Should you use filters to protect your lenses?

[Tish]

When I first got my camera I was told to ALWAYS use a UV filter on the lens to protect it from scratches and knocks. Recently I was reading about lenses and how they are the most important part of your camera. Now I am confused

If your UV filter is of lesser quality than your lens and you have the filter fitted on the lens when you take your photographs, aren't you losing the quality of the lens?

If this is a dumb question - forgive me - I am a beginner :er:

 

[MissCream]

There are a lot of other threads about this, I think it would be best if you used the search button and read those first.

 

[tirediron]

Not a dumb question, but a hotly debated topic. There are few things that degrade an image more than a cheap filter. If you want to use an UV filter as "protection" (and that's a real Ford/Chevy debate) than make sure you get a good one. Look for, at a minimum, Hoya or Tiffen multi-coated filters. I prefer to let my lens-hoods take the beating rather than add one more thing between the sensor and the subject, but that's just my opinion.

Edited to correct "IR" to read "UV". Thanks Ryan!

 

[Ryan L]

As Mike Buffer would say....."Let's get ready to rumble"

From the red corner weighing in at 1.5oz the "uv filter"

Fighting from the blue corner weighing in under a feather...."the bare naked lens"

Get ready folks, this is going to be a night you wont forget.....

 

[Tish]

Oh dear! Perhaps I should have done a search before posting!!! :blushing:

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Lens coatings are alot tougher than people give them credit for.

 

[Ryan L]

If you want to use an IR filter as "protection" .

I am sure he meant UV. I agree with Tirediron. I do have UV filters, but really have gotten away from using them and trusting my hood. I have bought cheap filters and saw the quality drop dramatically.

Lens coatings are alot tougher than people give them credit for.

+1

 

[Blitz55]

How about a stupid cheep filter you can screw onto your lens until you want to start doing some shooting, then just take it off.

Of course thats what lens cap is for but since we are talking about filters for protection

 

[Ryan L]

How about a stupid cheep filter you can screw onto your lens until you want to start doing some shooting, then just take it off.

Thats what lens caps are for.

 

[Trever1t]

hmmm, interesting subject really.

I use Hoya quality UV filters because I don't want to clean my lens, rather clean a filter....can dispose if necessary. I can see how some detail could be lost by addition of any new layer but honestly don't think it's enough of a loss to lose sleep over.

As for drop or bump protection, no, I don't worry about that or hink the filter will prevent damage.

 

[ghache]

never used filter on my lens other than polarized filter when needed.
Clear filter...hurm no, if im not using it, lens caps goes on the lens right away. You wont scratch your lens with a cloth while cleaning it. front element are more scratch resistant than people think

 

[Blitz55]

How about a stupid cheep filter you can screw onto your lens until you want to start doing some shooting, then just take it off.

Thats what lens caps are for.

Yeah, I was just being kind of silly.
But after reading it thought it didn't really come off right so I added that, most likely after you quoted me.

 

[rickabobaloey]

It's still the noob in me, but here I was thinking that a "filter" was a square piece of plastic/glass that you slide in front of your lens to change the tones of your subject. Like a neutral density filter or something. I had no idea they were supposed to protect your lens. :scratch:

 

[DVC Mike]

I use top-quality B+W MRC UV filters on each and every lens I have.

I'd rather replace a scratched or damaged lens filter than a very expensive lens.

 

[xjoewhitex]

It's still the noob in me, but here I was thinking that a "filter" was a square piece of plastic/glass that you slide in front of your lens to change the tones of your subject. Like a neutral density filter or something. I had no idea they were supposed to protect your lens. :scratch:

Your thinking of a bit older school version but yea you are thinking right, there are many different types of filters as the ND, they can be used to change the tone, or to protect your lens which is what the UV is for.