Night-time photography/Long exposure

Does anyone who does this type of photography use even UV filters or any other filters for night time/long exposure photography?

I don't. Your sensor probably already has UV filtration. Extra filters like the UV just provide more surfaces for the light to reflect off & bounce around inside the lens.

OTOH, a hood helps to retain the contrast that's built into the lens (reduces flare) which is especially important on fast lenses, & provides some protection, too.

UV filters are a scam by brick and mortar photography stores... IMHO.

I never use UV filters anyway, I don't see any point to them unless shooting in a sandstorm or heavy ocean spray, but if I did then they would come off for night time photography if there are any lights in the scene (and for most night time photography there are). UV, or "protection" filters, may or may not affect IQ in regular use, but if a point light source is in the scene they can all cause reflections of that light, giving ghost images of it elsewhere in the image. The best filters should minimise this, but won't be totally immune to the problem.

As stated above, DSLRs have an inbuilt UV filter, which makes the UV filter unnecessary, they were very useful for film photography though. When DSLRs came along, UV filter sales dropped off dramatically until sellers decided to say they were needed to protect the lens. They provide extremely minimal protection and only in certain circumstances, and can be harmful as they break easily and the shards of glass can then scratch the lens they are supposed to be protecting.

Its a personal decision though, if somebody wants to use them because they feel more protected then great, but get a really good one as cheap ones can (and often do) degrade image quality very noticeably. Take them off when shooting towards light sources though, to minimise reflections.

Those who purchase a UV filter with their DSLR probably also get the rustproofing at the car dealership...

ND filters can sometimes be useful to prevent light from reaching the sensor if you want to do an ultra long exposure. When I did this I would normally use ND filters more around blue hour than after

For night, I might want to use a CLP and there can be some scenes that a GND would be helpful in stead of stacking exposures. NDs are often needed to get a long exposure.

No use, whatsoever, for UV filters; I've never used a GND for a night shot, rarely used an ND after about 7pm, and only used a CPL for night/evening shots once or twice.

facedodge wrote in post #16539607
UV filters are a scam by brick and mortar photography stores... IMHO.

you can buy 'em online too!

Can you get rusrproofing on the UV filter?

Tom_D wrote in post #16541432
Can you get rusrproofing on the UV filter?

Don't be stupid. They are glass. OTOH the ring might rust!!

However when you buy it new you can also get an all claims bonus insurance to cover accidents, like it falling into the toilet and things. There it might get a rusty ring.

Tom_D wrote in post #16541432
Can you get rusrproofing on the UV filter?

Yup, send me your UV filter and I'll rust-proof it for £20.

Hang on gang, most of us who have been new to "serious" photography have had questions about filters, let's try to take them seriously!

So how about we try to answer the question or at least be somewhat specific:

A UV (Ultra Violet) filter, hmm, not so useful with digital unless you are trying to protect with something like a dust-storm or sand-storm, because at least our Canon bodies have "built-in" Ultra-Violet protections!

A GND (Graduated Neutral Density) filter will help "tone down" the areas of highlight with the areas of shadows (typically between a bright sunrise or sunset and the foreground) do get used a lot!

An ND (Neutral Density) Filter simply applies "darkness" to your exposure, meaning that you can get a slower shutter speed to do thing like photographing "slow waves" or a "slow waterfall"!

A CPS (Circular Polarizing filter) can serve a couple purposes. For example, it can enhance saturation in an image, but another "fun" thing it can do is lower your exposure by as much as two stops, acting as a "low power" ND filter!!!

facedodge wrote in post #16539607
UV filters are a scam by brick and mortar photography stores... IMHO.

Corbeau wrote in post #16539655
Those who purchase a UV filter with their DSLR probably also get the rustproofing at the car dealership...

I am in general an anti-UV filter person. But I do use them when photographing in a garage/workshop environment as I'd rather flying grinding/cutting sparks hit the filter than the front element..... I'd say to go as far as you guys are phrasing it is a bit off to the people who do decide to use them.

LeeRatters wrote in post #16546359
I'd rather flying grinding/cutting sparks hit the filter than the front element

And do you notice the damage to the filters? How often do they need replacing?