everprentice
Senior Member
You do have a good point. However there is an assumption that if the filter broke, it might have caused considerable damage to the front element if the lens was bare.
On UV Filters: Do you have it on?
- Thread starter everprentice
- Start date
You do have a good point. However there is an assumption that if the filter broke, it might have caused considerable damage to the front element if the lens was bare.
everprentice
Senior Member
Well I can attest to that. My D90 with the 18-200 VR lens fell lens first off my tripod and on granite steps of the Minnesota State Capitol. Took a tumble but not a scratch on the glass. Some time after that I cleaned it and took the front element out, to my surprise it was inches thick.
everprentice
Senior Member
True, if you look at the glass half empty.
I posted the question to see what other photographers think and what their real-world practice is. If I was so concerned with numbers I would've made a study on the protective characteristics of filters instead of asking other people's opinions.
SkvLTD
Senior Member
How Durable is Glass on Modern Lenses? A Cheap Canon 50MM Gets a Torture Test « No Film School
That and when DigitalRev guys were making a mug out of a busted 70-200, they had some serious trouble breaking all the elements.
That and when DigitalRev guys were making a mug out of a busted 70-200, they had some serious trouble breaking all the elements.
I don't put anything on the lens unless it needs to be there.
My reasoning.
a. Filters cost money
b. Filters can degrade IQ
c. They cost money
d. I always use a hood
e. If I put my camera lens in a position to take damage, that's on me. It's just
a risk of playing the game.
f. I use warranties
g. They cost money
And about glasses half full vs half empty, it doesn't matter. Someone will just come along and drink it anyways......So drink up and don't sweat it.
My reasoning.
a. Filters cost money
b. Filters can degrade IQ
c. They cost money
d. I always use a hood
e. If I put my camera lens in a position to take damage, that's on me. It's just
a risk of playing the game.
f. I use warranties
g. They cost money
And about glasses half full vs half empty, it doesn't matter. Someone will just come along and drink it anyways......So drink up and don't sweat it.
Cowleystjames
Senior Member
Don't use them apart from when I want a result that a filter will give. But I certainly don't use them for protection. How is a 1mm thick pieces of glass going to help?
I am most often shooting outdoors at snowboarding events. If the sun is out I use my CPL because I like the effect. If it is snowing hard I might not even shoot and overcast I remove the CPL. Otherwise I shoot "nekkid"
As for the question of "
As for the question of "
So what adjective would you use to describe someone who accepts something that's untested to be true"
I would answer "doctor" or "politician" and also, the glass is neither half full or half empty, the glass is simply twice as big as it needs to be.
I would answer "doctor" or "politician" and also, the glass is neither half full or half empty, the glass is simply twice as big as it needs to be.
I'm surprised that no one has pointed that UV rays cause no issues for digital sensors. UV rays and film made a very bad combination but digital sensors do not have that same liability. I have a couple of clear glass filters that I use to help keep the gunk off my main element. And if I had a filter on and my lens did not break but my filter did, I would have no problem believing the filter saved my lens.
I always use UV filter. It protects the front element from the perennial dust that is Delhi. I have seen sand scratches on a lot of glass, and most of the lense front elements are not hard enough to prevent scratches from sand. If the front glass was not that vulnerable, could you not clean it with any fluid? But that will surely spoil the coating. That is why you are extra careful while cleaning the smudges of the front element.
Modern filters are not only have much harder glass, but a variety of coatings both to maintain optical neutrality as well as to prevent scratches and any muck accumulating. In short I would rather wash the filter than my front element to clear it of the grime, dust and any other muck that accumulates during shoot in tropical out door environment. I have gone through technical literature and the transmission characteristics of many filter manufacturers. High end filters manufactured by Schneider and Hoya have excellent optical transmission characteristics and are much harder than the front element.
Modern filters are not only have much harder glass, but a variety of coatings both to maintain optical neutrality as well as to prevent scratches and any muck accumulating. In short I would rather wash the filter than my front element to clear it of the grime, dust and any other muck that accumulates during shoot in tropical out door environment. I have gone through technical literature and the transmission characteristics of many filter manufacturers. High end filters manufactured by Schneider and Hoya have excellent optical transmission characteristics and are much harder than the front element.
Last edited: