Originally posted by Mooncatt a lens hood will not do a thing to protect it. but there's always going to be little bits of debris getting blown back at the launch, and my camera would be in the line of fire.
So yes, I'm sure I want a UV filter or other solution to protect the lens.
Are there going to be major differences in quality and maintaining of image quality? I'm hoping to find something that retains decent image quality that isn't going to break the bank.
a) A lens hood will still offer some protection if you're shooting only one car and there is flying micro debris coming from your side.
b) This situation is not unlike shooting in a dust storm or a windy beach. The filter will get pitted, scratched, and damaged, and if you don't want to break the bank, your best bet is getting the least expensive multicoated clear filter and replacing them often vs. a higher quality filter that gets pitted but is not replaced because of cost.
c) Ideally you would have a case for the camera. Back in the day, I used Jacobson sound blimps, but Pentax cases were rare, so you may want to find a customized solution to protect the entire camera.