Filters - Wide lense or compact ???

[UK_Terry]

I own a canon 28 - 135 IS & 100 - 400 IS L

1st question do i put a skylight filter on ?
i read somewhere that it is pointless buying expensive lenses and then to put a filter on, i can remember the quote but cannot remember where it was.
I do take extreme care and always put the lense caps on when i am not taking photos.

I was considering buying a 20mm lense for my D30.
for the price of a canon 20mm i can buy for about the same price a Canon PowerShot S40 and therefore have a spare/backup camera.
so 2nd question is there a big difference between my 28 on the 28 - 135 and the 20mm on the prime (view not quality).
or should i just step back a few feet to take the shot and buy the back up S40.
I only take photos for pleasure not for gain, your advice will be appriciated.

[dadsgm]

I always have a UV/Skylight Filter on every lens I own. Mainly for protection of the lens from dust, scratches, etc. I would rather have to replace a scratched filter than a lens. There are those who say that using the filter for protection is the easy way out for one who isn't responsible enough to take care of their lenses - hogwash - I like the extra protection and it does not effect the outcome.

Remember that because of the CMOS size the camera has a ratio of 1.6 to any lens you use. Therefore the 20mm will actually yield approx 30mm while the 28-135mm will yield 45mm x 216mm. So if you want wide angle you will have to go with the 20mm eventhough it only yields 28mm.

Since you only use the camera for pleasure and not profit I would go for the extra lens. I hate the feel of those small cameras, but then that is one mans opinion.

[UK_Terry]

dadsgm wrote:

Remember that because of the CMOS size the camera has a ratio of 1.6 to any lens you use. Therefore the 20mm will actually yield approx 30mm while the 28-135mm will yield 45mm x 216mm. So if you want wide angle you will have to go with the 20mm eventhough it only yields 28mm.

.

this is the reason i was looking at the S45
1. it is 32 at the short end same as 20mm on D30.
2. because if D30 failed i would have a back up.

[UK_Terry]

Decided on getting the S45, 3 reasons

1. it will be a backup for the D30

2. can use it for parties etc where the D30 would be impractical.

3. same price as 20mm lense.

just waiting for Christmas day to open it up.

[UK_Terry]

And the answer to my first question

1st question do i put a skylight filter on ?

i found on this forum

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6264#28101

[pigasus]

UK_Terry wrote:
And the answer to my first question

1st question do i put a skylight filter on ?

Hi Terry,
There has been a lot of discussion about whether or not to use a protection filter on a good lens on the DPReview forum. After reading all the opinions there I decided that protection filters were preferable on my lenses (which by the way are the same as yours). In addition to the protection aspects of the lens, I'd much rather periodically clean a filter than the actual lens.

The majority of pro filter respondants recommended the Hoya Super HMC Pro1 filter - UV(0) (not skylight). This is an excellent and thin multicoated filter. The best price in the UK which I could find was from SRS Microsystems www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk. A 77mm filter cost me £39 incl VAT, free P&P and arrived the day after I ordered it (over the phone).

[UK_Terry]

Thanks sally
i am still not sure but i am leaning towards leaving the lenses as they came.
i am careful and do use the lense cap when not in use, i know that it means i cannot take a quick shot...but still feel the expense of an "L" lense is not worth it if i put another piece of glass in front.
many thanks for your comments though and hope you enjoy the lenses as much as i do.