UV Filters

[.Adam.]

Re the above, I currently have a UV filter on my lens to protect it from scratches and dust etc. It was one from eBay which cost about £5.

Was in Jessops the other day just generally browsing and the UV filters in there cost anything from about £20 up.

Is there any benefit to paying extra for something like this, or will the cheaper ones suffice? As said, it's purely to protect the actual lens from scratches.

 

[Scott™]

I think with photography stuff, you get what you pay for. I would of thought the ones in jessops would be hoya filters. So probably a more clear glass.

 

[.Adam.]

Yea that was my thinking.

The one I have seems fairly well built, good solid glass etc. I've seen a few cheaper ones which are utter s**t.

What is a good brand to buy without spending a fortune?

 

[Scott™]

Hoya personally mate. You can pick them up in most places.

 

[.Adam.]

Decent, will pick one up this weekend.

Cheers.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Get rid of it. Pointless. End.

Just more glass for light to pass through, reducing image quality.

I bought a UV filter for my first lens as I was paranoid about scratches etc......pointless though. As long as you look after your gear you won't need it. Do you see pros with UV filters? Nope.

 

[bozothenutter]

^^
what he said.
if you need any type of filter B&W is the only way to go....

 

[unofficialPete]

I've owned 7-8 lenses and only ever put a filter on one to protect it from drunk people and alcohol.

Apart from that they are generally a waste of time, get a good insurance policy, it'll work out cheaper than good filters and cover you for more than a few scratches.

 

[julzh]

Whilst cheap UV filters can induce flare and degrade your picture they do offer some physical protection and though many say to junk them i think for most you are simply not going to notice and it does give you that peace of mind. If you are going to use one spend a bit on one.
http://www.lenstip.com/113.1-article-UV_filters_test.html

 

[Brazo]

Always a devisive choice, though I am yet to hear of anyone that has taken the perfect picture which has been ruined by the degradation in image quality that one filter makes

 

[unofficialPete]

Always a devisive choice, though I am yet to hear of anyone that has taken the perfect picture which has been ruined by the degradation in image quality that one filter makes

I've seen plenty of images with odd flares, especially in night shots but having no filter has ever caused me to have any degradation

And looking at the 'gear stolen' thread.... money better spent on insurance!

 

[Andy.]

I paid for a decent one (b&w) but rarely use it these days unless it's raining or I'm on the beach. I have lens hoods which offer more protection from impact than a filter can.

 

[dk]

I have a Hoya uv on my 70-200f4 L and I get some amazing skys in my pics

 

[Tigger]

I have Hoya Pro1 Digital ones on most of my lenses, sometimes take them off though.

When I started out I was under the impression that it was like a tradition to get one on the lens ASAP and keep it on!

 

[guysy]

Ive had cheap ebay ones and half decent ones as i was also under the impression they where mandatory... however i removed them all as im careful with my lenses anyway and i was getting a lot of flare.