Unless you can identify a threat to your front element (such as blowing sand, in which case a UV filter would be tossed after the shoot), I would skip it.
Your cons are very strong and the pros are weak
Are protective front filters necessary?
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Your cons are very strong and the pros are weak
Does anyone know of a current reference comparing the transmission percentage of different protective filters? There was one done by lensrentals but that is now quite a few years old.
My Not Quite Complete Protective Filter Article
Well, I've written (with some misgivings because it has a tendency to create rioting in the streets) several articles about protective filters. Articles that say sometimes you shouldn't use protective filters, and others that say sometimes you do need to use protective filters, and most...
www.lensrentals.com
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The only useful articles I found were ones that were summarizing the results of the LensRentals test you linked. Unless someone can convince Roger Cicala of LensRentals to do an updated test (which I doubt), I don't think we will find anything newer that is meaningful.Does anyone know of a cuurent reference comparing the transmisdion percentage of different protective filters? There was one done by lensrentals but that is now quite a few years old.
My Not Quite Complete Protective Filter Article
Well, I've written (with some misgivings because it has a tendency to create rioting in the streets) several articles about protective filters. Articles that say sometimes you shouldn't use protective filters, and others that say sometimes you do need to use protective filters, and most...www.lensrentals.com
Stationary birds show detail In Wegener’s video extremely well - no problem! Are they representative of all filters - we could argue about that and other image comparisons.
Drbobcameraguy
Active member
Steve did some test although crude but they show that the filter really doesn't help much. I don't use them. Everyone is and can do as they will. Lol
There was an earlier comment about using a clear filter to help with cleaning rather than having to clean a lens element. That's changing a bit. Over the last few years there is increased use of coatings and nanotechnology to make both lenses and filters easier to clean. If your lens uses these coatings or nanotechnology on the front element, it's probably better to avoid a filter. But if it is important to you, you can get filters that are better than others in terms of cleaning.
I have found some filters are difficult to clean or the coatings scratch easily. Above all, never use any ammonia based cleaner or glass cleaner on a filter or lens. Ammonia can fog acrylic, styrene, and many films used on optics.
I have found some filters are difficult to clean or the coatings scratch easily. Above all, never use any ammonia based cleaner or glass cleaner on a filter or lens. Ammonia can fog acrylic, styrene, and many films used on optics.
dasm
Well-known member
In 2011, I was on a hike on top of a volcano in Quito, Ecuador with fellow faculty members and a group of students to study the cloud forest. It was a very narrow trail and quite muddy and soft. One wrong step and next thing I know I was rolling down the hill! I managed to stop after about 30 feet and came out of the whole thing with a dislocated shoulder and a bunch of ripped off nails. My Nikon D90 was hanging from my neck. The only thing happened to the camera was that it was covered with mosses and a broken UV filter. From then on, I do add a UV filter to all my lenses. Many of you mentioned, there are arguments on both sides of using a UV filter or not. But since the accident, I tend to have a filter (either UV or CP) on all my lenses except the 200-500mm.
Sportsshooter32
New member
I have Nikon NC 77mm or 82mm filters on all my zoom lenses. I even have Polar Pro CP filters for them as well, and I bought the very expensive drop-in CP for my super-telephoto lens. Since I also live near the Pacific Ocean, and shoot around a lot of water, wind and dust/debris, I use Nikon UV/NC filters. They do unfortunately get sort of pitted out or cleaned one too many times so I sometimes replace them, but yes I absolutely use them on my expensive lenses. I also insure all of my gear, so these filters serve multiple purposes. They protect my front elements and according to Canon/CPS they are required for completing weather sealing. Now it is true Canon said this back before Flourine coating was on the front of most lenses.
However I still find UV filters invaluable, because I am a photojournalist and I shoot everything from surfing to wildfires. I’m often on the front line with the hot-shots or hand-crews of firefighters. I’ve been hit a few times by both water dropping helicopters and from Tanker aircraft dropping “Phos-Chek” the pink-red fire retardant! A few times filters have saved me or saved my front element and they always help keep value if you’re diligent about installing them on day-one! I always buy a new filter when I get a new lens! I do wish Nikon would update their NC filters to include Flourine coating, that’s one thing I do not like about them. PolarPro makes wonderful UV filters with very high quality glass and excellent transmission, and they have Flourine-type coating. It repels water, oils, scratches, eyc., etc.!
However the issue with them is their lip or metal edge sticks out just ever so slightly and prevents you from installing most lens hoods. I always, always use my lens hoods, even indoors, so that’s a no-go for me. In fact it bothers me that their other filters such as their ND/PL and CP filters stick out even further and prevent lens hoods from attaching. Anyways everyone has an opinion on this issue and some people don’t trust filters.
However I can promise you, if you buy quality, it will absolutely NOT have any negative effects on IQ. I used to buy Leica UVa filters, as they have 99.9% transmission and are made from extremely good quality glass. However their brass ring was or is, just a bit too thick for my liking. But if you want the very best, Leica’s UVa filters are the absolute best of the best! I’d say for the money Nikon NC filters are a great buy, good quality that won’t effect IQ, but be cautious where you buy them from. There are more counterfeit Nikon filters than there are genuine Nikon filters, so buy ONLY from an Nikon Authorized dealer! I personally get mine from Amazon usually. Just check it says Ships From Amazon, Sold by Amazon to make sure they are getting them directly from Nikon. Otherwise I just order them from Nikon/NPS. Usually when I replace rubber or take my gear for a clean and check, I’ll get new NC filters directly from Nikon. They are well aware that there are many Nikon counterfeit batteries and filters floating around. I’ve personally dealt with this issue twice, where I bought and received counterfeit Nikon batteries. Even B&H got caught selling counterfeit Nikon batteries and apparently they got said batteries from an authorized Nikon distributor.
