Cheap UV lens

[syburn]

Hi,

The sales man is tempting me with a 5 dollar OEM UV filter made in china. It looks the same as the others in the shop. What sort of risk am I running here if I buy and use it. Even the Kenko made in Japan filters are only 10 dollars. How might these cheapies effect my beginners photograhy?

Simon

(PS - I in China -shanghai at the moment)

[RichardtheSane]

Depends on the lens

But remember your lens is only as good as the filter on the front. I would back away from the $5 filter and buy a kenko at the very least.

[Richiyaado]

I've come to believe it's better not to use a UV filter at all... just be careful about keeping the front of your lens safe and clean. The only filter I currently use is a CP (when I need it). I think graduated filters would be useful in some situations, so these may be a possibility somewhere along the line.