UV or CP Filter

[Lunawolfy]

Hey all,

Having recently purchased a 17-85 IS USM for my upcoming holiday I've been looking at getting a filter (photo newb incoming) however I'm stumped between a UV or a CP filter.

With the UV, historically (I think) they were used to stop sunlight spoiling your film, nowadays they just seem to protect your front element.

CP on the other hand reduces metallics and increases contrast, something which I think I could do with in dreary Scotland

So please help a newb out with some friendly explanation (I tried reading a wiki page on filters, was utter baffled by them all!)

 

[TCR4x4]

Hey all,

Having recently purchased a 17-85 IS USM for my upcoming holiday I've been looking at getting a filter (photo newb incoming) however I'm stumped between a UV or a CP filter.

With the UV, historically (I think) they were used to stop sunlight spoiling your film, nowadays they just seem to protect your front element.

CP on the other hand reduces metallics and increases contrast, something which I think I could do with in dreary Scotland

So please help a newb out with some friendly explanation (I tried reading a wiki page on filters, was utter baffled by them all!)

UV has no purpose on digital at all, except for the argument of protection, but even that's a slim argument IMO.
A polariser will cut reflections from water, glass, foliage etc. it can also darken blue sky's and make clouds pop a bit more.
If there is no blue sky to start with, it won't do anything, and you also need to be the correct angle from the light source for it to be fully effective. You will also loose some light, up to 2 stops overall.
On the wider end of the lens, you may also experience part of the frame polarised and part not, causing one corner to be darker than the other.

 

[iPhoto]

Hey all,

Having recently purchased a 17-85 IS USM for my upcoming holiday I've been looking at getting a filter (photo newb incoming) however I'm stumped between a UV or a CP filter.

With the UV, historically (I think) they were used to stop sunlight spoiling your film, nowadays they just seem to protect your front element.

CP on the other hand reduces metallics and increases contrast, something which I think I could do with in dreary Scotland

So please help a newb out with some friendly explanation (I tried reading a wiki page on filters, was utter baffled by them all!)

There is a third option, designed by Canon for their lenses so one assumes they wouldn't design something that is going to screw up the IQ of their L lenses ? http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-77mm-regular-protect-filter/MTQ2

Mark

 

[hollis_f]

There is a third option, designed by Canon for their lenses so one assumes they wouldn't design something that is going to screw up the IQ of their L lenses ?

Canon filters are, so I've heard, re-branded Tiffen. And the lowest quality Tiffen at that. Canon probably know that anybody who really cares about IQ won't touch them with a bargepole.

 

[iPhoto]

Canon filters are, so I've heard, re-branded Tiffen. And the lowest quality Tiffen at that. Canon probably know that anybody who really cares about IQ won't touch them with a bargepole.

Truth be told, anyone who was to put IQ above all else would not fit ANY filter!

The OP was generalising on UV and CPL as the only options, no mention of make. So notwithstanding the fact tiffen also make UV and CPL filters, I submit the ‘protect’ filter remains a third option :shrug:

Mark