stack" filters if it can be avoided to cut down on reflections and extra glare.
09-04-2013, 02:12 AM   #4
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Are there actually ANY out there which don't degrade the image quality at all?

09-04-2013, 02:24 AM - 2 Likes   #5
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I have always assumed the front elements of quality lenses are curved and coated in a way to optimise their optical performance. Putting a lump of flat glass in front doesn't make much sense to me when a hood provides similar protection and *improves* image quality.
09-04-2013, 02:26 AM   #6
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Oh, I have loads, one each for my lenses, better take them off now then and see if I notice a difference
09-04-2013, 02:28 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by richardstringer Quote
Are there actually ANY out there which don't degrade the image quality at all?
Anything in front of the lens will have an impact on IQ (including resolution, contrast, flare, coma, vignetting etc), the question is to what degree. Have a look here to see some actual lab tests of a bunch of UV filters: hint Hoya HMC is best bang for buck

UV filters test - Introduction - Lenstip.com
UV filters test - supplement - Introduction - Lenstip.com

A good Hoya UV filter may have minimal impact on IQ under most conditions, but the issue will still be: why bother with one at all?

09-04-2013, 02:55 AM - 2 Likes   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
I have always assumed the front elements of quality lenses are curved and coated in a way to optimise their optical performance. Putting a lump of flat glass in front doesn't make much sense to me when a hood provides similar protection and *improves* image quality.
This is 100% my philosophy. After two years of adventurous outdoor photography, including 12 months of shooting in Afghanistan during combat operations, the only time I had an issue was when I was shooting a landing helicopter at close range with my K-5/DA*60-250. For something like that, a UV filter would have been preferable, and yet no scratches to the lens objective.

You will never ever never find me shooting with a UV filter, just like you will never ever never find me shooting without lens hoods.

To me, the ubiquity of UV filters for digital photography is nothing more than an incredibly successful scam.

-Heie
09-04-2013, 04:52 AM   #9
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So it seems I was right then, my Hoy UV filter which I paid £25 for was just a waste of money seeing as I take care of my lenses so amazingly well.
09-04-2013, 07:36 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by rawr Quote
Anything in front of the lens will have an impact on IQ...
That's the philosophy I've always operated under. 99% of the time, a lens hood and a bit of caution is all that's needed to protect your lenses. Don't be foolish, though. If you're going to be shooting where you could get spray from an ocean, lake, or river...use a filter. Some of that stuff dries quickly and doesn't want to come off easily.
09-04-2013, 08:20 AM   #11
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The biggest problem is see with filters is that they make lenses much more prone to flare. At the same time, I worry a lot about scratching or damaging the fron element of a lens. So, I tend to use them some of the time, but screw them off if looks like a bad place for extra glass.

Multi coated UV filters like Super Marumai or B and W tend not to effect image quality as much, but they are quite pricey. I have some cheap Tiffen filters that give almost a muddy cast to images.
09-04-2013, 08:33 AM   #12
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OK...I'll overcome my fear and try shooting "naked" (the lens, that is.). I'm assuming the same logic goes for circular polarizers, which I commonly use.
Thanks!
09-04-2013, 10:03 AM   #13
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I think shooting naked (unclothed) isn't a good idea, lol, although at least you'd somewhere to hang your camera (if the strap is attached) while talking to a model who you're planning to photograph, unless you're a gay photographer and gorgeous females don't turn you on, then you can't hand your camera using that part of you, lol.

09-04-2013, 10:07 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by SteveTheOldMan Quote
... I'm assuming the same logic goes for circular polarizers, which I commonly use...
A CPL is one of those things that can really have a great impact on the image but IMHO should only be used when appropriate. I have seen comments from folks who just leave the CPL on all the time. That seems insane to me. Aside from the aforementioned image degradation, the CPL reduces light transmission and effectively slows your lens down by a stop to a stop and a half. Nothing works quite like a CPL when it is needed, but like any other tool, it should be removed when not needed.

I consider changing of filters to be similar to changing of lenses. I swap lenses on and off to fit the situation. The same is true for the various filters I use - protection, CPL, ND, etc. They go on when needed and come off when not. A set of filter stack caps is cheap and takes up little room in the bag. It is all a trade-off. You live with a little image degradation when the positive effect of the filter offsets it.
09-04-2013, 04:24 PM   #15
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I had a nice Nikon clear filter I used on a good FA zoom, until I was rushing through Heathrow and the camera with lens attached fell out of my poorly designed Canon backpack. It landed right on the front of the lens, the filter glass smashed into bits and the broken glass scratched my front element. So instead of protecting my lens it damaged it (although it may have protected the lens' filter mount threads - I'll never know). I also think the lens hood and cap would do a better job of absorbing the shock.

So now I rely on the lens hood and lens cap. As others have mentioned, I only use a filter when there's salt spray or heavy rain, or I need a CPL.
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