Tutorial Should you use a filter on your lens?

Garry Edwards

Garry Edwards

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Garry Edwards submitted a new resource:

Should you use a filter on your lens? - Which lens filters are worth using?

When I thought about writing this tutorial I needed to make a decision – should I deal with the absolute basics and assume that everyone reading it only shoots on digital, should I write a scholarly article that explains the physics in detail, or should I try to compromise with a simple approach that also assumes that you’ll want to understand why filters became popular?​


I’ve gone for the compromise approach, if you want to know more, then Google is your...
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Read more about this resource...
 
Nicely done Garry, as is usual with your articles - a very good and easy to understand explanation. (y)

Now we'll be able to refer newer photographers to this article instead of repeatedly having to explain why they don't (or do) need to use filters.

Thanks for taking the time to write it. :)
 
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Sky said:
Nicely done Garry, as is usual with your articles - a very good and easy to understand explanation. (y)

Now we'll be able to refer newer photographers to this article instead of repeatedly having to explain why they don't (or do) need to use filters.

Thanks for taking the time to write it. :)
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(My bold). Thanks, that's pretty much why I wrote it. I'm thinking that I need to write one about lens hoods, possibly the most useful but least valued accessory :)
Does anyone have any views about this?
 
Garry Edwards said:
(My bold). Thanks, that's pretty much why I wrote it. I'm thinking that I need to write one about lens hoods, possibly the most useful but least valued accessory :)
Does anyone have any views about this?
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Only to agree, and to add that I am amazed at the number of times I've seen supposedly pro photographers shooting with the hood still mounted reversed on the various 'Masters of Photography' type shows.
 
Faldrax said:
Only to agree, and to add that I am amazed at the number of times I've seen supposedly pro photographers shooting with the hood still mounted reversed on the various 'Masters of Photography' type shows.
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I do it often. Then I am not a pro.
If the sun is behind me, and nothing bright on either side, why must I take it off and turn it round, just to avoid annoying people ? :)

If it is needed, it is at least on the camera ready to use and not at home.
 
Sangoma said:
I do it often. Then I am not a pro.
If the sun is behind me, and nothing bright on either side, why must I take it off and turn it round, just to avoid annoying people ? :)

If it is needed, it is at least on the camera ready to use and not at home.
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It's more that a reversed hood will make using zoom / focus rings harder, and often makes holding the lens more awkward as well.
There are times when I have the hood detached (such as when using a CPL, or my Lee filters), but in those situations I'll just drop it back in the bag.
 
Faldrax said:
It's more that a reversed hood will make using zoom / focus rings harder, and often makes holding the lens more awkward as well.
There are times when I have the hood detached (such as when using a CPL, or my Lee filters), but in those situations I'll just drop it back in the bag.
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Yes, I agree, there are some lenses that are more difficult to use with it reversed, but if that became a nuisance, I would just turn it round, or "drop it in the bag", but I don't see the point in doing either just for the sake of it, it may as well be on the lens the wrong way round :)
 
Let's not turn this into a bunfight . . .
I'm convinced, and have started writing it. It is, of course, a lot more work than I thought it would be :)
 
Sangoma said:
I do it often. Then I am not a pro.
If the sun is behind me, and nothing bright on either side, why must I take it off and turn it round, just to avoid annoying people ? :)

If it is needed, it is at least on the camera ready to use and not at home.
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Some people are very easily annoyed..... :naughty:
 
Sangoma said:
I do it often. Then I am not a pro.
If the sun is behind me, and nothing bright on either side, why must I take it off and turn it round, just to avoid annoying people ? :)

If it is needed, it is at least on the camera ready to use and not at home.
Click to expand...
Being a clumsy chap, I use a hood in all circonstances. It's my insurance against bumps.
 
SteveatVTK said:
I like to have a filter on when photographic inquisitive kids with sticky fingers
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I think that falls in the same category as mud / dust / salt spray - the 'muck' is not going to damage the front element directly, but repeatedly wiping it clean to get a clear shot adds a risk of scratching the lens coatings (if there's a small bit of grit in the stuff you're wiping off).
 
SteveatVTK said:
I like to have a filter on when photographic inquisitive kids with sticky fingers
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I prefer to follow the instructions given on every box of matches - "KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN"!!!
 
I had a number of filter's in the film days but no idea where they all are now. Turned out the only one I cared to use much was the polarizer filter. Found my old polarizer in the camera bag a few days ago and thinking of trying it out again. Had a red filter that was for B&W if I remember right but don't recall what it was supposed to do. Suspect on digital it might mess up a color photo! Seems the only time I ever used to take off the lens hood was when I put on my polarizer, couldn't adjust it with the lens hood on. Why I never used it with the hood reversed I have no clue but used to have a couple lens's that didn't have a hood and don't know that I could tell the photo's I didn't use it in.
 
Citizen of Bath said:
Being a clumsy chap, I use a hood in all circonstances. It's my insurance against bumps.
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Some years ago, when I first got my 100-400 L, I was out and about with it on one of its very first outings into the wild...I had it tilted upright to remove the lens cap, and somehow - don't ask, I have NO idea - it slipped from my hand. While I had the strap safely anchored to prevent a REAL disaster, it did drop far enough to clatter into the metal pedestrian fence barrier directly in front of me... And that is why I always use the hood now, AND why I was never able to use screw-on filters on that lens for the entire time I had it! (Thus neatly tieing together the two parts of this thread!)
 
I use quality filters like K&F nono-X, Brreakthrough, BW or Hoya HD (worst in the list). Generally there is very little difference to none in sharpness you would notice even on 50MP FF. If you put cheap ones, fake ones or worse plastic fantastic expect a disaster with your IQ.

The main purpose is obviously PROTECTION of the front. I absolutely hate when people sell scratched glass and try to pass it on excellent. If you are one of them please just STOP IT.
Anything in wet weather, by the sea / beach or food fights you NEED one. Your shoot might pay for a new lens but more likely than not will not be anywhere near enough. Then don't try to sell it on ebay as perfect!
Obviously hood always always always stays on the right way round. I see enough photo clowns walking with hoods reversed. Just stop it.

Now there are cases when you want it off, and indoors will be usually infinitely safer to do so. Here is a quick list when you may consider taking it off:

  1. stray sun or any artificial strong lights hitting front element or filter = massive flare. You are however better off just flagging the lens with anything, even your wallet.
  2. very bright highlights like windows in the room. unless you are doing full on lighting, which you really should
  3. Anything 200mm +. Just use the hood.
And finally it has to be said CPL and any related filters will show off any flaws much much stronger than any good UV / protector. Reduced contrast, ghosting, colour shifts, the whole lot. Only use one where circumstances really call for it.
 
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zx9 said:
So far I have over come the urge to lecture strangers using lenses with reversed lens hoods but only just.
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how do you deal with some YT clowns, some actually pretty big names?"
 
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