18-55mm VR II Kit Lens Protective Filter

Glevum Owl

Glevum Owl

Senior Member
I've always lens caps to protect lenses when on the my cameras but I'm considering using a filter to save time firstly in shooting and secondly in hunting for the cap or sourcing a new one. Can anyone recommend what, if any, filter to use on the D3300 kit lens, please? Ta.
 
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FastGlass

Senior Member
I always put on a uv filter just to save the front element from scratches. I tend to clean the lense with my shirt. Also everyone needs a polarizing filter.
 
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DraganDL

Senior Member
First of all, any glass put in front of the lens (or between the lens and the body) is an OBSTACLE - whatever good it does, it does the bad, too. So, use it ONLY if/when NEEDED (skylite, UV could have some positive impact, the "protector" - NONE). Even the UV and/or skylight often produce NO GOOD result, that is, do not really help to avoid certain problems related to different types of unwanted rays of light)... But, the protector is an extreme gimmick - sooner than later it will get scratched and by the time you notice it, you'll end up with the bunch of blurred pics... NOTHING can replace the lens cap.
 
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FastGlass

Senior Member
With what ever filter I use, it's not intended to eliminate the cap. Spending over $2000 on a lens, seems a good investment to protect the big window sticking out there with something. Using it till I notice my images getting soft from it getting scratched. Really? I don't know about you but every time I use any lens I check to see how clean it is.
Seems I would notice it getting scratched.
 
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Eyelight

Senior Member
DraganDL said:
NOTHING can replace the lens cap.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree with the need for a cap, though I can also see times when a filter would suffice. The question was about using a filter in lieu of a cap. So, instead of questioning the question, I offered an option.

I actually don't have any of the Hoyas but thought they looked like they be worth a try. Hoya used to be a good name.
 
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DraganDL

Senior Member
"Hoya used to be a good name"
The Best. They even produce(d) glass elements for Nikon and Canon (and some others) lenses. Allegedly...
 
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aroy

Senior Member
I use Hoya HMC UV. It is about $15 in India. I have one for each lense. The best part is that you can wash it with neutral soap if it gets dirty. Your lense front element stays clean. If you want extra protection - harder glass, optically more transparent and non stick surface, you can get the more expensive Hoya HD series or the B+W filters.

If you are thinking of getting a CP filter also, then get the Hoya 3-in-one set. It has
Buy Hoya Filter Kit C-Pl Uv (C) NDX 8 Normal Filter 52mm Online at Low Price in India | Hoya Camera Reviews & Ratings - Amazon.in
 
Glevum Owl

Glevum Owl

Senior Member
Thanks for the replies. I've never been in a forum with such speedy responses.

The major problem I have with lens caps is losing them. A selection of caps is scattered around the globe thanks to my cack-handidness though I prefer to think of them as casualties of my eagerness to get the shot.

Came across a balanced and well written article here http://www.gdanmitchell.com/2007/12/27/uv-filter-or-not.

Think I'll stick with the cap as I had a lightbulb moment this morning. Somewhere in the back of a cupboard I have a cheap arm pouch for generic mp3 players. I'll see if the cap fits in that.
 
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aroy

Senior Member
I use filters mostly against dust. Delhi is a dusty place, so are out door locations. Dust on the filter (or front element) creates a lot of reflection (loss of contrast) and at times uneven transmission. At the end of a day out doors, the filter does accumulate a lot of dust. To clean it I blow on it, and if that does not clear the dust, I simply unscrew it and wash it with neutral soap and then dry it. Try that with a lense and you will most probably ruin it. I some how get a lot of fingerprints on my filters, a thing I would not like to be on my lense front element. Dust especially in arid regions is very abrasive, so wiping it off the lense will scratch the front element ultimately. And then there is spray at sea coast and water falls.

The current generation of filters from Hoya and B+W have excellent glass and coating, unlike less expensive alternatives they do not degrade the image to any visible extent. I have shot with and without the UV filters, and could not find any difference in the images. So I always have a UV filter on.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
If you're going to keep a filter on your lens most of the time I would suggest using a circular polarizing (CPL), not a UV filter. UV filters are not really of any use on digital cameras while a good CPL can really enhance your images. A good CPL can add real punch to blue skies making them look more dramatic and they give a real "pop" to landscapes in general. I don't use CPL's when indoors, or for night shooting, but other than that I really like the Hoya HD CPL's and wouldn't want to be without them.

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