Filters

[mabas9395]

Whether you are For or Against, most people would agree that if you do decide to use them, get the best ones you can afford. It doesn't make much sense to put a $5 piece of glass in front of a $1,000 lens.

 

[SrisonS]

I use a lens hood to protect my lens. The one day I did use a filter, I left it on at night (for protection purposes); but I was getting glare in some of my photos because of it. It was a cheaper one though; so I don't know if that was the cause or not. Haven't used one since.

I think it'd be a good idea to keep one around though, for special circumstances; like visiting the beach or other harsh environments.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm a non-filter user. Well, a non-UV filter user. I use polarizers, NDs, variable NDs, and graduated NDs, but not UV. My latest lens has a spot where you slide in a filter near the back of the lens. You can't even put a filter on the front.

 

[ukcatfan]

I'm a non-filter user. Well, a non-UV filter user. I use polarizers, NDs, variable NDs, and graduated NDs, but not UV. My latest lens has a spot where you slide in a filter near the back of the lens. You can't even put a filter on the front.

I wonder what Kramberries does? That guy seems to have it together!

 

[KramBerries]

If you want a UV filter, don't mess with those screw on glass types. They flare. Also, as you can see from Chikabowa, they also have a tendency to break. I use sunscreen. It protects from both UV-A and UV-B. I usually use the stuff that dries clear, but you can also get some colored sunscreen for creative effects.

Sunscreen - cheaper, easier, doesn't break.

 

[sschu717]

Does anyone out there use a filter system? I've been looking at a Cokin filter system. The main reason is the lower cost to switch between different size lenses. On the other hand, the system appears to be bulky and carrying it around could be a pain. Let me know what you think. TIA

 

[ukcatfan]

It is a little bulky, but I have the P system with three filters and hood in my bag without it really taking up too much space. I have been happy with it.

 

[photo_chick]

I've used the Cokin system for about fifteen years now. I love it. To me it's much more cost effective in the long run because you only have to buy the adapter to fit all your different lens sizes, and not individual filters for each one.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

There are good and bad things about using Cokin style filters.

I think that they are essential for graduated neutral density filters (filters that have a dark area and a light area) because you need the ability to slide the line of transition from dark to light. If you use traditional screw in GNDs, you have to compose your picture around wherever the line is on the filter.

The other advantage for Cokin systems is that you can easily stack filters without vignetting concerns.

I don't see flexibility to use on different lenses as much of an advantage with Cokin systems. You can buy a screw in filter for the largest lens you anticipate getting and then use step-up rings with your smaller lenses.

The biggest drawback for Cokin systems is that you can't easily use them with lens hoods. That makes them much more prone to problems with flare and stray light.

 

[TigerLaw]

Just bought a panasonic superzoom bridge camera (fz35) and its my first time moving beyond the pocket P&S world,. . . anyway, learning about the need for a lens hood and was wondering if a UV filter would be an adequate substitute or not? also, if I use the hood, should I leave on the filter anyway or not?

thanks for the help!

 

[zackiedawg]

Well, for their primary purposes, they are unrelated to eachother, so you'd want to consider using both. The UV filter strictly works on UV light blockage, and many use them simply for lens protection. The lens hood is designed to prevent flares and streaks from light coming in at an angle to the lens glass (though again, some consider it to be additional protection for the lens glass).

Ironically, UV filters (or any filters) can sometimes be more prone to flare and streaks...so it is often advisable to use the lens hood when using a UV filter.

The only times I remove my lens hoods is when I am potentially shooting flash shots, as it can get in the way of the onboard flash. Otherwise, I usually leave my lens hoods on all the time, even at night when they serve little purpose...just because it's easy to leave it that way and doesn't hurt - plus I like the extra bump protection it provides.

 

[disneyboy2003]

Just bought a panasonic superzoom bridge camera (fz35) and its my first time moving beyond the pocket P&S world,. . . anyway, learning about the need for a lens hood and was wondering if a UV filter would be an adequate substitute or not? also, if I use the hood, should I leave on the filter anyway or not?

thanks for the help!

The debate over whether to use a UV filter vs. lens hood is usually applicable to SLR lenses.

I looked at your Panasonic Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35K camera. You're right that your camera would be considered a "bridge camera." However, I'm not sure that many folks are actually putting a UV filter or a lens hood on these bridge cameras.

Even so, looks like UV filters do exist for your camera. And looks like a lens hood is also available for your camera. However, I did a quick Google search, and found this review (link) about the lens hood for your camera:

"The first odd design aspect is the Panasonic FZ35's lens hood system.... The trouble with this arrangement is that it becomes fairly permanent. You can't just click the hood off to make the camera smaller when you put it away in a camera case. You have to loosen the set screw and remove the hood; and then it's hard to get it back on properly aligned."
​

Anyway, for bridge cameras, I'm not sure how useful UV filters and lens hoods actually are in real life.

 

[zackiedawg]

Just FYI - back in the days before I had DSLRs, I had a Sony DSC-H5 ultrazoom bridge camera. It came with an extension tube to use for when you wanted to put a filter or lens accessory on, and the lens hood attached to that (as well as filters). I had the extension tube with a UV filter AND lens hood attached to the camera at all times, and left it that way when I powered down or stored the camera. The extension tube and UV filter made the extending lens assembly essentially 'sealed' from dust, water, and casual bumps. While the lens hood did help with flare when shooting with the sun at diagonal cross angles.

It's useful for non-DSLRs too!

 

[TigerLaw]

that's my issue - for some reason, the lens hood design stinks for my camera and if I understand it right, I would have to take it off when putting my lens cap on - seems like it might be more trouble than its worth!

 

[photo_chick]

One thing to remember... digital isn't as prone to issues with UV rays as film is.

Personally, I don't use UV filters as a general rule with my DSLR. For protection I use a lens hood.

From experience, dust and debris can get between a UV filter and lens glass, or other things.

 

[pjacobi]

Filter system were used much more frequently in film cameras, when a whole collections of filters were need to change the white balance between daylight and indoor film, along with other special effects.

With a digital camera, most, but not all effects, can be accomplished by software.

For the digital camera, the polarizing filter is the most important filter to have in your collection. You may also opt to include a UV/protection filter, or a neutral density filter.

It is a reasonable expense to equip each lens with 1 or 2 exactly-sized filters. You can economize by buying filter for your largest lens, then use step-down rings for smaller lenses.

With a film camera, you might need 6 different types of filters, which could quickly become expensive on multiple lens. That's where a filter system could have a cost advantage.

Because a digital camera can duplicate most filter effect in software, except for above 3 filters, a filter system is no longer cost effective.


-Paul

 

[sschu717]

Thank you everyone for your input. I didn't take the lens hood into consideration. So, for the time being I will use step-up rings and screw-on type filters.

However, I can see the need to avoid vignetting from stacked filters and adjusting graduated filters. As of now, that is beyond my experience level. In the future I will probably invest in a filter system.

 

[Cinbride]

I know there is a debate to use one or not to. I'm awaiting my t2i and trying to figure out what else I need. Should I have a filter on to protect lens? So far I just have the kit lens. I'm so excited, I can't wait for it.

 

[photo_chick]

I'm in the no filter camp when it comes to using one just for protection. But I do like a lens hood on there if I'm gonna be in a situation where i might knock into things.

 

[My2Girls66]

I'm in the filter camp. I am a little rough on my stuff with hiking, wiping my lenses with my shirt and all.