lens = filter

i know filters are good to have. however if you have say 4 58mm filter size lenses, does that mean you have 4 filters one for each, or maybe 2 for the ones you use the most and then change them out? i would just like everyones thoughts on this. it is my opinion that 1 for each would be good. i mean once you get the lens clean and the filter clean and put it on, you only have to keep the one side clean so why would you want to go through the trouble of taking it off an putting in on another.

murtaugh wrote in post #2248912
i know filters are good to have. however if you have say 4 58mm filter size lenses, does that mean you have 4 filters one for each, or maybe 2 for the ones you use the most and then change them out? i would just like everyones thoughts on this. it is my opinion that 1 for each would be good. i mean once you get the lens clean and the filter clean and put it on, you only have to keep the one side clean so why would you want to go through the trouble of taking it off an putting in on another.

if you mean protective filters it's one for each lens....obviously .

ed rader

I have an UV filter on every lens that will take one (the 15-30 doesn't). If it's for protection, you want it always there unless you know the filter will affect the image and there's a very low risk of lens damage without it. Otherwise, it's not providing any protection, is it? I go a bit overboard on polarizers; I have 3x77 mm for my 4 lenses taking 77 mm. I'd rather not have to swap polarizers when I change lenses. The 4th lens is basically overlapped by 2 of the others; I won't ever (well, hardly ever) be using 24-70, 70-200, 100-400 and need the 24-105 as well. BUT I often use all 3 of the others at once, and have 2 of the 3 mounted on cameras at any time. So protective filters - yes; they're relatively inexpensive compared to the price of the lens. Other filters - depends on how you feel about swapping filters along with the lenses.

Everytime I order a new lens I order a UV filter at the same time. When the package arrives I mount the UV and it stays there forever...not all will agree but I have being doing this for years whereever I can get a filter to cover the lens: 35MM, film SLR, P&S, and now dSLR

If you're talking about a UV filter for each lens for protection, then yes, 1 for each lens. If you're talking about an effects filter, such as a CPL, or ND, filter, then 1 for each size should suffice.

Effects filters are pretty pointless for digital though; photoshop is your filter. I would stick with the uv ones if you feel that you need the protection.

murtaugh wrote in post #2248912
i know filters are good to have. however if you have say 4 58mm filter size lenses, does that mean you have 4 filters one for each, or maybe 2 for the ones you use the most and then change them out? i would just like everyones thoughts on this. it is my opinion that 1 for each would be good. i mean once you get the lens clean and the filter clean and put it on, you only have to keep the one side clean so why would you want to go through the trouble of taking it off an putting in on another.

If its for protective use then yes one per lens. Probably the easiest way to scratch the front element of a lens is to slip when mounting or dismounting the filter.