Now, as mentioned in the last thread I posted in, I'm now a believer in using reasonably priced but decent hoya multicoated filters, and don't want to get into the "filters reduce contrast vs. protect the lens" argument again. (you can always take them off in the field). In particular, I like keeping them on walk around things like this because I don't have to worry about dirt or rain or other garbage getting on the lens or about damaging the lens, since the filter is another $11.
But, not only is this a fairly cheap lens, but the filter adds a small but not insignificant amount to the length of the lens. All to cover maybe a 15mm diameter front lens element, that seems to be a bit extraneous in the first place (i.e. seems meant to protect the interior elements more than anything else.
Any one see any sense in dropping the filter in the case of this or similar lenses (e.g. the Oly 14-42, with a similarly small front element and with a similarly annoying minor increase in overall length with a filter).
It is up to you to decide whether you want to put a filter to protect a cheap lens or not. But if you decide to use one, you should get the best quality available. If it was me, I wouldn't use a filter on cheap lens (I don't know the cost of the lens in question) because I wouldn't mind changing the lens if the front element gets "tired". I only use Carl Zeiss and B+W filters on my ZM lenses.
MarcG19 wrote:
Any one see any sense in dropping the filter in the case of this or similar lenses (e.g. the Oly 14-42, with a similarly small front element and with a similarly annoying minor increase in overall length with a filter).
I don't keep filters on any of my lenses, and they are all perfect. I use the lens cap for protection. It's a lot tougher than glass, and I've had a glass filter shatter and the shards then tore up my front element pretty bad. A lens cap can't do that.
First of all, let me say I don't mind filters and have high quailty UV protecting many of my expensive full frame lenses (EF 16-35L II, 24-70L, 28-300L, 15-85 IS) that get are exposed to a lot of jostling and often don't wear lens hoods in crowded events.
That said, I checked my M43 lenses, including Canon FD and Minolta MD, and none are wearing filters. Almost all are wearing lens hoods though.
I normally don't use protective filters on my lenses, and some of them are very expensive. Like Kent in SD, I use lens caps most of the time when not shooting, plus hoods in almost all circumstances while shooting. In conditions that might damage the lens and/or compromise the photo, I use expensive, protective filters, some UV, some clear, even on inexpensive lenses (unless it's a "sacrificial" situation); otherwise, Commando it is.
