Picked up new Lens

Jack Flash

Jack Flash

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Jeff
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Well I have finally done what I have been promising myself for the last month.
Just picked up my Sigma 120-400mm os lens.Look forward to giving it a trial when the light is better.The guy at the shop tried to persuade me to spend sixty pounds on a filter but I declined.(My mate bought the same lens last month and bought a filter for a tenner.)To be fair they did have one for thirty pounds,but he said the dearer one would be better.Do you think that the cheap option will do?
 
:popcorn:


Depends where you'll be using the lens, dusty or sandy enviroment yes, otherwise no IMHO
 
I always use a filter on all lenses to protect them and always use the high quality filters. Comprising an image by using a cheap filter on a good lens does not seem to make sense to me. Some people will also say that using any filter to compromise the image quality of a good lens does not make sense but they have not seen how clumsy I can sometimes be!
 
I've never understood filters, So if you want a filter which has no affect apart from protecting your lens you'd get a UV filter?
 
Nadeem said:
I've never understood filters, So if you want a filter which has no affect apart from protecting your lens you'd get a UV filter?
Click to expand...

You can actually get filters whose only stated use is as a protector, Hoya do them. However they don't seem any cheaper than UV filters, which as well as providing the same level of physical protection, will also cut down on UV haze, which is relevant on film but not digital. So get a UV filter on your expensive lenses.

Of course we're talking about protective filters here, there's plenty of creative filters such as polarisers, graduateds, neutral density, coloureds, special effects.

I've praised my filters more than I care to remember when the end of the lens has got dinged, dusty, fingerprinted, water droplets flying around, etc etc.

If you use your kit in a hermetically sealed environment then you may not need one, but if you're out and about in the big wide world they're well worth the investment. Seem to resell for good prices as well, so a good investment.
 
Thanks for the thoughts everyone.It was a uv filter that I was offered.I will probably compromise and get a mid price one.
 
I love my 120-400, great image quality, excellent stabilisation and it helps build you biceps too!!

I reckon you'll be very pleased with the results it turns out. I bought a UV one with mine - I do with all lenses - however at 77mm they are not cheap!
 
RaphaelSamad said:
I always use a filter on all lenses to protect them and always use the high quality filters. Comprising an image by using a cheap filter on a good lens does not seem to make sense to me. Some people will also say that using any filter to compromise the image quality of a good lens does not make sense but they have not seen how clumsy I can sometimes be!
Click to expand...

:plusone:
I am so so clumsy. The amount ofthumb smears I put on the filters ,would not want to rub away on a dear lens.......
 
I got the 150-500 version recently and found it great handheld even at 500mm with the IS. merv:thumbs:
 
If your going to get a filter dont compromise with a cheaper one, you will regret it when that shot you were hoping for ends up flarred to hell all for the sake of saving 30 quid
 
I am with Frenzied Dwarf on this one.

If you are going to buy a piece of glass to direct the light waves through.....don't buy a cheap piece. You might as well save your money and buy a cheap lens, with all its inherent faults. You will just transfer those faults to your filter.

Good filters are expensive because:
they are made from optical glass
they are flat
they are coated, on both sides, to keep control of the light so your lens can resolve them correctly
the threads are cut better, making them go on/off more easily and smoother.
The optical performance does not deteriorate from the lens.

Cheap filters are made quickly and cheaply and do not have the same level of care and attention lavished on them.

As has been said, for the sake of a few quid you are bringing the performance of your new lens down to the lowest common denominator, the quality of the filter in front.

Do yourself a favour, be careful for a few weeks, then get the best filter you can find. Not even the best one you can afford, that is just looking at the price. I use Hoya Pro 1 filters (both circ pols and UVs) at 77mm they are about £80 each - I have one on each lens that takes one.

If you are out in the rain, where wind blown sand/dust is prevalent.....use a thick poly bag and a rubber band on the end to protect the lens from the elements - hole cut in a corner the right size to push the front through. Then put rubber band over to hold it in place. The rest can be split to allow you hand/eye in to work. It keeps the worst off.

A UV filter WILL help to keep your shadows clean, especially if you shoot on the beach/coast/at sea or when there is snow/frost about.
 
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