Lens Protection

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ltchippy

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27
Name
Andrew
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I've recently purchased my first decent lens, the Canon 50mm 1.4. Some people have suggested I purchase a UV filter to protect the front element. Looking at the Hoya website it suggests there's no negative impact to the captured images from their UV filter, but it seems counter intuitive to me to cover up an expensive lens glass with a comparatively cheap filter.

Is having a filter simply for protection considered standard?
 
If you owned a Ferrari, would you fill it with Asda Budget petrol?

No...

I personally dont use filters as I find them a waste of time and in over 10 years have never damaged a lens, but if you must, use the best you can, you'll be looking £40 upwards for a Decent Hoya or B&W.
A cheap one WILL degrade image quality.
 
ltchippy said:
I've recently purchased my first decent lens, the Canon 50mm 1.4. Some people have suggested I purchase a UV filter to protect the front element. Looking at the Hoya website it suggests there's no negative impact to the captured images from their UV filter, but it seems counter intuitive to me to cover up an expensive lens glass with a comparatively cheap filter.

Is having a filter simply for protection considered standard?
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Unfortunately that question is like asking "Do you prefer red over blue?"

There's no definitive answer. It depends on your opinion, where and what you're shooting, how careful you feel you are, is your gear insured, and ultimately how much do you want to spend.

If you're going to put a filter on the lens, then it does not make any sense to add a £20 on a £500 lens. Spend as much as you can afford.

Personally, I don't put filters on my lenses, and I don't consider myself the most careful of people.
 
i used to put uv filters on and found myself taking them off for one reason or another, some caused flare, some were in the way and took them off to fit my filter kit, and i just got a nikon 70-200 2.8 and put one on and although very slighty it makes my images not as sharp, so i dont bother with them, just get good insurance instead.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I didn't think it made much sense so think I'll go without to start with and just be careful.
 
ltchippy said:
Thanks for the feedback. I didn't think it made much sense so think I'll go without to start with and just be careful.
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What you can do (I should have put this on my reply) is to put the lens hood on the lens - that will offer some protection.
 
well i have that filter it was on the camera when i bought it second hand i took a picture the otherday with lens and with out and merged them half and half i didnt save this pic so i couldnt post it but its better without the filter colours are brighter so i have taken it off
 
i use pro-digital hoya uv filters on as even with a hood on ive knocked lenses in the past, also when shooting on a beach in great landscaping weather (usually wet and windy lol) the amount of carp ive had to scrape of the lens i would hate to think i was wiping the lens, but i agree with the comment dont go cheap, i have expensive filters on and have 0% degradation on image quality, and if i scratch it while cleaning wet sand off it then its cost me £50 not £1000's

btw this is a hotter potato than which is better, nikon or canon LOL
 
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It's down to personal preference.

FWIW my preference is protect the lens & remove filter when needed, tricky lighting conditions etc. the filter on my 50mm f1.4 has taken quite a beating over the years (not as bad as my wide angle lens though) so I'm glad I've got it on.
 
That sounds like a sensible approach. I have a rather boisterous 1yr old so will probably get one to keep on the lens when he's around and for dusty/sandy scenarios, and then take it off when i'm able to or when absolute picture quality is the priority.

I was looking at the Hoya pro-digital UV which seems a reasonable balance between quality and cost. Any other suggestions?
 
i use those filters, they are perfectly good enough
 
TCR4x4 said:
If you owned a Ferrari, would you fill it with Asda Budget petrol?
Click to expand...



Off topic but there's no such thing as Asda budget petrol.......

Supermarkets get their fuel from the same refineries as the branded fuel stations. For example, Asda may buy their fuels from Texaco, Tesco from Esso, Morrisons from BR etc (I have been told this by a guy who drives fuel tankers and delievers to supermarkets and "normal" fuel stations ;) )

You may hae extra options with branded fuel with regards to added detergents but there's only flakey evidence to suggest these are of any value.

The only thing that might make a difference is the Octane rating, Asda doesn't offer a high octane fuel whereas Tescos does and a Ferrari is more than likely to need this.

Back on topic...... Having seen the difference in IQ on reasonable low end gear with/without a UV filter, I no longer use one unless there was a very real risk of damage to my front element (i.e. salt water at the seaside or a very dusty environment)
 
Russ77 said:
Off topic but there's no such thing as Asda budget petrol.......

Supermarkets get their fuel from the same refineries as the branded fuel stations. For example, Asda may buy their fuels from Texaco, Tesco from Esso, Morrisons from BR etc (I have been told this by a guy who drives fuel tankers and delievers to supermarkets and "normal" fuel stations ;) )

You may hae extra options with branded fuel with regards to added detergents but there's only flakey evidence to suggest these are of any value.

The only thing that might make a difference is the Octane rating, Asda doesn't offer a high octane fuel whereas Tescos does and a Ferrari is more than likely to need this.
Click to expand...


I work in a Texaco fuel yard.. Im an ADR qualified tanker driver...
It was a a figure of speech.
 
TCR4x4 said:
If you owned a Ferrari, would you fill it with Asda Budget petrol?

No...

I personally dont use filters as I find them a waste of time and in over 10 years have never damaged a lens, but if you must, use the best you can, you'll be looking £40 upwards for a Decent Hoya or B&W.
A cheap one WILL degrade image quality.
Click to expand...

I might. :D

But then i don't have a Ferrari.... or even have a car or drive for that matter.
 
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