UV filters - what do they do?

Cris_L

Cris_L

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I've seen these advertised a lot, ranging from a few quid to over £50.

Obviously i get that these filters reduce the amount of UV but what is the benefit in doing this? :shrug:
 
Depends which camp your in

UV filters at sea level do very little, however if your at a higher altitude where there is more UV they would help reduce flare, I think.

However

Most people but them to stick on the front to protect the lens glass from, dirt, grit, kids lollly pops etc.

Others don't use them say it reduces the lens IQ, has no benefit, reduces image quality, etc.

For me it is simple to protect the front lens element.
 
Knikki said:
Depends which camp your in

UV filters at sea level do very little, however if your at a higher altitude where there is more UV they would help reduce flare, I think.

However

Most people but them to stick on the front to protect the lens glass from, dirt, grit, kids lollly pops etc.

Others don't use them say it reduces the lens IQ, has no benefit, reduces image quality, etc.

For me it is simple to protect the front lens element.
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the front element protection is an arguement thats been done to death - but aside from whatever your opinion is on that, they do nothing for the photo itself, your sensor has a UV filter built into anyway
 
I guess its worth it to protect the lens. So with that in mind is there much difference in the cheaper ones to more expensive brands?
 
Cris_L said:
I guess its worth it to protect the lens. So with that in mind is there much difference in the cheaper ones to more expensive brands?
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worthh it or not is a big debate.Cheaper ones will degrade image quality and scratch much more then expensive ones
 
Cris_L said:
I guess its worth it to protect the lens. So with that in mind is there much difference in the cheaper ones to more expensive brands?
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Very much so - this subject has been covered so many times it's untrue, so please do a quick search and save everyone the trouble of repeating themselves all over again...

The Sticky at the top of the "Basic" section tells how...

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=196127

:thumbs:
I thank you...
 
POAH said:
for digital nothing but they do offer some protection for your lens.
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As Sherlock would say, on the contrary. The reduce some of the haze on very bright, hot days that you get in the summer. I have yet to actually confirm this though, the UK doesn't have many of these days...:lol:
 
if you hace a 52mm diameter lens your filter will be cheaper than an 82 mm

as has been said , unless yo intend to climb mountains , any they are worth it for the lens protection alone.
sometimes most of what you pay is for the name on the filter, This is not always the case.

Cheers Steve
 
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steve_lyt said:
if you hace a 52mm diameter lens your filter will be cheaper than an 82 mm

as has been said , unless yo intend to climb mountains , any they are worth it for the lens protection alone.
sometimes most of what you pay is for the name on the filter, This is not always the case.

Cheers Steve
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Come again? :lol:
 
Sectionate said:
As Sherlock would say, on the contrary. The reduce some of the haze on very bright, hot days that you get in the summer.
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I'm not sure whether they do as I am sure all digital SLRs have UV filtering built in anyway, or that it's an inherent design feature of the digital sensor, etc. I think there are actual filters designed to cut away haze though.

The main use for a UV protector would be to complete the weathersealing on lenses such as Canon's 17-40 and other sealed lenses. Some of them are totally sealed without the need for a filter. The UV filter will arguably offer no quality loss/colour cast etc.
 
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