UV filter for my lenses

I bought the polarizer I was recommended to buy on here, and I love it!

Now I am wondering...everyone says I need a UV filter. Why? What does it do aside from protects our lens? Can I take better pics with the sun in them?

Also - is there a certain UV filter I should get.

This is the one I am looking at buying Amazon.com: B+W 52mm XS-Pro Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Nano Coating (010M): Electronics Any suggestions or opinions.

(It has been a long hard day, I am not sure if this is the correct forum to ask this question, I apologize.)

Perhaps this will answer your question.

Does Your DSLR Camera Lens Really Need a UV Filter? - Tested

There's arguments for and against raging all over the internet for the use of filters.
I think it's personal choice - get a decent brand (Hoya, B&W etc), and try it - can you tell the difference?

If you can, then maybe a filter is not for you, but if you can't then what's the harm in a piece of glass that could prevent your front element from scratches, smudges etc etc.

Also, some people argue that sticking a piece of extra glass (UV filter, protector, clear etc) on the front of your lens will affect IQ.
My argument to that would be - what about when you put a polariser, ND1, etc filter on the front of your lens.... does that not then affect your IQ too.

Hi, I use a UV filter for protection and it has saved my £600 lens once when the camera was around my neck and I sat down and it swung and hit the corner of a table and put a big scratch on the filter. As far as pictures with the sun in them, I take a lot of sunset pictures and the UV filter only adds another element of glass which isn't designed to be there causing more flare or/and a big ghost sun blob around the actual sun. I therefore take my UV filter off if I'm taking images directly into the sun.

I'd rather replace a good filter than fix a great lens. I have them on every lens that will take them, primarily for protection. Even prime lenses that have a deep set element. I take no chances. Like Remooc, if I'm getting flares off of them then I'll remove it for the shot and put it back on. I do a lot of walking in the woods and I can't tell you how many times I've had a branch scrape across the front of the camera as it hangs from my shoulder. I've used Hoya, B+W and others. Not stuck on a brand, but don't buy cheap unless you're going to treat it like a lens cap and take it off all the time - in which case just use the lens cap.

I only use them for special effects.

Protecting your lens is one of the functions of a lens hood. Lens hoods also cut down on flare. I beleive UV filters were more of a concern back in the film days. Sure, it's an extra layer of protection for the front of your lens, but is there any REAL benefit aside from that? Ultra Violet rays are damaging, but you don't have any film in the camera to damage. Todays DSLRs, in my opinion, don't need such protection. You can use one and see if there is a drastic improvement with your pictures that are in direct sunlight, but i am not sure you will be astounded by any differences that may show up.

For me,, filters are just degrading potentially the quality of the base lens, with the exception of when I use the Polarizer for glare (or to create those vivid blue skies),, and the ND .6 or .9 to slow the exposure for those milky water fall shots.

What I really like are metal Lens caps,, that I can screw on,, to provide protection for the camera/lens when it is bouncing around in my backpack during outdoor climbs.

I like my Nikon L37C's. It is just another black thing on my lens that has cool looking white Nikon letters.

I'm a newbie but I got a UV filter because I got tired of finding snow and ice bits on my new lens. I guess it depends on what you are shooting and where. But I ruined a whole lot of pics because slight water spray immediately iced on my lens But I also have my camera out with kids, animals and on walks so thought the protection worth the slight degradation, not that's its noticeable on pics anyways LOL

I keep a bag of lens wipes handy in my camera bag.

stmv said:

I keep a bag of lens wipes handy in my camera bag.

Click to expand...

Me too. I use them to keep the bodies in tip top condition.

My glass is always spot free...because I have L37Cs front and rear caps for all of them.