Do UV filters really affect your image quality? & Tripod question

[don_lee103]

Q1: First of all, I apologize to the people who has already seen a similar post like this 100 times before but I need to clearfy myself whether I should pay $50 for the B+W Filter or a better camera bag.

Please note that I am not taking about cheap general UV filters. I am talking about genuine B+W or HOYA PRO 1 filters.

If you think having a UV filter on 24-105mm is worth it, would you recommend me a filter? I am having a hard time making a decision.

Q2: I am planning to acquire a tripod soon and I am looking for a good quality one that can possibly last a long time rather than going through one per year. The ball has to be strong enough to hold my 70-200mm securely in place without any problems.

Also, my budget for the tripod is $200. Please recommend me one ;)

Thanks a lot!
Don

[Woolburr]

Take the money you were going to waste on a filter and put with your tripod budget...that way you can get a decent one.
Like this...http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505861-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__055XPROB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

[ELT_Photo]

I don't use a UV filter except for extreme conditions (blowing sand, salt water spray, ect). If you get one, get B+W, Hoya Pro 1, Heliopan. Cheap filters will drive you crazy.

Tripod - Manfrotto 055 and 486 ballhead - best bang for the buck - a little above your budget but its worth it - don't cheap out(same reason as the filter, cheap will not perform well and will hamper your efforts).

Edit - Yes, don_lee, thats the one.

[don_lee103]

Take the money you were going to waste on a filter and put with your tripod budget...that way you can get a decent one.
Like this...http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505861-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__055XPROB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html


Are filters that bad? I didn't think about them until I saw a mark on my 24-105mm :(. Thanks for your comment!

[don_lee103]

I don't use a UV filter except for extreme conditions (blowing sand, salt water spray, ect). If you get one, get B+W, Hoya Pro 1, Heliopan. Cheap filters will drive you crazy.

Tripod - Manfrotto 055 and 486 ballhead - best bang for the buck - a little above your budget but its worth it - don't cheap out(same reason as the filter, cheap will not perform well and will hamper your efforts).

About the tripon you recommended... are you referring to the same one above? Also, how heavy/big are they? would it fit in a back pack?

[Woolburr]

Filters are for special effects and extreme conditions. They aren't a necessity....I have lenses that are over 40 years old that are still in outstanding condition...with no filters on them...and a ton of use.

As for a backpacking tripod...most of the light-weight pack type models are going to set you back more like $500 than $200....ultra-portable is not ultra-cheap. Sorry.

[don_lee103]

Once I saw a basic manfrotto tripod model which was very light but I don't know if it was sturdy though...

[Diesel_Dog]

Q1. Your going to get mixed reviews on here about 'protective' filters. There is a sticky at the top of the page. I think the best advice is if your going to be in some harsh conditions, eg. down at the pier with salt water/ sand blowing at you, use a filter. Otherwise just be careful where you go with the lens and how you clean the front element.

Q2. Again around here the ManfrottoProb 055 and 488 ballhead are highly recommended. You get what you pay for, so you might as well bite the bullet now instead of buying another tripod when you first cheap one breaks. From what I understand this combo is very sturdy but a bit heavy. Depending on the size of your backpack it will either strap on outside or it *might* fit inside.

White Rock is a beautiful place, I usually get down there once a year.

[alexf9496]

I use Hoya SMC and Pro 1 UV filters on all my glass. IMO, it's cheap insurance for expensive optics. And to answer the OP question, not unless you can spot the 0.4% light differential.

Spend $85 on a filter and find out for yourself if it's for you. If not, sell it.

[don_lee103]

Thanks for your comment. Do you know any good place to buy the tripod? it seems like dealers in canada are getting greddier these days.
Also, how do you clean your front element? I usually use the cloth that I use for my glasses. Is this ok?

Q1. Your going to get mixed reviews on here about 'protective' filters. There is a sticky at the top of the page. I think the best advice is if your going to be in some harsh conditions, eg. down at the pier with salt water/ sand blowing at you, use a filter. Otherwise just be careful where you go with the lens and how you clean the front element.

Q2. Again around here the ManfrottoProb 055 and 488 ballhead are highly recommended. You get what you pay for, so you might as well bite the bullet now instead of buying another tripod when you first cheap one breaks. From what I understand this combo is very sturdy but a bit heavy. Depending on the size of your backpack it will either strap on outside or it *might* fit inside.

White Rock is a beautiful place, I usually get down there once a year.

[don_lee103]

Thanks
But I also heard its not just the light differential. UV filters somewhat degrade your image quality but I dont know how and why

I use Hoya SMC and Pro 1 UV filters on all my glass. IMO, it's cheap insurance for expensive optics. And to answer the OP question, not unless you can spot the 0.4% light differential.

