Does quality of UV filter matter?

[bolling]

I am anxiously waiting for my Canon 100-400 and wondered if most of you use a UV filter to protect the lens and if so I was wondering if there is a difference in quality of UV filters or if it does not matter which one I purchase?

[Roger_Cavanagh]

You'll get a split vote on this one, I guess. People like me who say why buy expensive glass and stick a filter on it; the filter is no great protection if you use the hood. If you do decide to use a UV filter, then absolutely don't buy a cheap one.

Of course, since I don;t use, I can't give a recommendation. :)

[Digital Prophet]

I agree, opinions vary wide and far on the matter. I for one agree that for 9 out of 10 scenarios a UV filter will not provide a great deal of protection. Speaking in general you are really much better off with a rigid lens hood as it will stop most items (like walls, people, car doors) from reaching the lens. Even better, just leave the lens cover on until the time to shoot comes.

However, having said that, there is one scenario where a UV filter is ESSENTIAL. And that is any scenario or environment where you have high winds carrying debris. I say this because I have found myself replacing two filters because they were marred beyond use by flying dust and fine particulate. I mean this left some serious lens scarring that I am glad was not directly on my lens (even though I am not buying SUPER expensive lenses yet).

But if you are going to get a UV filter get yourself a multicoat UV. I use quantaray MC-UV filters and I find that they I get few color casts and abbarations like that. That and when you hold a single cot UV up next to a MC UV in sunlight you can see that the MC is just a tad sharper. Don't ask me why, it just is.

So there. Oh and I pay $15 a piece for the filters. That isn't too bad to protect a lens if you take pics on the beach or underneath helicopters.

- Digital Prophet -

[bolling]

Thanks for your inputs.

[pradeep1]

Use a UV filter to protect your lens. Just buy a high quality one. Hoya HMC line are especially nice.

[Tom W]

There'll be arguments till the end of time over whether a filter is a good idea or not. I use them in dusty conditions simply because its safer to clean the filter than the front element of the lens.

Anyway, I concur that you should use a good multicoated filter when you do use one. A non-coated or poorly coated filter can increase the amount of "veiling" flare by its lack of light-absorbing coatings.

[stopbath]

For expensive lenses where you have spent lots of money getting the best optics, don't forget to use optical glass filters. Normal glass filters (green glass or window glass) are not to snuff compared to your lens.
B&W make excellent filters.

As for using UV or not as a shield... With optical glass, you're not really depreciating your image too much. It might be worth it on lenses that get frequent use, and have no hood or lens cap on normally.