UV filters

[Muushka]

I am a recent purchaser of a DSLR. I want to protect my lenses and I have been reading about UV filters. Just a few questions

1. What brand do you recommend?
2. Where do you buy yours?
3. Can you recommend another (in addition) filter that you use often?


Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving

 

[TheLionKing]

I use UV filters mainly for protection. There is debate among the serious photogrpahers about shooting with and without this filter.

A circular polarizer is a "must have" for outside daylight landscape shots.

Brands are a personal choice. Some people like Cokin, some like Hoya, and some like B+W. For "everyday" use, it probably doesn't matter much. Price varies depending on the "quality" of the filter

I buy my filters from a camera store in my city.

 

[ducklite]

I use them to protect my lenses. Buy a lens, buy a filter. Mine are Hoya (I think). It's a lot cheaper to replace a scratched filter than a scratched lens.

Anne

 

[Muushka]

Thank you for all of your great information. It is nice to be able to come to these boards and ask questions.

 

[WillCAD]

Ditto - I have UV filters on all of my lenses for simple protection.

I figure it's a lot easier to buy a new $15 filter than to buy a new $200 lens in the event of a scratch.

I believe all mine are Tamron. I got them all at Ritz. On my upcoming trip I will have a circular polarizer and a star filter for the first time, thanks to sloppy impuls control - I went into Ritz to get a UV filter for my new lens, and walked out with all 3 filters, to the tune of over $50.

 

[glass slipper girl]

I use them for protection here too. I have 2 small kids who are very interestd in the camera. Not only is it easier to replace a $15 filter, it's easier to clean little smudgy finger prints off of a filter w/o worrying about scratching the lens! I typically carry a spare for the lenses I use often just in case I do scratch the filter or if, God forbid, I drop the thing and it cracks, I sitll have a spare that I can put on the lens to protect it.

 

[Geoff_M]

All of mine have UV filters for protection. It also saves "wear and tear" on the lens coatings by only having to clean the front of the filter. Rule #1: Don't use cheap filters. Camera optics are a "weakest link" system and a cheap filter can impact image quality. I use Nikon or Hoya filters. Others also speak highly of B+W filters too.

 

[Ratpack]

Same here, I have a filter on all my lenses. They are cheap enough so that each lens has one.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I tend to take them on and off depending on circumstances... drizzly soccer game= filter on, landscape from a tripod that i might want to enlarge= filter off.

Shooting through an extra glass surface isn't optimal but you do have to weight that against expensive lens damage.

 

[Charade]

I keep them on all the time mainly for protection. But as Geoff says, don't buy cheap ones or they might actually degrade your pics. I always get multicoated ones because they cut out most if not all of the glare than the filter itself can introduce.

 

[LordAthens]

Yes, on every piece of glass I own. Hoya HMC Super Pro 1's on just about everything with a few Nikon UV's on a small handful.

I source most of my filters from 2filter.com . On occasion, I'll pick them up at my local camera store, but unfortunately they are usually far less than helpful if you aren't shooting for a local magazine or newspaper. VERY arrogan there.

But yeah, INVEST in a good filter.

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

I definitely have filters on all of my lenses. I am kind of a stickler on types. All of mine must be multi-coated with low aberration glass so the filter doesn't degrade the image. I have a few B+W but most of mine are Hoya. Besides the UV Filter I also have a circular polarizer, neutral density, and warming filter that I can use to "adjust" the image at the point of origin rather than spend time in post production in Photoshop.

Jeff

 

[brack]

I keep them on all the time mainly for protection. But as Geoff says, don't buy cheap ones or they might actually degrade your pics. I always get multicoated ones because they cut out most if not all of the glare than the filter itself can introduce.

I agree with each one who said using high quality UV (and other type) filters. Both my Canons have UV filters and I carry a circular polarizer. I am looking to buy a IR filter.

 

[Muushka]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I ended up going to my local (not even Wolf!) camera store and dropped another $300. Yikes, this photography stuff is expensive! I got the Hoya/multi coated UV filters for both my lenses and got my SB-600 flash.
That's it!! No more camera stuff!!!

We are headed to WDW on Tuesday for 9 nights and then off to the Wonder for a Christmas cruise .

Merry Christmas

 

[JimVL]

I ended up going to my local (not even Wolf!) camera store and dropped another $300. Yikes, this photography stuff is expensive! ... That's it!! No more camera stuff!! cruise .

Merry Christmas

Probably not; you're one of us now

 

[rpbert1]

ok i have a panasonic DMC FZ5 camera, does anyone know what size of filter i need to buy that will fit my camera, not sure what size i need they seem to go from 27mm up to about 82mm, help very much appreciated

 

[ndelaware]

You need 55mm filters.

 

[rpbert1]

thanks ndelaware much appreciated , ordering one now as some good deals [well i reckon they are good] over here in the UK.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I'm not debating whether UV filter is needed or not. I just want to know whether 5mm UV filter will add vignetting instead of using 3mm one at 17mm f/2.8.

The reason? price difference, of course.

My only experience is using 5mm thick filter on my 18-125 sigma (albeit only 62mm in diameter, instead of 77mm on the Canon), there is no difference in vignetting between using 5mm thick filter or no filter at all at 18mm f/3.5

Any input?

TIA

 

[ldibo]

Hi Kelly. As far as filters go, I'm sorry but I really couldn't tell you. I am however interested in the lens you are using them for. Do you have that lens yet? I've been eying it and drooling. Could you post some pics taken with it and how do you like it? Thanks.

Lynn