wong1979 said:
Yes, I'm going to remove it when I take night scenery. But I feel cheated by the sales person who said I should not remove it once I put it on to prevent dust from getting on the front element !!!
Actually, I have to agree with the sales person, based on my personal experience. As far as I know, UV filters have little effect at night. Even in bright daylight, the effect is slight, and leads to a removal of the slight blue cast that usually occurs in daytime photos.
A quality filter like that from B+W shouldn't cause too much problems, considering a Hoya has done very well for me.
My personal recommendation for night photography is to avoid including strong light sources in the frame or even just outside the edges of the frame. A strong light source tends to end up producing a huge 'halo' of light around itself especially if the lens is used wide open. If you stop down, it will probably form a more attractive 'star-like' appearence instead.
If you really want to include strong lights in your photos, why not go for a starlight filter? I've used a cross-screen (produces 4 pointed stars) and had good fun with it. Check here for some samples:
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=165931
As others have pointed out, do be careful too when using the starlight filters. Although you can now use strong light sources to your advantage, avoid including too many in your frame.
I would advise that you keep a UV filter on your lens AT ALL TIMES. A filter is easier to clean than the lens itself, and you don't have to be overly careful with it. If you scratch it, just shell out another dozen bucks and get a new one. Of course, B+W ones are much more expensive. Be extra cautious with your lenses...you'll never know when the next bugger will come along and swing a bag right across your lens glass and gouge it to oblivion.
Or when photographing animals, one dog will suddenly come up from nowhere and nose your lens. :bsmilie: