Use filters or not?

Mani Gill

Mani Gill

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Mani
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Hi I have just purchased my first 24-105L lens, probably the biggest investment I will make to my amateur photography (I hope). I purchased the lens from the classifieds. However I was wondering if there is a need to add a filter to the lens or not? Does it impact on the image quality? The lens is an upgrade to my 18-135mm kit, I am hoping I see a difference to IQ when I test it next week. Thanks guys in advance.
 
Mani Gill said:
Hi I have just purchased my first 24-105L lens, probably the biggest investment I will make to my amateur photography (I hope). I purchased the lens from the classifieds. However I was wondering if there is a need to add a filter to the lens or not?
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No.

Does it impact on the image quality? The lens is an upgrade to my 18-135mm kit, I am hoping I see a difference to IQ when I test it next week. Thanks guys in advance.
Click to expand...

Yes.

Use the lens hood supplied for protection.
 
What kind of filter? There are many. Depending on what you're shooting, circular polarisers and ND filters come in really useful. A cheap filter may potentially degrade IQ, but if you buy decent quality ones that shouldn't be an issue.
 
Thanks guys for the quick advice, If I were to use one it would have been a clear Hoya or B W filter, the last thing I want to do is degrade IQ by applying a filter, will use the hood provided. Would be less concerned knowing there is an extra barrier though, I'm a bit OCD with my gear.
 
How do you use your camera? Are you a studio shooter, or an out-where-there's-dirt-and-stuff-flying-about kind of guy?

If there's a risk of regularly getting gunk thrown up at the front element, then any degradation from a good quality UV or skylight filter will be massively offset by the protection it offers.
 
Out and about, landscapes, coastal walks, cities and just the general portraits, I do not do any studio shooting.
 
Have a set of filters in the bag suitable to your type of photography.. u/v, polarising, ND and GND, coloured filters if you shoot b&w.

Use the right one when you need to, and only use a filter when you need it. Know what each type of filter does (positives and negatives) so that you can decide when you need to use them.

Always use a hood.

Simples..
 
neil_g said:
UV filters are great..
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...when you run out of clays

Skeet-Shooting.jpg
 
Just get it insured new for old and forget about filters, unless you need them for creative reasons.

IMO, of course.

I would, however whack one on if I was going somewhere where it was likely to get splashed/sandy/muddy etc
 
neil_g said:
UV filters are great..


..as coasters.

:naughty:
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Great idea, I bought a UV off the classifieds for my 70-200 but can't say I'm happy with it. Was going to relist it but may have found a new use, lol.
 
Good idea to get the camera insured, I think it may be covered under my home insurance.

Right hood goes on and no filter.
 
Alastair said:
Have a set of filters in the bag suitable to your type of photography.. u/v, polarising, ND and GND, coloured filters if you shoot b&w.

Use the right one when you need to, and only use a filter when you need it. Know what each type of filter does (positives and negatives) so that you can decide when you need to use them.

Always use a hood.

Simples..
Click to expand...

:plusone:

A lot of people are adamant that you should never use a UV filter, I prefer to treat it as any other filter and use one when I need the extra protection.
 
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