UV Filters

Hi all,

I have a 450D with several lenses: Canon 17-85mm, Canon 50mm f1.8, Sigma 24mm f1.8 and Sigma 20-40mm f2.8. My question is, I notice that a lot of people are using filters on their lenses. Primarily UV or Skylight ones, and usually just as a precaution for protection! So, taking the first issue, is it really necessary to filter out the UV with an additional filter? Surely my lenses are already capable of doing that without an additional expensive filter? I'm not concerned about physical protection because I generally don't walk into walls or use my lenses to play football. It strikes me that a cheap (sub-£50) filter will probably do more harm than good, and indeed may be interfering with the lens' existing UV protection, if there is any. Am I correct about this with my lens armoury or have I got it wrong? The cost of good filters seems to be close to the 2nd hand value of my lenses themselves!

I do however wish to buy some CPLs however they will be for specific uses and not left on the lens all the time. So am looking to spend a little here. I may start by trying some cheap ebay imports as I've read some good reviews of these.

I am not sure how many threads and comments there are already on this topic with polarization (pun intended) between those who are pro-filters and those who shoot nude, but a search of this topic will give your a good hour (?) of reading pleasure.
Cheers,
John

OK, let me simplify my question. Do the lenses I have already own have UV filtering in them, or is an additional filter required. I can't find any mention of this in my manuals. thanks.

efunc wrote in post #9278274
I'm not concerned about physical protection because I generally don't walk into walls or use my lenses to play football.

Yep, just like I don't plan to get sand blown and scratch my lens, or plan some harmful liquid to sprayed on my lens (like salt water), or plan to accidentally put my finger on my lens after a long day of shooting...

Protection is for what you don't plan to do. Sure, you may not walk into walls or play football with your lens, but don't come crying when something like a cheap filter could have asily prevented it.

Also I have not noticed much IQ depredation with simply HOYA HMC filters which don't cost much at all. If you are paying over 50 euros for a filter... all I can say is it sucks to live in Europe, I can easily get top of the line filters for under 50 euros in the states.

efunc wrote in post #9278316
OK, let me simplify my question. Do the lenses I have already own have UV filtering in them, or is an additional filter required. I can't find any mention of this in my manuals. thanks.

Lenses don't, the sensor does. There is no reason to put on a UV filter other than protection these days.

gjl711 wrote in post #9278333
Lenses don't, the sensor does. There is no reason to put on a UV filter other than protection these days.

+1. to the point and correct .

ed rader

gjl711 wrote in post #9278333
Lenses don't, the sensor does. There is no reason to put on a UV filter other than protection these days.

Brilliant, thanks. That answers my question completely. Just as I suspected, I can now save my money

If you don't use a filter, be sure to keep a hood on the lens.

Even if you use a filter, keep a hood on the lens. Hoods provide protection AND they actually improve the quality of many of your pictures.

Yes, thanks for the advice. Both the Sigma lenses have very nice hoods (and are absolutely indispensable from my experience) and I intend to get a cheap'ish 3rd party hood for my Canon 17-85mm. If I'm ever out in the elements (very rare, but you never know) I would probably use a filter too for protection against wind and rain, but I mainly find myself in more controlled settings.

Browsing ebay and amazon there seems to be an amazing price range in CP filters. From only £5 to £150, and fairly good opinions across the range. I might start with one of these.

artyH wrote in post #9279029
If you don't use a filter, be sure to keep a hood on the lens.

I never use UV filters, but always use hoods.

Well, as luck would have it, I just scooted over to eBay after reading all your replies and picked up this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk …130_W0QQitemZ13​0353382215

A Tiffen WIDE ANGLE CIRCULAR POLARIZER 77m MINT(RRP $130) for my Sigma 24mm f/1.8. And all for £5.85 delivered. A couple more of these and I should be in business!!

How many thread are there on filters that turn into lens filter debates? LOL

Quick question for you guys: How do you take lots of quick shots from different angles with a hood and CP on? Presumably the hood has to come off each time to access and adjust the filter? I guess I'll figure it out when it arrives.

Stealthy Ninja wrote in post #9280153
How many thread are there on filters that turn into lens filter debates? LOL

It wasn't intended to be a thread debating filters. More of a thread about lenses, and specifically whether my 450D/EF-S lens combo already had UV protection or not. But point taken, maybe I should have searched to see if it had already been covered...

Anyway, I have a decent 77mm CP filter now!