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UV filter necessary?

Ghostinz
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · UV filter necessary?

I go back and forth on this topic. I used to have UV filters on all my lenses, but then for some reason just found them a bit of a pain. And I typically always have the lens hood on. IDK. I just got a new high end lens with a large front element and I am considering protecting it with a UV filter. thoughts?

Oct 14, 2023 at 10:57 AM

chez
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · UV filter necessary?

I use UV filters in conditions where the front element might be exposed such as at the beach with blowing salt and sand or shooting rodeos with flying gravel. Other than that, I don’t use them.

Oct 14, 2023 at 11:23 AM

sjms
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · UV filter necessary?

i use them in so many situations that i just leave them on and save the time and effort.

Oct 14, 2023 at 11:44 AM

Ghostinz
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · UV filter necessary?

chez wrote:
I use UV filters in conditions where the front element might be exposed such as at the beach with blowing salt and sand or shooting rodeos with flying gravel. Other than that, I don’t use them.

That is actually something I never really thoughts about for that environment. Makes sense.

Oct 14, 2023 at 11:56 AM

genjy
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · UV filter necessary?

I shoot professionally and have a clear or UV filter on every single lens. I don't swap filters... each lens gets its own that stays on 24/7. My work is fast paced with lots of moving things and people (including me), so the front glass is often in danger of getting poked, splashed on, or covered by dust/sand. And when I am cleaning the filter, I don't have to be extra super careful because it's just a filter. I just screw a new one on if it gets too worn out or scratched.

Oct 14, 2023 at 12:11 PM

Alan Olander
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · UV filter necessary?

If you going to use a filter, use a clear one. No need for UV.

Oct 14, 2023 at 01:21 PM

Ghostinz
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · UV filter necessary?

Alan Olander wrote:
If you going to use a filter, use a clear one. No need for UV.

does it matter if its UV? just cost more right?

I have a few B+W UV filters and I am actually thinking about just putting them on all my lenses as others have suggested.

Oct 14, 2023 at 01:24 PM

sjms
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · UV filter necessary?

you want them to be at minimum multicoated and you are looking for good optical quality. usually they are UV filters too. UV is not necessary though. most of mine are UV

Oct 14, 2023 at 01:32 PM

Abbott Schindl
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · UV filter necessary?

Ghostinz wrote:
does it matter if its UV? just cost more right?

I have a few B+W UV filters and I am actually thinking about just putting them on all my lenses as others have suggested.

Camera sensors aren’t sensitive to UV like film is, so all that’s really needed is a clear glass filter. UV doesn’t hurt, but it can add to the cost.

I now only use filters if they’re needed to modify light or protect from spray, extreme dust, dog noses, curious kid fingers and things like that.

Oct 14, 2023 at 09:38 PM

runamuck
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · UV filter necessary?

Glass stops UV B and C. Haqve not used a UV filter in years

Oct 14, 2023 at 09:52 PM

neilvan
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · UV filter necessary?

Who's making the popcorn this time? 😉

Oct 15, 2023 at 02:48 PM

wordfool
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · UV filter necessary?

neilvan wrote:
Who's making the popcorn this time? 😉

It is amazing how many time this pops up. You'd think a quick search would reveal there is no correct answer to this question. Or, actually, the correct answer is "it all depends" (followed by a long list of objective, subjective and emotional justifications for and against)

Oct 15, 2023 at 03:08 PM

Peter Figen
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · UV filter necessary?

And the other times you might want to consider using a clear or UV filter is when you're trying to induce flare in your image on purpose with lenses that simply don't want to flare even with bare strobes in the frame and aimed at the lens.

Oct 15, 2023 at 08:01 PM

chez
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · UV filter necessary?

Alan Olander wrote:
If you going to use a filter, use a clear one. No need for UV.

Unless you already have UV filters.

Oct 15, 2023 at 08:50 PM

Imagemaster
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · UV filter necessary?

wordfool wrote:
It is amazing how many time this pops up. You'd think a quick search would reveal there is no correct answer to this question. Or, actually, the correct answer is "it all depends" (followed by a long list of objective, subjective and emotional justifications for and against)

It is because some people are just too lazy to do a search, or they are not aware of how to do a simple search.

Oct 15, 2023 at 10:33 PM

jeffbuzz
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · UV filter necessary?

Protective filters are also quite useful when working with small children. If you point a shiny, reflective glass lens at a little kid within arms reach, their typical reflex is to touch it with their finger.

Oct 16, 2023 at 01:56 PM

sjms
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · UV filter necessary?

Peter Figen wrote:
And the other times you might want to consider using a clear or UV filter is when you're trying to induce flare in your image on purpose with lenses that simply don't want to flare even with bare strobes in the frame and aimed at the lens.

couldn't do it with the filters i have.

Oct 16, 2023 at 02:19 PM

CanadaMark
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · UV filter necessary?

UV filters are for film cameras, they are totally unnecessary on any modern digital camera. Image sensors themselves already have UV/IR blocking coatings. UV filters can also cause unpleasant color casts on digital images in some circumstances, it's best to avoid them if you have the option. The effects, while minor, are only negative (unless you are specifically trying to invoke something for artistic purposes) - you get slightly less light transmission and the possibility of a color cast mentioned above, depending on the specific filter. Some really poor quality UV filters block as much as 10% light.

If you are just looking for a protective filter, what you want is a good quality NC (neutral color) filter or the filters literally marketed as such (like the Hoya Protector). They are nothing more than a multicoated piece of glass (to prevent reflections) and do not have any material effect on image quality or light transmission.

Oct 17, 2023 at 11:39 AM

tsdevine
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · UV filter necessary?

I have found that L41 (410 nanometer) hard cut UV filters (such as Zeiss or Kenko ZX L41) have a positive impact when using some Voigtlander lenses, specifically the 35 and 50 APO-Lanthars. There is some interaction between UV and the lens itself that causes some magenta shading in the edges/corners on days where there is a lot of ambient UV.

Here is a shot of a blue sky adjusted to remove the blue, with the Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 50mm f/2 with no filter.

Here is another shot with a Kenko L41 UV filter (Zeiss UV acts similarly)

So I won't get into the fray of UV/Protections vs naked, but there are some cases on digital where I've found a very positive impact. Some people aren't bothered by the magenta shading, so I'm in no way saying that you HAVE to use them with the lenses mentioned above.

Oct 17, 2023 at 03:43 PM

runamuck
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · UV filter necessary?

Imagemaster wrote:
It is because some people are just too lazy to do a search, or they are not aware of how to do a simple search.

FM search has always been iffy, at best.

Oct 17, 2023 at 04:46 PM

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