Filter lesson learned

Why stick any glass in front of your lens unless you are in a specific situation where the lens is going to get salty or dusty/dirty. Under normal general conditions don/t use a UV!

I honestly had no idea either, until I read a threat a couple days ago on this. Definitely going to do some more research now.

Bottom line: don't be cheap with filter, either don't use it or buy the good or top lines (B+W).

I never use UV filters when shooting, been screwed too many times. Instead, I use a hood to protect the lens.

Just to buck some of the parrot, rote responses, I use high quality multi-coated filters on all of my lenses except my 135 (has flare/contrast issues with a filter), and have yet to have a client complain about my photos because of the use of filters or lack of sharpness.

Why do I use filters?

• Better Resale--Front element is protected, so I'm cleaning a cheap(er) replaceable part rather than the front element.
  
• Weather sealing--Most weather-sealed Ls are not sealed without a filter on the end (I shoot in dust/rain fairly regularly)
  

MDJAK wrote in post #8384837
There's another lesson here.

Besides Grad ND filters for special effects, Polarizer filters, don't use filters at all. Even expensive ones will degrade IQ.

me

NOT TRUE. If you buy the best, any IQ degradation, if there even is any, is indistinguishable. But the price of such protection is high. But worth it if you ask me.
Its just a shame the new pricing policy HOYA has implemented... the days of discounts are over.

neil_r wrote in post #8384845
Why would you spend big $ on any lens and then stick a small $ filter in front of it

I know, it's like buying a Ferarri and replacing the engine with a Toyota Yaris engine. Personally I use a Lens hood only and the only filters I would ever use is a ND or CPL filter. Even then I would only buy B&W or Hoya's top end.

wytwolf wrote in post #8389804
I know, it's like buying a Ferarri and replacing the engine with a Toyota Yaris engine.

Yeah, it's EXACTLY like that....

Care to back up your analogy with some examples?

these:

MDJAK wrote in post #8384837
There's another lesson here.

Besides Grad ND filters for special effects, Polarizer filters, don't use filters at all. Even expensive ones will degrade IQ.

me

Luvntravln wrote in post #8389334
Why stick any glass in front of your lens unless you are in a specific situation where the lens is going to get salty or dusty/dirty. Under normal general conditions don/t use a UV!

philodelphi wrote in post #8389621
I never use UV filters when shooting, been screwed too many times. Instead, I use a hood to protect the lens.

I do have some UV filters which I use when salt spray or sand demands it. But I prefer hoods whenever possible. I do use GNDs, CPs and NDs a lot though, but those are just to get effects I can't (or choose not to) in PS. The protection from dropping issue has never been proven. I'd bet hoods do just as well and the thought of having shattered glass in front of my good front element scares the crap out of me. Further, I just avoid dropping my gear but have it insured just in case.

Markitos wrote in post #8389654
Why do I use filters?

• Weather sealing--Most weather-sealed Ls are not sealed without a filter on the end (I shoot in dust/rain fairly regularly)

But your 5D isn't weather sealed?

hollis_f wrote in post #8390892
[/LIST]But your 5D isn't weather sealed?

I never claimed it was... but, in the spirit of adding a filter to complete a lens's weather sealing, wouldn't it be prudent to add something to protect the camera body as well? The idea is to try to weather seal things more, rather than cross one's fingers and hope for the best.

Sorry, but your logic is flawed.