Photog Mags - Opinion on UV filters

[Froman]

Do you use them? Will they impact the picture quality?

I’ve heard they are good to help protect the lens, but I find it hard to believe that there is no trade off with picture quality.

thx

[Free Range Lobster]

They protect the lense.
Get one.

[pechelman]

youll get various opinions, and you already know the two sides it sounds like
having said that

Why spend good money on expensive glass to do nothing other than always have it covered with a filter. If you want to protect your lens, always keep on the appropriate hood and or lens cap. Ive never used a UV filter. Infact I think I have a 72mm one if anyone wants it cheap.

Also something to keep in mind that some filters can severly vignette super wide angle lenses.

Now if you're shooting something like a rally race with rocks and shit flying everywhere, id Imagine a UV filter might be prudent.

[cj001f]

Yes, they do degrade the picture (some).

Cleaning a filter, or just throwing it away, when it gets nasty is alot cheaper than throwing away the lens if you shoot places that are dusty.

[Schralper]

Check out these
http://www.singh-ray.com/hilux.html
I've been using them for sometime now and luv the quality.
It includes a slight warming filter which is key is you're shooting above 6K'. Helps cut down on the blueness caused by altitude.
They DON'T degrade the quality enuff to warrant not using something in front of expensive optic coatings. Cheap, inferior lenses and filters degrade the pics.

[Treepinner]

Spend the money for high-quality, multi-coated UV filters, preferably with brass mounts. B+W are the standard, Hoya has some good ones too.

[1000-oaks]

Check out these
http://www.singh-ray.com/hilux.html
I've been using them for sometime now and luv the quality.
It includes a slight warming filter which is key is you're shooting above 6K'. Helps cut down on the blueness caused by altitude.

If shooting digital, just cranking up the color temperature should accomplish the same thing, no? (say 6,000 degrees K or so)

[Schralper]

If shooting digital, just cranking up the color temperature should accomplish the same thing, no? (say 6,000 degrees K or so)

I suppose so. I'm shooting mostly film, Nikon F5.
Even once I go mostly digi I'll still use my sames lenses w/ filters.
The only problem I see cranking up the color temp, is it might skew the pic more so than just the UV/81A combo.
It just depends on where you wanna sink your $ into.
Scratched lenses or scratched filters. Cuz I WILL happen.