Is a UV filter 'protection' necessary in modern days?

[alternatve]

:bsmilie::bsmilie:, window pane. I only use the Circular PL in real bright outdoor conditions when the picture I want to shoot requires a PL but it's a real pain removing the UV filter & replacing it with the PL. So I'm wondering if putting the PL in front of the UV filter (for convenience sake) affects the picture quality (again, I see no difference in quality whether if there's a UV filter behind or not).

Either that, or my eyes are just plain lousy in picking details out

You would want the cokin P system. Just drop your filter of choice into the holder and fire away. if I use that, I'll forgo the UV filter. But for general purposes, I still use the UV filter especially if I'm at the seaside or in some rough and tumble areas.

Samuel

 

[surge]

besides scratches, there are also other elements like old/chemical that can eat into the coating. not a line but more like a smudge patch.

 

[calebk]

Put it this way:

Replace a filter - $15-80
Replace a lens front element group - $100-$800 or so.

It's cheaper to replace a scratched filter than a front element group, so I'd rather just be safe than sorry.

I might add, as a testament to using a filter for protection. I once dropped my Canon 35mm f/2 on the ground from waist height, while it was in a lens case. The lens was perfectly fine but the filter's element cracked. Without the filter as the first surface meeting the ground, I think my lens' internals would have been more badly affected.

 

[keast]

uv filter in a way works as the first line of defense against the **** the world throws at you, be it scratches, dirt, oil, unidentified fluids or any corrosive stuff that eats through the delicate coatings of the front element. there are times u realise u cant really clean certain stuff off the filters, imagine those kena your front element of your unprotected $$$ lens. tio filter just throw and buy new one, tio unremovable stuff on front element of expensive lens = shiok only LLST go service centre and burn wallet :bsmilie:

but for stuff like 50mm 1.8 i wont really be bothered with protective filter (buy 10 dollar filter which screw IQ might as well dont buy, buy 50 dollar filter also not justifiable) as its front element is rather recessed, spoil just throw n buy new one


well if you only shoot inside a cleanroom, i doubt you will need one

 

[giantcanopy]

but for stuff like 50mm 1.8 i wont really be bothered with protective filter (buy 10 dollar filter which screw IQ might as well dont buy, buy 50 dollar filter also not justifiable) as its front element is rather recessed, spoil just throw n buy new one

Woa. Treating the 50mm prime as a disposable. Atas

well if you only shoot inside a cleanroom, i doubt you will need one

Still can fall the lens.

Ryan

 

[keast]

i said spoil can throw because if you can do any actual damage to this tough little lens it would be totally gone case already. or imagine paying repair cost of probably 3/4 of the cost of a new unit. 70-80 dollars i might as well get a new unit for 125 or a 2nd hand for 110.

 

[sin77]

i have 2 lenses now.

18-200 costs me $1200, so i use 72mm Kenko Pro1 Digital UV filter ($50) and CPL ($100).

For my $160 50/1.8, u think i bother?? no filter in front

 

[calebk]

i have 2 lenses now.

18-200 costs me $1200, so i use 72mm Kenko Pro1 Digital UV filter ($50) and CPL ($100).

For my $160 50/1.8, u think i bother?? no filter in front

I wouldn't go by lens cost, but rather by image quality. I have a 35mm f/2 (that is worth S$450) but it has a B+W filter on it, because it is so darn sharp that I want to retain as much of its resolving power as possible, while still protecting it. My more expensive 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 meanwhile, has a Hoya filter on it.

 

[wranger]

stacking filters will also contribute to internal flares.. if you're serious abt taking a good photo, then do take the time to remove the UV..

I got no problem with stacking filters and it doesn't cause any flare.

 

[sytan81]

I got no problem with stacking filters and it doesn't cause any flare.

And your point being? Pls elaborate. Seems like you're trying to share your experiences, but without any conclusion?

Then again, even if you don't encounter it, it doesn't mean it cannot happen. The world doesn't just revolve around you.

Top two Google links for stacking filters:

Link 1
Link 2