Filter or not for 70-200 f2.8 MkII

Hi - I am a newbie and I think I posted the same question when I got my 17-55 and then the 24-70.

So what is the recommendation?

I remember reading here last night someone was keeping a cheap filter on all the time which he/she would remove while taking pictures. On the face, it sounds like a reasonable thing but is it practical?

Out of curiosity - just in case if the front element goes kaput on 70-200 or 24-70 - how much is the estimated repair cost?

Why not put the hood on all the time? I see these folks who have cheapy filter and no hood even in day time outside shots.

You will get 100 people say avoid filter and another 100 people that will recommend a filter... You won't win asking that question!

If you do chose to use a filter, use a GOOD one. You will end up spending $75 or more on a quality filter give or take. Hoya HD, B+W MRC, etc... Avoid any cheap ones, that is for sure.

Front element cost? Probably in the area of $150-200. So half the cost of a quality filter, I would imagine.

inspectoring wrote in post #15294971
I remember reading here last night someone was keeping a cheap filter on all the time which he/she would remove while taking pictures. On the face, it sounds like a reasonable thing but is it practical?

I would say that isn't reasonable or practical. The lens cap would be much easier to take on and off and provides much more protection.

bobbyz wrote in post #15294979
Why not put the hood on all the time? I see these folks who have cheapy filter and no hood even in day time outside shots.

Of course I will be putting the hood on but I am also trying to go a step further......

use the hood, it'll protect it and not have the potential of degrading IQ

Invertalon wrote in post #15294994
You will get 100 people say avoid filter and another 100 people that will recommend a filter... You won't win asking that question!

If you do chose to use a filter, use a GOOD one. You will end up spending $75 or more on a quality filter give or take. Hoya HD, B+W MRC, etc... Avoid any cheap ones, that is for sure.

Front element cost? Probably in the area of $150-200. So half the cost of a quality filter, I would imagine.

In that case it is absolutely silly to buy a filter to put on an expensive lens to degrade the quality of the lens where as the worst case scenario would be (god forbid if it did come to that) just change the front element.

I have been using Hoya Super Multicoated UV0 filters on all my lenses for many years and don't think I've had any IQ problems from using them. Its personal choice for sure.... but I use my gear and would prefer to not have a broken or scratched front element. I think the cost estimate provided is going to vary wildly depending on what lens gets damaged. That said, I've never had a scratch on the filters, so now I have the situation where if I took them off, I'd probably have an accident the next day!

That is the argument most have to avoid using filters all together!

I use one on my 24-70 II only full time to complete sealing on it. Some lenses require them for that purpose. I use Hoya HD's and have never seen any IQ drop with them, even comparing side by side with and without very closely.

inspectoring wrote in post #15295033
Of course I will be putting the hood on but I am also trying to go a step further......

Don't go out shooting.

I put UV filters on all my lens for protection. Costs a lot as I get the Hoya HDs, but I'd rather keep it protected.

If you buy, buy good from the start. Try B+W MRC, they clean easily and i use them in all my lenses.

Otherwise just use it bare and be carefull.

i have the B+W MRC on my 70-200 and 85, and B+W single coating on my 24-70 and 135 and i use the hood 99.9%

I put a UV filter on my 24-105 only. I take pictures of dogs and the lens can get licked. Easy to clean a filter. The lens hood is too short to protect it much. No filter on the 70-200 since the lens hood is more substantial and protects better.

A cheap filter will create a lot of flare and a good quality filter will have a minimal effect on flare.
Some lenses will have no visible degradation of IQ with a filter and some will.
With my Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 OS, I can see a considerable amount of IQ degradation with a good quality filter, but not with most of my other lenses.
I have stopped using filters in normal conditions and use hoods instead, especially on my walkaround lens (24-105 L).