No UV Filters on DSLR?

[MikeSakamoto]

Is it ture that you don't need an UV filter on digital because the sensors filter UV automatically? How about general protection of the lens? What do you guys normally do? Thanks.

 

[slickhare]

i put one on my Olyumpus E500. even if you don't need the UV filtering, it's good to have one on your lens to protect it. just spend $2.00 to protect your lens so you don't have to spend $200 if it gets damaged.

 

[Unimaxium]

I'm not sure whether the sensors actually filter out UV or not (it probably depends on the particular brand / model), but it's always a good idea to keep something in front of your lens like a UV filter simply for protection, and UVs are the best for that because they're clear and they're cheap. It's a heck of a lot better to get a scratch on a $30 UV filter than on the front element of a $500 lens.

I almost always keep a filter on my main lens (my other 2 lenses I could care less about). If I'm not using a polarizer, then most likely I'm keeping my UV filter on there.

The main reason to use a UV filter is mostly just for the protection, IMO.

 

[Unimaxium]

Ah, slickhare beat me to the 'submit' button ;-)

 

[slickhare]

Ah, slickhare beat me to the 'submit' button ;-)

but you gave a more thorough explanation :mrgreen: touche!

 

[Unimaxium]

Ok then, I'll admit defeat. I win.

 

[slickhare]

Ok then, I'll admit defeat. I win.

:scratch:....................:cheer:

 

[markc]

I didn't use them on either my film or digital lenses once I started shooting mostly non-landscapes. I handle my lenses carefully and it's another piece of glass that can cause flare and other issues.

A lot of people won't see the difference, so a lot depends on how clutzy you are.

 

[MikeSakamoto]

Thanks for your input, guys! I know some pros say it causes flare or other things to degrade the quality of the pics, but I'll probably put them on to protect it.

 

[crawdaddio]

I hate the flare and (sometimes) ghosting they cause. For everyday shooting I don't use them because I am careful with my equipment. If I were to go on a serious outing (mountain hiking, sandy, wet environments, really active stuff, etc....) I would probably use them for protection.

 

[Dweller]

I put one on my lens before it even made it to the camera. The one I got was labelled as being for digital but I just wanted something protecting the lens. I tend to take my camera on hikes and bike rides and I have a 3 year old that thinks Daddies camera is the coolest thing ever so in my case a uv/protection filter is a must.

The filter I got also has a very thin frame to help avoid vignetting.

I just found the case and its a "Quantary Professional Filter Series" Protector/UV

 

[Peanuts]

I also tend to use a UV filter just to protect the lens. If, say, I am taking pictures where the camera will not be moving (for instance landscapes on tripod or 'portraiture') if I remember I will take it off. But, I find them rather handy, for instance, when I do experiments involving liquids, especially something such as milk such as earlier this week. I had cleaned the lens off after, but apparently missed a splash of milk on the UV filter When I pulled it out yesterday, I had to scrub pretty hard to get it off, and still, I can't be certain if it is all gone, so I am thankful it was my filter as opposed to the lens itself.