Is a UV filter OK as a lens protector?

[alan sh]

I normally buy skylight filters to keep my lenses scratch free. Yesterday I was mistakenly sold a UV filter. What is the difference and is it OK to use it with my 20D as a lens protector ?

Thanks

Alan

[cmM]

I use UV filters on all my lenses

[Andy_T]

If you want it mainly for protection, than it will work just as well.

Best regards,
Andy

[CoolToolGuy]

There is a slight color shift between the UV and the Skylight filters, but unless the particular lens you are putting it on has a color shift that puts it over the edge you will not notice it. My approach is to buy the same type for all my lenses so whatever effect is applied goes across all my shots. As mentioned, if I find that one gives an undesireable look, switch to the other. I have not yet found a reason to switch from UV to Skylight, but that could come.

I have, however, had to change filters due to thickness. On my EF-S 17-85 IS a normal UV filter with a C-POL on top will cause vignetting. The Hoya Pro-1 is thin enough to avoid this and still provides a front thread.

Hope this helps.

Have Fun,

[alan sh]

All mine are Hoyas.

Thanks for the help.

Alan

[thomasrhee]

I use B+W MRC (multicoat) UV filters on every lens I buy.

tyr

[SkipD]

I normally buy skylight filters to keep my lenses scratch free. Yesterday I was mistakenly sold a UV filter. What is the difference and is it OK to use it with my 20D as a lens protector ?Alan, using any "cheap" filter is asking for problems with flare if you are shooting towards a light source. If you insist on using a filter all the time, make sure it is a high quality multicoated filter. The difference between skylight and UV is so minor that you probably could never tell the difference.

That said, I never use any filter for "protection" unless I am planning on shooting in a sandstorm or some similar situation where it is probable that something will impact the lens. Normally I only use filters for creative reasons.

I always, however, use a lens hood. A well-designed lens hood will help to keep stray light from hitting the lens and causing flare. It will also give you a lot of physical protection. It will keep your fingers off the lens, act as a bumper so you don't impact the lens with other things, etc.

[xstrio]

could some makes of filter degrade the quality of the photo, if so which filters are considered good enough not to do so.

[ohenry]

could some makes of filter degrade the quality of the photo, if so which filters are considered good enough not to do so.

Depends on how one defines image degradation... ALL filters increase the possibility of lens flare by adding two glass surfaces for light to deflect off and also by bringing the effective front element closer to the front of the lens. Even multi-coated lenses are prone to this, albeit they do help.

Will a cheap filter degrade an image? If you view all of your shots on your monitor at web quality, doubtful that you'll ever notice it. But if you examine your pictures closely at 100% magnification or print them at 100% or greater and examine the photo critically with a loupe, you'll likely see the errors. If you're just doing photography for your own personal enjoyment and web sharing, it probably doesn't make much difference. But if you're submitting your work for inclusion in magazines and other professional work, any degradation is critical.

[neil_r]

There are loads of threads dealing with this.
Start here:-

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=64370

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=64329&highlight=filter

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=62946&highlight=filter

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=59084&highlight=filter

[xstrio]

after reading the above links i can now see the pro`s and cons of filters,, i`ve recently got a lens worth a few hundred pounds and was just worried about it getting scratched but i also don`t want to loose image quality in the process.

[Monito]

Best lens protector is a lens cap. Take the lens cap off to make pictures. If you are doing extended shooting in hazardous conditions (salt sea spray, angry crowds), then a high quality UV filter is useful. I am shooting more and more without any filter. In fact, I am using a circular polarizing filter more than a UV these days.