Knowing that UV filters do degrade IQ, do you still use one?

Some of the best photographs in the world were taken 100 years ago on glass plates with Charmin ultra-soft optics. Practice composition and lighting, then worry about sharp pictures.

I shoot without my filters on and hoods attached unless the situation requires them.

nikesupremedunk wrote in post #12618788
my hoya pro 1 digital mrc and b+w f-pro mrc do not "degrade" IQ. at least as far as i can tell. and i like having that added protection against dust and whatever filth it's exposed to even w/ the hoods on.

I use the same filters and I cannot see any difference in image quality. I generally do not use hoods so I feel more comfortable with the uv on. There is no right or wrong here but considering I have probably spent about $500 to $700 on good uvs I can see how it makes sense not to use them. It's like insurance, it's money wasted til you make a claim

Tommydigi wrote in post #12619560
It's like insurance, it's money wasted til you make a claim

Well said, Tommy!

mine stay on all the time, im wedding photographer who has to shoot rain or shine in all kinds of locations (mostly beaches). id rather wipe my lens filter off then the front element of my expensive lens any day.

nope, no filters for me, bought them and then removed them.. as long as your using a hood and are sensible with the exposure of the front glass to the elements, i dont see the need for UV filters.

Yes. Hoya HD on all of my lenses. I'll take on anyone who clames to see any difference. :P

all joking aside, it makes me feel more ensured. And it keeps the dust out of my 17-55. Pictures are still sharp, and I havent encountered any problems with flares.

In real life i use filters, peer pressure sucks for the lonely

i'm sure i've replied to this before saying no i don't use them......

edit - saying that, the 50mm/2.0 i bought for my film SLR used came with one!!! so maybe i do use one from time to time

Oh crap! I just banged my lens against a wall! And I heard a loud shatter!!! ...... Whew good thing it's only the filter.

I use Hoya HD's on all my lenses, full time. I remove them only when I use a CPL or at night, although, I don't think the filter does much anything to increase the flare that I have seen.

chrisandaivi wrote in post #12621212
Oh crap! I just banged my lens against a wall! And I heard a loud shatter!!! ...... Whew good thing it's only the filter.

Well......if you had a hood on you would not have heard the sound of glass!

If you buy a good filter it should not be much of a problem. I prefer to have my uv filter scratched then my lens.

Good filters don't necessarily degrade IQ.

alpha_1976 wrote in post #12621657
Good filters don't necessarily degrade IQ.

Ofcourse they do, by a noticable amount though? Under some conditions?

Theres a trade off between a UV filter and IQ and its down to you to make that choice.

Checkout lensrental.com article on UV filters.

Marloon wrote in post #12618145
Hello Everyone,

Knowing that UV Filters do degrade IQ, do you still use one? We have all spent a lot of money on filters, and now, I am starting to decide to take off all of my filters off all of my lenses...

thoughts?

Cheap UV, CPL, NG and so on filters degrade IQ - do not buy them.