I don't use them. I use filters only when I really need them. I don't want to put another layer of glass in front if I don't have to. That said, odds are you will find just as many people who use them to protect their glass and feel it has no impact on an image whatsosver (with the exception of strongly front-lit shots).
Nathan, I got my Tamron 180mm Macro with a very large lens hood and think you get the Sigma with a lens hood too. It protect my lens perfect and I use it every time and no UV filter. Congrats on new lens, you will like it.
It's a personal call. It all depends on the environment. In a dusty place like the African savannahs, I wouldn't be without it. Similarly, in a pelagic location I prefer the protection it gives, though I usually use a "skylight" filter instead of a UV. With a polarizer there is no advantage to doubling up, and it could be detrimental. In any case the use of one when not really necessary, probably will not appreciably harm the image.
I do not use UV filters, preferring instead to use filtration when it is called for. A well designed lens hood along with careful monitoring of environmental conditions will go a long way toward protecting that special piece of glass, in my opinion.
Normally I don't use such filters unless there is a clear reason to like blowing sand or sea spray or tiny fingers curious about the lens or when the camera and lens are in the hands of inexperienced young students.
I'm a photographer of habit, for the mechanics of it anyhow. I have never used a UV filter on any of my lenses. I keep the lens cap on except when I'm looking through the viewfinder. Sometimes even WHEN I look through the viewfinder, but I usually figure that mistake out pretty quickly. It's very hard to focus with the lens cap on. (Exposure is very consistent though.) In fact, my lens cap habit also includes putting it in the same pocket when it's not on the lens. I do so much lens capping and uncapping that it was a quality-of-life decision to replace all my "stock" nikon caps with the vastly superior Tamron caps. Newer Nikon caps are very similar to the Tamron caps, so someone agrees with me.
I used to use UV filters for "protection," but don't anymore. I will use one when taking photos around waterfalls (the spray contains grit) or when shooting in very dusty environments (such as grain elevators or quarries.) Instead of using a filter, I use the lens hood 100% of the time, and there is a lens cap on my lens whenever not in use. I shoot outdoors almost daily and none of my lenses are damaged. When I do use a UV filter, it's a multicoated one. I often use a polarizer, and it too is the multicoated kind. I would not buy a non-coated filter because of the problems they cause with flare.
Almost always. Got into the habit years ago when coatings were neither as good or rugged as they are today. In my current location there is a lot of dust, scrub and rock so it is a practice I keep up. It has been my experience that I can be going through the scrub and have a branch tear off a lens cap, slip on a mossy rock, that sort of thing.
Perhaps the great factor is not the cost of repair should there be a mishap, rather the nearest Nikon repair is about two months return away! I do make a point of buying good filters though rather than the camera store bargains.
I have one on every lens I own. Someone told me I should a while back and I never questioned it.
Posted by Mark Stahlke on May 11, 2006 at 12:37 PM
Here is a not-so-amusing twist on using filters to protect a lens.
Yesterday I noticed a brand new (very expensive) Schneider LF lens had an imprint of the part numbers from the inside of the lens cap right in the middle of the front lens element. It cleaned up nicely but I was spittin' mad when I saw that.
Now I'm looking for a filter to protect the lens from the lens cap. "To protect the lens from the lens cap" - take a minute to contemplate the absurdity of that. Mind boggling, isn't it?
That is odd, indeed. I am glad that there wasn't any grit on the inside of the lens cap! You might want to send an e-mail to Schneider and alert them about this.
Since you are Colorado Mountain Bum, I'd suggest an 81-A filter. This will warm things up a bit, but not to any great extremes. If you do install a filter, be sure that its inside surface does not touch the front element. Aside from the possibility of damage to the coating, glass-to-glass contact will result in Newton Rings appearing on your images.
It is indeed odd to see very clear numbers in the center of a lens element. The lens is a Super Symmar XL 150. It takes 95mm filters. The lens cap fits with so little clearence that it can easily contact the front element. I don't want to think about what would have happened if I had put the lens in a lens case where there was even the slightest pressure against the lens caps. I'm really anxious to shoot it but now I think I'll wait until I have a filter to protect the front element.
I just picked up a cheap UV filter (62mm) for the rear element. I plan to knock the glass out of the filter and use the ring as a "lens cap extender". I like your idea of getting a warming filter for the front. 95mm filters are so expensive that I think I should get something usefull.
Discussion
18 repliesI recently ordered my very first ever, brand new lens. I got the Sigma 180 macro. I am so excited, it should be here Friday.
So here is my question: PERSONALLY would you use a UV filter on the front of the lens for protection, or not?
I have heard of and have thought through all of the arguments for and against a UV filter to protect the front of the lens. What do you all think?
Thanks in advance!
Nathan
Guy
Enjoy that new lens!
-PB
I'm a photographer of habit, for the mechanics of it anyhow. I have never used a UV filter on any of my lenses. I keep the lens cap on except when I'm looking through the viewfinder. Sometimes even WHEN I look through the viewfinder, but I usually figure that mistake out pretty quickly. It's very hard to focus with the lens cap on. (Exposure is very consistent though.) In fact, my lens cap habit also includes putting it in the same pocket when it's not on the lens. I do so much lens capping and uncapping that it was a quality-of-life decision to replace all my "stock" nikon caps with the vastly superior Tamron caps. Newer Nikon caps are very similar to the Tamron caps, so someone agrees with me.
So, in conclusion, no.
Pete D.
Kent in SD
Nathan
Perhaps the great factor is not the cost of repair should there be a mishap, rather the nearest Nikon repair is about two months return away!
Dave
Yesterday I noticed a brand new (very expensive) Schneider LF lens had an imprint of the part numbers from the inside of the lens cap right in the middle of the front lens element. It cleaned up nicely but I was spittin' mad when I saw that.
Now I'm looking for a filter to protect the lens from the lens cap. "To protect the lens from the lens cap" - take a minute to contemplate the absurdity of that. Mind boggling, isn't it?
Cheers,
That is odd, indeed. I am glad that there wasn't any grit on the inside of the lens cap! You might want to send an e-mail to Schneider and alert them about this.
Since you are Colorado Mountain Bum, I'd suggest an 81-A filter. This will warm things up a bit, but not to any great extremes. If you do install a filter, be sure that its inside surface does not touch the front element. Aside from the possibility of damage to the coating, glass-to-glass contact will result in Newton Rings appearing on your images.
Let us know how this turns out.
-PB
ps: What lens is this happening with?
It is indeed odd to see very clear numbers in the center of a lens element. The lens is a Super Symmar XL 150. It takes 95mm filters. The lens cap fits with so little clearence that it can easily contact the front element. I don't want to think about what would have happened if I had put the lens in a lens case where there was even the slightest pressure against the lens caps. I'm really anxious to shoot it but now I think I'll wait until I have a filter to protect the front element.
I just picked up a cheap UV filter (62mm) for the rear element. I plan to knock the glass out of the filter and use the ring as a "lens cap extender". I like your idea of getting a warming filter for the front. 95mm filters are so expensive that I think I should get something usefull.
Cheers