UV filter or not..?

[mybrainhurts]

Just bought a Nikon D80 as a first digital, having been away from SLRs for a long time.

Always used to protect my lenses with Skylight filters, but someone's told me a clear filter is better for digital optics.

Any views...?

[RobDickinson]

I dont bother.

[flat-planedCrank]

I've always used a uv filter, i buy a decent fairly-pricey one then just put it on and forget about it.

I noticed that one of them had a scratch the other day, not enough to see on the shots but enough to make me glad that it wasn't the front lens element
(Don't know how it happened, i'm careful with lens caps + hoods)

If you go the no-filter route, and many do, i'd suggest always using a lens hood



Cheers.

[beano500]

Personally not.


Nice quality piece of optics and you're going to put two layers of potential filth and grime into the equation and another layer for the light to be contaminated by.

No thanks, I prefer my light pure....

...except I know my sensor's absolutely filthy with dust spots again!

[Simpo Two]

I found they interfered with AF on fast lenses and took them off. However I did have a momentary second thought when the 17-55 f2.8 fell off in Regent Street - luckily I got my foot under it to soften the impact

[V6GTO]

Not for me...prefer lens hoods.

M.

[mybrainhurts]

Nobody uses a clear filter, then...?

[DanH]

I've got nikon lens clear filters on mine. Don't even have UV so minimal amount of impact but still protecting the element.

[mybrainhurts]

That's the way I'm going to go...naked doesn't feel right after countless years of protection !

Hoya Pro-1 multicoated seems a good bet.

Thanks for your thoughts, folks...

[CivicMan]

Always regarded a uv filter as cheaper to replace than a scratched front element if the worst should happen....

[NiceCupOfTea]

All my lenses have Hoya HMC-1 or Pro UV filters on. I'm sure it's a compromise but I am so clumsy I would just end up with scratched lenses

[ehasler]

V6GTO said:

Not for me...prefer lens hoods.

M.

Me too.

[_dobbo_]

I don't bother with protective filters myself - lens hoods provide plenty of protection, and insurance provides the rest...

[Scho]

i don't use them either.

if the element gets dirty i just breath on it and give it wipe with me' jumper!

Edited by Scho on Monday 4th February 10:05

[tertius]

ehasler said:

V6GTO said:

Not for me...prefer lens hoods.

M.

Me too.

Me too.

I used one for years but following various threads on here I started to wonder exactly how many filters have I had to replace due to damage, scratches, whatever ... err, none.

[Andy M]

tertius said:

ehasler said:

V6GTO said:

Not for me...prefer lens hoods.

M.

Me too.

Me too.

Me too.

[stigmundfreud]

mybrainhurts said:

Nobody uses a clear filter, then...?

I do, I have expensive ones and cheap ones and the result is the same from both.

[MonkeyHanger]

Filters for effects, Hoods & insurance for protection.

Even on a Forest Rally with stones flying i wouldn't use a "protective" filter.

[TonyHetherington]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I had similar thoughts to you (see that thread). Basically, everyone does it different

[Zod]

ehasler said:

V6GTO said:

Not for me...prefer lens hoods.

M.

Me too.

I use Hoya filters AND lens hoods.