UV filters, do you use them?

[mrk]

I don't have a UV filter for my 18-55 usm and have been happy with the colour reproduction it gives but for some reason on the 50mm 1.8 mkII with UV filter I can't help but notice slight colour washing in certain lighting when using the flash? I have yet to expriment with and without the uv but wondered if anyone here uses UV filters for everything or just for ourdoor shooting?

[Adam Hicks]

Well I use UV filters, but I like the B+W MRC filters which cost more than the 18-55 or 50mm 1.8 itself! I don't use one on my 50mm. When I get the 1.4 I will.

I don't think that 'adding' glass to your lens is going to help with anything but preventing scratches to the lens itself. The whole UV/Haze effects are minimal at best.

Adam

[mrk]

Well I use UV filters, but I like the B+W MRC filters which cost more than the 18-55 or 50mm 1.8 itself! I don't use one on my 50mm. When I get the 1.4 I will.

I don't think that 'adding' glass to your lens is going to help with anything but preventing scratches to the lens itself. The whole UV/Haze effects are minimal at best.

Adam
hmm, it may be a case of my RAW processing in some images at times then I guess :p

Normally I shoot in RAW all the time but recently Ive discovered that fine jpeg is perfectly clean and crisp for prints up to A3 so I'm more than happy shooting right first time round or doing several of the same shot in jpeg just to get teh correct exposure ;o

Thanks!

[Bruce Hamilton]

I don't think that 'adding' glass to your lens is going to help with anything but preventing scratches to the lens itself.
That's why I use them... I prefer to ruin a $25 filter rather than a $1000 lens. And since a UV doesn't improve picture quality by a large proportion, the cheaper filters are more than adequate for my needs.

[Persian-Rice]

I have one on every single lens I own. Prevents damage and dirt.
In the long run, a lens with a UV filter on it will likely last longer in terms of dust and damage.

I don't even think people use it for it's UV effects, just to keep their equipment safe. It's like rental car insurance, you spend the extra couple bucks and avoid future problems.

Cheers

[ohenry]

I only use them if the environment calls for them. Never damaged a front element in 30+ years of SLR photography. I know plenty of people that like the peace of mind and that's fine for them. I will put one on if I'm exposed to salt spray, grimey curious kid fingers, or harsh UV light. To each their own. I don't think there is a definate answer for this question that gets asked so frequently.

[KennyG]

I'll avoid this big can of worms issue as most people know my stance on filters. However, an interesting paragraph at the end of an article in EOS Magazine about using PS instead of traditonal filters commented "some lenses that give excellent results with a digital camera show a sudden drop in performance when a filter is attached". They are planning to draw up a list of said lenses at some point, but suggest carrying out tests yourself. They also say that, where image degradation due to filters wasn't really noticed with film, the resolution of the newer top-end digital cameras (1Ds and 1Ds MK-II in particular) will highlight any such problems.

[IncompletePete]

I use Hoya UV filters on my kit just to protect it. I wouldn't go for cheap filters, why put a cheap bit of plastic over a £1000 lens, kinda defeats the point of it!

[EoSD30fReAk]

i use them when shooting in salty or dirty enviroment!! most of the time i don't, because like said before why put a 20$ piece of glass in front of a 1000$ lens except for protection? it realy depends on how you treat your lenses, if you get in dirty circumstances i would realy use one but otherwise be careful and don't use it.


i also agree on the point that most peope will use it for protection rather than for the UV effect.

[WestFalcon]

I use them for protection....under ideal conditions , I may take them off for a shot. I don't think they do much of anything except protect the lens and if that is an expensive lens, they are worth it...all my lenses have filters on them....any decent well known brand is ok like tiffen, hoya, Canon, nikon

[mrk]

hmm

The filter on my 50 is a Canon 1x UV, I think what I will do is remove the filter for a few weeks and shoot without it then see if over that time period I have noticed any difference. if I do then I guess it will be clear which method works best for my shooting!

[robertwgross]

I use Hoya UV filters on my kit just to protect it. I wouldn't go for cheap filters, why put a cheap bit of plastic over a £1000 lens, kinda defeats the point of it!

I'm not aware of any manufacturer of UV filters that uses plastic for the filter. Are you?

---Bob Gross---

[Bruce Hamilton]

I'm not aware of any manufacturer of UV filters that uses plastic for the filter. Are you?
Cokin. ;)
I know... We're talking about screw-in filters, but you asked...

[IncompletePete]

Jessops own brand filters are plastic, as are most cheap filters I've come come across.

[robertwgross]

Amazing. I've never seen a non-glass UV filter.

Cokin filters are for gradients and colors, and they are plastic of course, but I've never seen a Cokin filter for just UV.

---Bob Gross---

[CoolToolGuy]

Perhaps a good thing that this thread started at this time of year, since the reduction in traffic will keep the flames low. :rolleyes:

I have a UV on every single lens. As others have noted, this is primarily for physical protection for the expensive lenses.

However, I have noticed something with the EF-S lenses - if you have a UV (or other) filter on all the time you may not be able to add a polarizer or other filter on top of it without vignetting in the corners. They seem to be designed to handle just one filter. This is a side-benefit of the crop factor with full-frame lenses. I went to a Hoya Pro-1 on the EF-S 17-85 IS to combat this. The Pro-1 is the thinnest filter available with a front thread.

Have Fun,

[Jimbob]

Amazing. I've never seen a non-glass UV filter.

Cokin filters are for gradients and colors, and they are plastic of course, but I've never seen a Cokin filter for just UV.

---Bob Gross---
Hello Bob,
The Cokin system has a UV filter # 231 and a Skylight filter # 230 according to their catalogue. I have not used either of them however. I just use #198 for super phony sunsets now and again.
Jim.

