First L :) Quick Question.

So I am a proud owner of a new 70-200 f/2.8L IS and am very excited to start playing with the lens! I've take a few photos and am blown away with the results! Anyway, would you advise the use of an UV filter on the lens? I have a standard Hoya UV filter and it seems to affect the image. Am I crazy or do UV's apply any negative affects?

Thanks in advance,
Nick

It is up to you whether you want to apply a filter or not. A filter adds more protection for the front element against dust and scratches and maybe even cracks. Filters do degrade image quality, whether its noticeable or not is another story. To be safe buy a quality UV filter like a B+W or Heliopan filter.

You will get various answers to this question but I look at it this way,

Why put a cheaper piece of glass infront of L glass? For protection? Thats why I have a lens hood. Its just not worth it too me but to others it is. In the end its your call.

Just use it with the hood and you'll be fine. I tend to not use UV filters unless I know the lens sucks dust (like my 17-55). Its just personal preference. Whether or not it affects IQ is one of those eternal battles.

some like having a UV, others dont.
have a read of the protective filter FAQ sticky the lens section - https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=368177

there is some good info in there, if you want more info try searching "UV filters" or something like that.

I don't use UV filters, just a hood. If I was taking it to the beach or on a boat I'd get a high quality filter.

Thank you all for the quick replies! I am very careful with my lenses and will always use the hood. I do have a spare UV if a situation arises that would warrant using the UV filter (ie high dust/dirt/sand/etc..)

Nick

I protect all of my lenses with the lens shade and a filter. If I'm shooting something that is uber critical then I remove the filter but the hood stays.

Also you need a filter to complete the weather seal on L lenses.

I always use a filter and hood.

With a filter how often does ANYTHING touch the lens? Never!

Worth it to me (and I do acknowledge the fact that IQ is slightly affected).

BenJohnson wrote in post #7923958
I always use a filter and hood.

With a filter how often does ANYTHING touch the lens? Never!

Worth it to me (and I do acknowledge the fact that IQ is slightly affected).

In three years nothing's ever touched the front of one of my lenses... except my niece's curious finger when I'm shooting a few inches away with a WA lens (it's hard to tell how close she is until she inspects my lens).

gooble wrote in post #7924030
In three years nothing's ever touched the front of one of my lenses... except my niece's curious finger when I'm shooting a few inches away with a WA lens (it's hard to tell how close she is until she inspects my lens).

You don't clean them? You must be lucky enough never to work in windy/dusty/raining/et​c conditions

I just got my 70 - 200 2.8 IS about two weeks ago and love it! I'm using a Hoya SHMC filter and it doesn't seem to affect the image quality too much; then again, I don't have a set-up to compare IQ with and without. I'm just using the Hoya so the only piece of glass I'll have to clean is the filter itself.

Thanks again everyone! I appreciate all your responses.

3Rotor wrote in post #7924061
I just got my 70 - 200 2.8 IS about two weeks ago and love it! I'm using a Hoya SHMC filter and it doesn't seem to affect the image quality too much; then again, I don't have a set-up to compare IQ with and without. I'm just using the Hoya so the only piece of glass I'll have to clean is the filter itself.

20B = Awesome! Congrats on the new lens as well.

amd is the best wrote in post #7923649
Thank you all for the quick replies! I am very careful with my lenses and will always use the hood. I do have a spare UV if a situation arises that would warrant using the UV filter (ie high dust/dirt/sand/etc..)

Nick

Thats what I do, your image quality will be as good as the worst piece of glass infront of the sensor. I have a cheap 77mm filter i keep in my bag just in case, but the only time I have ever used it was to shoot paintball.