Do you use UV filter on 50mm 1.4 or 100mm 2.8 macro?

I own these lenses and never had filters on them. I mostly used them indoors and when outside under conditions that never presented threats to my lenses. Now I am going on a trip where I will be shooting a lot more outside. Both of these are not my primary lenses and I dont expect to take a lot of pictures with them (will use 24-105 / 17-40 instead).

Do you think I should buy UV filters for both lenses or will I be ok? They are cheap but as they say every penny saved is a penny earned.

dkizzle wrote in post #14213613
every penny saved is a penny earned.

I agree, and you can save lots of pennies by not buying filters.

I have gone filterless for over 30 years, treat my equipment badly (I have two dented lenses) but have never suffered any damage to a front element. Therefore any filters I might have bought would have been a complete waste of money. On the other hand, the money saved by not buying a load of filters over the years has paid for a couple of really nice lenses.

Hoods, I would always buy, they provide better protection than filters, can only improve IQ and are cheaper too (with the bonus that a cheap one off ebay is still effective, unlike a cheap filter which will turn your images into mush).

I bought hoods for these lenses on Fleabay for like $5 / each. I agree that they help with some protection.

There are probably greater "risks" to your lenses indoors than out.

Still, either way, mine are usually filterless... and they're virtually always used with a lens hood.

In my opinion, protection filters are a waste of money. Just be sure to use your lens hood to protect your glass.

This is something I've always debated on. I see so many arguments for either side. I've got filters, but I'm not sure how I feel about them. I know I'll be shooting at the beach tomorrow, and I feel like I would rather have one than not.

Thanks guys. I'll just buy one filter and share it across 2 lenses when there will be a need for it.

dont go cheap on filter, its like puting +/- 5 strengt glasses on a person that have "perfect" vision

I highly suggest you put a UV filter on the macro. At 100mm, there are many times when I move with the view finder attached to my eye only to almost bump the lens into the subject Things do seem farther than they really are!! And get a high quality filter, Multi-Coated from BW or Hoya.

shinyknights wrote in post #14217526
I highly suggest you put a UV filter on the macro. At 100mm, there are many times when I move with the view finder attached to my eye only to almost bump the lens into the subject Things do seem farther than they really are!! And get a high quality filter, Multi-Coated from BW or Hoya.

Well since the MFD on that lens is greater than the length of the hood, there's little chance of hitting the front element unless you're trying to focus on the end of a stick.

mike_d wrote in post #14217932
Well since the MFD on that lens is greater than the length of the hood, there's little chance of hitting the front element unless you're trying to focus on the end of a stick.

@ OP-I don't use UV/protection on my 50 or 100 either. ALWAYS have the hoods on, even in the house. When i first got the 100 macro, i used a UV filter on it for a few months. I wasn't so happy with the IQ so i took off the filter, and things improved A LOT. It wasn't a cheap filter per se, either.. a decent Hoya.

I'd say a good chunk of people after buying an expensive phone also buy a screen protector & perhaps a rubber type cover that goes over the phone. It's reassuring for them knowing they have a line of defense & the same holds true for expensive camera lenses!

mike_d wrote in post #14217932
Well since the MFD on that lens is greater than the length of the hood, there's little chance of hitting the front element unless you're trying to focus on the end of a stick.

Sticks like this....??

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/ratters445/7017​722857/

On Friday I made a run to Adorama (before it closed for Passover holidays) and bought 1 B+W UV filter for 58mm. I will use it between both lenses as needed. Most likely 50 will get most time with the filter.

Never used a UV filter or own one.