sandycrane wrote:
I use them all the time. I would rather clean a filter than a lens. When I buy used I will always prefer a lens that has been covered by a filter.
Never buy a 14-24 or any prime over 300mm, they don't take filters...
I always have a UV on every lens I own and it only comes off when I sell it.
My other two faves are a PL and a neutral density to further control exposure wen desired.
I always use a high quality UV filter on all my lenses. I have challenged many over the years to be able to select an image shot with & without a high quality, properly cleaned filter. Why do others say it's acceptable to photograph using a polarizer or ND filter & not complain that they compromised their images yet to use a UV filter is not acceptable. Show me even one professional photographer that uses absolutely no filters whatsoever. I seriously doubt you'll find even one. There are many low quality, garbage filters on the market today that CAN degrade image quality. Just DON'T buy/use any of them. You don't need to take my word for this. Prove it to yourself. Use a clean, high quality filter & take a photograph, remove it & shoot again. I guarantee you'll see NO difference.
I use filters when there's a purpose for them... Like ND or CPL. But that's it. They're the worst form of protection in both storage and use, For protection while a lens is in use I like hoods! Especially the big ares heavy rubber ones!
The reason I don't use UV filters and such as SOP is because I've seen several photographers who know what they're doing show the difference between images taken with high dollar ones, low dollar ones, and without any. And there are many negative effects from using filters. Extra lens reflections, flare, reduced contrast, etc. etc. I'm already using a substandard camera (GH1) so I need to squeeze every bit of IQ I can out of it - I don't need to be adding something that will make it worse. So, it's only when the benefits outweigh the negatives that I put one on.
ata3001 wrote:
I always use a high quality UV filter on all my lenses. I have challenged many over the years to be able to select an image shot with & without a high quality, properly cleaned filter. Why do others say it's acceptable to photograph using a polarizer or ND filter & not complain that they compromised their images yet to use a UV filter is not acceptable. Show me even one professional photographer that uses absolutely no filters whatsoever. I seriously doubt you'll find even one. There are many low quality, garbage filters on the market today that CAN degrade image quality. Just DON'T buy/use any of them. You don't need to take my word for this. Prove it to yourself. Use a clean, high quality filter & take a photograph, remove it & shoot again. I guarantee you'll see NO difference....Show more →
I ONLY use an ND filter when I NEED to (or Singh-Ray). I think people who use a UV filter to "protect" their lenses keep them on all the time.
Using a filter is personal preference. I don't think twice about my lens getting damaged due to lack of filter. I shoot more in adverse weather than I do "ideal" conditions, and I have never had a lens get scratched due to no front filter.
The lens hood provides protection, it is always on. I use an UV filter for protection only when I shoot in the rain or some dirty environments (motocross, ...)
shooting at the beach in windy conditions...keep the filter on.
Shooting at teh sand dunes..keep the filter on
add ND filters...remove the hood keep the filter on.