Spend $85 on a filter and find out for yourself if it's for you. If not, sell it.

[Diesel_Dog]

Thanks for your comment. Do you know any good place to buy the tripod? it seems like dealers in canada are getting greddier these days.
Also, how do you clean your front element? I usually use the cloth that I use for my glasses. Is this ok?

Yea we as Canadians get ripped off. It might be worth it to import it from B&H, or have it delivered to a friend south of the 49. www.photoprice.ca will have a list of Canadian retailers. I've seen manfrotto at London Drugs so they might be able to special order you in something. As long as your cloth is clean and soft it should work. At home I use canned air then a microfiber cloth. In the field I use a bulb type blower and a microfiber cloth (Bought in a big pack from costco, great for washing, waxing and drying the truck too).

[don_lee103]

Thanks,
I will try London Drugs but I don't know if they will offer cheap prices... They are known to have HIGH mark ups.

[SkipD]

Are filters that bad? I didn't think about them until I saw a mark on my 24-105mm :(. Thanks for your comment!Are you using the lens hood that came with the lens? If not, that is something that you should do any time the lens is out of the camera bag. Using the lens hood will provide all the "protection" you normally need. I have never used any filters for anything but creative purposes and none of my 40-year-old lenses have any damage to the optics.

[Blue S2]

Everyone has their opinion this topic. If I shot in a studio primarily, or in places of little risk...I might not worry about a UV. However, I shoot on construction sites, in the wildnerness walking through vegetation, or often by water (if not in it). I am generally glad what gets on my UV filter is on the filter and not my front element. Some lenses actually need a UV filter to be fully weather sealed as reported by Canon, such as your 17-40 and the 70-200.

I have done the tests (realworld, not charts) for myself, and honestly it was getting nitpicky at 100% for one way or the other. The only time I take the UV off is when I use a polarizer filter on very wide angles. There is ALWAYS something over my front element though. I use a lens hood as well. IN reality, I have never felt that I was losing anything, prints look fantastic, and I can't image anyone ever saying, "well this would have been a fantastic image...if you had only removed that darn UV filter!"

Just make sure the UV is of highest quality, multi-coated, etc... It will help reduce any ghosting or additional flare/reflections a cheaper one would have caused.

Check out the Singh-ray Hi-Lux UV filter. It adds a touch of warmth which is nice too.

A UV or a tripod or a better bag should not be an ultimate trade off. They are different needs that require decision based on budget and actual need. Again if you do studio work, that tripod will make more sense than a UV or a bag!

$200 is on the light side of a solid set of legs and a strong ballhead. Many tripods will seem solid...until you extend them fully. I generally the tripod lengs and the ballhead load capacity to be at least twice what I will put on it. Its not just "can it hold it"...its can it suppress movement and vibration quickly! This is a very important thing for tripods.

[Jon]

Q1: First of all, I apologize to the people who has already seen a similar post like this 100 times before but I need to clearfy myself whether I should pay $50 for the B+W Filter or a better camera bag.

Please note that I am not taking about cheap general UV filters. I am talking about genuine B+W or HOYA PRO 1 filters.

If you think having a UV filter on 24-105mm is worth it, would you recommend me a filter? I am having a hard time making a decision.

Q2: I am planning to acquire a tripod soon and I am looking for a good quality one that can possibly last a long time rather than going through one per year. The ball has to be strong enough to hold my 70-200mm securely in place without any problems.

Also, my budget for the tripod is $200. Please recommend me one ;)

Thanks a lot!
Don

Thanks
But I also heard its not just the light differential. UV filters somewhat degrade your image quality but I dont know how and whyRead, thoroughly and carefully, the Protective Filter FAQ (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=368177). Then do as you think best. I always use filters along with the lens hood. You can't always predict when a situation will arise that warrants putting on the filter you keep around "in case of extreme conditions", so IMO it's better to have one on all the time. Mine are all B+W MRC UVs.

[Mark1]

I say get the filter, but use it only when necessary. In a very controlled situation i would leave it off. But there are times you will want one, just to protect the front element. I used to put one on, as I took the lens out of the box, and it NEVER came off. Now its a only as i need. Such as dust storms in Kenya. Or beach shots. I don't know if the salt spray will hurt the lens coating, but I'm not taking the chance. Much as mentioned above I have never hurt a lens, or the filter in front of it. So I have backed down, and saved the money. Sure accidents happen, but if the fall is hard enuf to break the filter, I'm sure the flying glass will scratch the front element too. So what have you saved?