[robertwgross]

Just because the Cokin system has a model number for a UV filter does not mean that anybody actually stocks them. I think the Cokin system is fine for special effects, special colors, gradients, etc. However, using a rectangular piece of plastic as a UV filter kind of goes against my grain.

Let's just ask the question: Does anybody use a Cokin filter for UV?

---Bob Gross---

[Jimbob]

Just because the Cokin system has a model number for a UV filter does not mean that anybody actually stocks them. I think the Cokin system is fine for special effects, special colors, gradients, etc. However, using a rectangular piece of plastic as a UV filter kind of goes against my grain.

Let's just ask the question: Does anybody use a Cokin filter for UV?

---Bob Gross---
Hello Bob,
I certainly agree with you and your reluctance to put a piece of plastic in front of $1000 worth of good glass. Now that I am digital the Cokin #198 orange piece of plastic will have very limited use if any. Isn't PShop wonderful.
Cheers.
Jim.

[robertwgross]

Isn't PShop wonderful.

I've never used PhotoShop, so I can't say.

---Bob Gross---

[lomond]

I use a UV filter on most of my lenses for protection only, and remove when I don't need that protection. I say most because I would never use a cheap filter again. I know from experience cheap filters produce poor images.
Any filter on a lens must impact on the quality of the final image.
I only use Hoya Pro 1 filters therefore wouldn't use a filter on, for instance, my 50mm 1.8 since the filter is almost the price of the lens.

Cameron

[Giant]

I've never used PhotoShop, so I can't say.

---Bob Gross---

So what do you use? I am just curious.

[flyfisher]

I use uv filters on all my lenses only for protection i don't notice any difference without out them and they are cheaper to replace than a lens

[roanjohn]

NO - I use a hood.

Ro1

[robertwgross]

So what do you use? I am just curious.

I'm one of the ones who learned Corel Photo-Paint years ago, and I am still on version 8.

---Bob Gross---

[sdommin]

I'm one of the ones who learned Corel Photo-Paint years ago, and I am still on version 8.

Wow - I thought I was the only one who stuck with PhotoPaint. I'm slightly more modern though, I use version 9 (version 12 is the current one!).

[johndm]

Screwed a Hoya Pro-1 filter onto my new 100-400 L as soon as I unwrapped it on christmas morning........just happened to have a new filter ready..;)

[lomond]

Screwed a Hoya Pro-1 filter onto my new 100-400 L as soon as I unwrapped it on christmas morning........just happened to have a new filter ready..;)

There's lucky.

Nice present, BTW. Sadly I had to pay for mine.

Cameron

[TammieO]

I have UV filters on my lenses for protection.

[DocFrankenstein]

I don't know if you "should" or "shouldn't"...

I bought one usual hoya for 70-200 f/2.8 sigma... 40 bucks wasted! It does not focus with the filter and the image degradation is very noticeable.

I don't care about my kit lens enough to protect it. 50/1.8 has a deeply recessed element, thus elliminating a need for one.

But then I missed some whots because I decided not to shoot my friends at a barbecue. There was just too much smoke and it would've damaged the lens for sure :)

I also read numerous opinions by "seasoned pros" of different kinds recommending staying away from filters and just using hoods.

Cheers

[colliewalker1]

I'll avoid this big can of worms issue as most people know my stance on filters.
I don't know your stance on filters - can you kindly 'fill me in' please as I would be VERY interested to know it.

[Penguin_101_1]

I have it on all of my lenses. If I think it will hurt the picture I will take it off. No big deal. :)

[colliewalker1]

That's why I use them... I prefer to ruin a $25 filter rather than a $1000 lens. And since a UV doesn't improve picture quality by a large proportion, the cheaper filters are more than adequate for my needs.Did you consider Sky filters? it seems to me that a UV filter may seldom be necessary as I don't find haze a problem - no mountains and few distant horizons where I live - or where I'm likely to visit.! From what I have read about filters I understand that IA or 1B Sky filters add warmth to a photo by removing 'blueishness'- the latter more so.

I have been thinking about buying a Sky filter(for my 'modest' EF 18-55mm lens) but am concerned about the possibility of image degradation: on the other hand, buying an expensive filter to experiment seems a bit unappealing:confused: !

Advice welcomed please!

[roanjohn]

What brand filters??? Please share everyone!!

Ro1

[CoolToolGuy]

What brand filters??? Please share everyone!!

Ro1My brand of choice is B+W. However, I have a Hoya Pro-1 on my EF-S 17-85 to address vignetting.

B+W may be overkill, but isn't that why amateurs buy 'L' glass in the first place? ;)

Have Fun,

[Bruce Hamilton]

From what I have read about filters I understand that IA or 1B Sky filters add warmth to a photo by removing 'blueishness'- the latter more so.While you are correct that sky filters add warmth, they are also pink in color and filter out light which can effect your exposure. UV filters are closer to being neutral glass. Plus, UV filters are more commonly posted for sale in the marketplace forum.

[Jon]

Plus, UV filters are more commonly posted for sale in the marketplace forum.
Now there's a real recommendation for UV vs. sky!

[ralee]

I normally dont use them except when I shoot competitive swimming. A few years ago at a swim meet one of my partners did not realize water was splashed on his lens ( just a drop) but it was on all day and when he tried to wipe it off it would not. The water mark was permanent, I guess the chlorine ate away the lens coating. Too bad.


Rob

[vjack]

I found this article to be helpful: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-feb-05.shtml

[_dreamer]

I found this article to be helpful: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-feb-05.shtml

I was just planning to post this link and you did it first!!! not polite ;)

[felix21685]

interesting link
i guess ill leave the filter off for a few shoots and see how it goes :)