At least we can be assured that since a filter won't degrade image quality that the sum of "no degradation" on each filter will still be "no degradation" with all nine of the non-degrading filters in use. :-)
But in all seriousness, one issue regarding the "filter as insurance" approach is that the cost of the "insurance" can become quite high if you a) use filters whose optical quality is equal to the optical quality of your lenses, b) put one of these fine filters on each of your lenses, and c) think through the odds of actual damage, the cost of that damage, and your total cost of insurance.
molson wrote:
Yes... these B+W filters cost a lot, so I use a moderately priced Canon UV filter to protect the B+W filter. The Canon filters are a bit fragile, so I cover them with a Hoya to make sure they don't get scratched. Just to be on the safe side, I put a cheap eBay skylight filter on each Hoya, because I can afford to throw them away when they get scratched. On an important shoot in nasty conditions, I'll have five or six of these cheapo filters stacked up on the front of my good filters, and I can quickly peel off the outer ones as they get mucked up without interrupting my shooting (kind of like the tear-away visor covers race car drivers wear).
I also find the big stack of filters acts like the "crumple zone" on a car, so they sacrifice themselves to absorb all the impact when I drop my camera on concrete, and all that extra weight on the front of the lens helps ensure that it strikes the ground end-first....Show more →
molson wrote:
Yes... these B+W filters cost a lot, so I use a moderately priced Canon UV filter to protect the B+W filter. The Canon filters are a bit fragile, so I cover them with a Hoya to make sure they don't get scratched. Just to be on the safe side, I put a cheap eBay skylight filter on each Hoya, because I can afford to throw them away when they get scratched. On an important shoot in nasty conditions, I'll have five or six of these cheapo filters stacked up on the front of my good filters, and I can quickly peel off the outer ones as they get mucked up without interrupting my shooting (kind of like the tear-away visor covers race car drivers wear).
I also find the big stack of filters acts like the "crumple zone" on a car, so they sacrifice themselves to absorb all the impact when I drop my camera on concrete, and all that extra weight on the front of the lens helps ensure that it strikes the ground end-first....Show more →
I do the same thing - thought I was the only one. And, I only shoot from inside my car, with the windows rolled up.
I have gotten away from using filters unless I am in a dusty or wet area and when I do use one i use the protector filter it's clear glass coated and a little less money than a UV filter. But from what I have read with the digital camera one does not need a UV
So going to Africa I would use a filter just to protect my glass in the dusty environment
