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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Clear Protective and Circular Polarizer Filters | |
I used to use "protection" filters, until one day one of them broke and scratched the hell out of my front element. That happened to one of my buddies too. I started using a lens hood, which not only keeps stuff from hitting the lens in the first place it also helps absorb impact if droppped. When not taking a shot I have the lens cap on--that's the very BEST lens protector there is. Unbreakable, and totally unable to scratch a lens up. The thing that really turned me off on filters is that they do catch light and can easily cause flare, both the "sun spots" kind and the more insidious veiling flare, which decreases contrast & saturation. I will sometime use a filter IF I am at the base of a waterfall and there is grit laden spray or similar situations, but don't routinely use one. I've come to see them as more of a hazard to my lens than a help. Finally, consider this. For me to put a top quality on my lenses would COST MORE than a repair would! This makes no sense at all. I've been shooting outdoors in very extreme condtions and have yet to have any damage to a lens, with the exception of the time a filter shattered and destroyed my lens. I collect "ancient" lenses, some made pre-Civil War, others from around 1910. None of those lenses ever had a filter on them and yet they are perfect. Use a lens cap and lens hood and your lenses will have the very best protection possible. A filter lulls you into thinking a lens is protected, but really it's even more at risk. Nothing scratches glass like broken glass.
I'm a polarizer "addict" and have owned different brands. I think all the multicoated ones are pretty good. My favorite is the Marumi. It gives great performance and is reasonably priced as well. I do own a couple of linear polarizers, but only use them on my film cameras such as Chamonix 4x5 and 1920s vintage Voigtlander Bessa, which don't have an in-camera meter or autofocus.
Kent in SD
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