To Filter or not. That is the question...

I am not sure what is in vogue and I really don't care.

I do have and use UV filters to protect my lens from dust I feel less guilty about taking cleaning a filter over a piece of fine optics. If the glass is well made, ie flat glass, no distortion while be added. The only problem with filters and any element in a lens is reflections. If you buy good filters that are multi coated this will be minimized.

As well as UV filters I do have and use a couple of strengths of ND filters and Polarizing filters as they do two things that can't be fully accomplished in Photoshop.

For my Panasonic 20 mm f/1.7 I also have three diopters for close up work and they do add distortion at the edge of the frame.

 

I don't know whether you should or shouldn't have a protector on.
I've read that modern lenses are tougher than ones of old.

I've read Scott Kelby books and he says he keeps a UV filter as a protector on all his lenses.
I've read others who know about photography and they say with modern lenses there is no need to put a cheap bit of plastic in front of you expensive lens.
Others say a solid hood is a better option for protection.

My conclusion from looking at this is that I will put no filter as protection on my lens.
I suppose if you are shooting where there is a lot of mositure spurting about, sea spume or whatever splashing up, then a protector would be desirable for you would feel less reticance to uncarefully wipe it a lot.

 

We're Sorry, Borrowlenses (Or: The Gear That Got Us Through CES)

'Nuff said.

 

I keep a UV filter on at all times....except when I remove it for cleaning.

 

I never did nor ever will use a filter for protection.
Even all my Leica glass after 40 years still look new.
That is the reason I returned my M8's.
I couldn't see using an $89.00 filter on a $3500.00 lens.
The newer coatings are just as good if not better than the old ones.

I tested the LensPen on an old lens for 6 months before I started using it.
It keeps things clean with no wear to the coating.

 

Actually it doesn't, as the thread title is "To Filter or not. That is the question..."

I use clear (a.k.a. "protection" filters) when I can find them; UV when I can't; and Skylight if nothing else is available. After the initial purchase I generally forget about them.

I use glass only and AR coated (look for deeper-hued reflections off the glass as a *very* rough measure of coating quality). If I want flare I know how to introduce it.

Past that, branding is irrelevant but almost all my filters seem to be Hoyas.

-- T

 

This debate has been around even in the good old days. I always use a protective filter (sorta like an insurance policy) ... while I recognize that a filter has the capability to diminish one's Image Quality (IQ), that diminishment is not significant with a good filter (the exception being the rare reflective/ghost images when shooting directly into a light source).

I have cashed in on my protective filter insurance policy a number of times (I use hoods on all my lenses as well). Usually and fortunately, I've been able to remove the shattered filter and keep on working.

Gary

 

Alan.... I use the large in the office and a small with the camera.
I don't carry film anymore but I always have a LensPen wherever the camera is.

Lens Pen - Cleaning

 

Gary,
I don't use hoods either. I have around 20 Leica hoods laying around that I never used.
I like it raw buddy.....

 

Well ... some of us like to dress up for dinner ... and there are some who go commando ... lol

Gary

 

That's what I meant by 'cheap plastic filter'. I don't know what they are made from.

 

No.

 

Spuff,
They were Leica filters comped because they have sensor issues.
Talk about a shattered dream.....

 

My 100-300mm lens (with G2) recently fell front first onto pavement. I had a cheap UV filter on it at the time which saved my lens. I had to cut the filter off and the threads on the lens require more effort to screw things on to it now... but the ~$20 fall could have cost me over $500.

I'm using a more expensive Hoya filter now, but I did posted a picture of the broken filter on the amazon gallery:
Customer Image Gallery for Zeikos ZE-FLK67 67mm Multi-Coated 3 Piece Filter Kit (UV-CPL-FLD)

Needless to say, I plan to keep a filter son all my lenses for as long as I can