Filters, cheap or worth the $30 ones?

Eob

Senior Member
Now that I've purchased a few lenses, I'm realizing that I've been a bit careless shlepping around my lenses, Usually without the caps on. D'oh! I've read that pros often just put on uv filters for protection. I don't own any. From what I can tell from amazon reviews, the $5 ones are popular, but can result in some visible dots and vignetting. Is this noticeable? Do most of you buy the expensive ones? Also, do you buy a polarizing filter for every lens you have? Clarity on filters in general would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
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weebee

Senior Member
I guess they can be used as protection to some degree. But there has also been cases where the filter caused more damage when it broke. And, you need to be careful that the filter you buy doesn't make contact with your lenses when attached. If you're going to attach a filter then why not get one that's going to be useful. A UV filter isn't really required with good lenses because they are coated already anyway. Get a filter that is going to give a effect to compliment the picture, softening, discolor, etc
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
While a UV filter is not required, I do believe in using a clear or UV filter to protect the front element, mainly because I do a lot of hiking and more than once have had bush branches slap into the front of the lens. I believe I use a combination of Marumi, Tiffen and Hoya filters. You get what you pay for, and if you're going to shoot through it then you want it to be good glass.
 

Eob

Senior Member
Do clear filters have zero effect on your pictures? Can you give me an example of a good one? Do you always use one?
 

weebee

Senior Member
I imagine good quality clear lenses will not effect picture quality or change how your camera functions. Actually after reading Jake's input. I may get a clear one as well because I also go hiking through the woods.
 

crashton

Senior Member
I have always used filters as lens protection. I have saved 2 lenses over the years at the cost of 2 filters. If you choose to use a filter buy a good quality one. No sense using a good quality lens & shooting through a cheap distortion & flare prone filter. Just my .02.... ;)
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
Wouldn't that be awesome to have a weekend where us newbies could learn from the pros like you weebee?
The hike could be followed by a few hours/days in post processing.
 

weebee

Senior Member
Wouldn't that be awesome to have a weekend where us newbies could learn from the pros like you weebee?
The hike could be followed by a few hours/days in post processing.

Somebody else would have to lead that march, I'm far from being a pro. But, I would like to see that!
 

Eob

Senior Member
I have always used filters as lens protection. I have saved 2 lenses over the years at the cost of 2 filters. If you choose to use a filter buy a good quality one. No sense using a good quality lens & shooting through a cheap distortion & flare prone filter. Just my .02.... ;)

What brand and model do you use?
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I use Hoya HD filters because I believe two things:

1. A filter is good protection for the front lens element. After carrying my camera around in the desert for a full day I see what collects on the front of my lens and I don't like it. After smashing a perfectly good Tiffen UV filter (I tripped over my own feet and fell, taking my D5100 with me) and thinking, "Gosh, that could have been my lens..." I took off the now useless Tiffen filter and got on with life none the worse for wear. I now use Hoya HD filters because the HD glass is pretty gosh darn tough. Really tough. They also clean up soooooo easily; fingerprints, dirt, schmutz... It all just wipes off.

2. If you're going to put a filter on your lens, use a filter that serves a purpose besides just protecting your front lens element. Personally I use a Circular Polarizing filter, but that's just a personal choice. I'll plug the Hoya HD CPL again because they also have a much higher light transmission so you only lose about one-stop, versus the typical two-stops you would using another CPL.

....
 

Eob

Senior Member
I use Hoya HD filters because I believe two things:

1. A filter is good protection for the front lens element. After carrying my camera around in the desert for a full day I see what collects on the front of my lens and I don't like it. After smashing a perfectly good Tiffen UV filter (I tripped over my own feet and fell, taking my D5100 with me) and thinking, "Gosh, that could have been my lens..." I took off the now useless Tiffen filter and got on with life none the worse for wear. I now use Hoya HD filters because the HD glass is pretty gosh darn tough. Really tough. They also clean up soooooo easily; fingerprints, dirt, schmutz... It all just wipes off.

2. If you're going to put a filter on your lens, use a filter that serves a purpose besides just protecting your front lens element. Personally I use a Circular Polarizing filter, but that's just a personal choice. I'll plug the Hoya HD CPL again because they also have a much higher light transmission so you only lose about one-stop, versus the typical two-stops you would using another CPL.

....


Thanks for the reply. Definitely not what I wanted to hear, though. I don't want to have to stop down, that would defeat the purpose of the f1.8 lens that I just bought. Boo!
 
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