Anyhow, I got two counterfeit EN-EL18c batteries in 2020. One from Amazon and one on eBay. Nikon was surprised that counterfeits were being made even for the high end D5/D6 flagships. But I was able to send them images and details on the differences I had found between the Chinese counterfeit’s and the real deal copy I got from Nikon. Apparently Nikon has had lots of issues with counterfeit EN-EL15 type batteries, but now even the higher end batteries are being counterfeited. Which is definitely not cool, you don’t want a cheap Chinese knock-off in your D6 or Z9! So always buy Nikon filters and Nikon batteries directly from Nikon or your local Authorized Nikon dealer. Check this by asking Nikon or searching their website for dealer locator. I’ve been in a store that sold new Nikon gear, however was NOT an authorized dealer. The owner was getting the gear from a third party or something, but he wasn’t a dealer. Long story short, yes I highly recommend protective filters. I also highly recommend circular polarizer filters, as they cut down on reflections, which you can’t just “do in post!”
I also use Nikon NC filters @Sportsshooter32 but how would one spot a fake? I get mine from a reputable dealer here in the UK (Ex) and never buy off flea bay or Amazon
Calson
Well-known member
I only use a front protective filter when there is windblown dirt or sand or salt spray. Otherwise I use a hood to protect the front of the lens from harm and stray light.
Roy
Well-known member
In the studio I dont use protective filters.
But out shooting the front element can get very dirty.
If done with anything but the gentlest method cleaning a front element will remove some of the coating.
A good quality protective filter can be cleaned and thrown away after 6 months or so...
O
Well-known member
Clear Protective/UV filters are 100% unnecessary for most people and a simple up sell, they are mostly a value added up sell based on fear and perception to beginners and kit camera customers. Hey it may have benefits of protection for some?
Sorry i had every sidewalk camera store in Manhattan try to push them onto me even B and H when i would go in on weekends, LOL.
Never had one that does a thing, other the the B&W limited edition gold ring 77mm filter that actually added contrast warmth and colour to my 24-70 F2.8 G LOL
Defiantly robbed image quality on long zooms.
The front element on my 300 2.8 VR II is a sacrificial element that's cheap and easy to replace if smashed.
Using them is a choice, it depends on where and what your doing if they actually protect your lens.
Example, On the edge of a dirt road shooting a car rally throwing stones dirt could be a good application.
Only an opinion
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Just looked ... yup Knob Creek ... or Larceny or Elijah Craig Small Batch ... but the big bottles have been around for a long time and still have some left so it must be good wineYou're both wrong, it's Knob Creek.
I do not use protective filters anymore on my Z lenses. They are mostly long lenses with big hoods and they are insured.
I still have some Breakthrough Photography ND and CPL filters and when needed they are needed as others have noted above. I just seldom need them.
I used B+W filters for years and still have some in a drawer but found Breakthrough Photography to have no color shift and the clear or UV to have no light loss and their CPL and their dark CPL with built in ND are just great at what they are built to do.
I still have some Breakthrough Photography ND and CPL filters and when needed they are needed as others have noted above. I just seldom need them.
I used B+W filters for years and still have some in a drawer but found Breakthrough Photography to have no color shift and the clear or UV to have no light loss and their CPL and their dark CPL with built in ND are just great at what they are built to do.
MikeInMI
Active member
I always used one for about 30 years, and then when I read the disadvantages I realized that in 30 years I had never scratched or otherwise damaged a filter, so I quit using them. No regrets..
I don't use them, but if you want some and you have money to burn, Nikon just released their own pricey line:
nikonrumors.com
Nikon released new ARCREST II protection filters - Nikon Rumors
Nikon released new ARCREST II protection filters in different sizes. The prices vary from $49-$179: Here is the description from Nikon’s website (the full list of Nikon filters can be found here.): “ARCREST II Protection Filters are crafted by Nikon utilizing high-performance glass, to protect...
nikonrumors.com
Front element glass is probably incredibly scratch resistant unless your wiping sand across it or something. Looking at the lenses on my iPhone and none of them are scratched with no protection, same with the wife's which bangs around with car keys in her purse. So I'd think to actually damage a front element you would need to be pretty careless cleaning it off or actually hit something with it. I use clear or UV filters for sandy/dust/mud type places so I can wipe the lens on the spot and who cares if the filter gets damages. I've bought stacks of them for any lens size on eBay for next to nothing of the Hoya UV or midrange type and they work fine.
If a camera falls on a rock then the lens filter probably won't do anything to save it as they're pretty thin flimsy things. It might be enough to absorb the energy of a peice of gravel from a dirt bike roost though and would be worthwhile in those situations.
That said I do use screen protectors on the LCD on the back as my hands are dirty and those do get scratched.
If a camera falls on a rock then the lens filter probably won't do anything to save it as they're pretty thin flimsy things. It might be enough to absorb the energy of a peice of gravel from a dirt bike roost though and would be worthwhile in those situations.
That said I do use screen protectors on the LCD on the back as my hands are dirty and those do get scratched.
Protection filters are designed to protect from dust and dirt etc, not from drops etc. I use them on all my lenses. If I feel the IQ is compromised, it takes a second to remove. A lot of what I do is at sea, the arctic etc. I’d rather get sand and sea salt on a filter than an expensive lens.
we all have our views. It’s never ending.
I use protection filters on all my lenses that accept front filters. I prefer to clean the front of the filter rather than the front of the lens. As long as you're using premium filters, I don't think there's any degradation in the picture quality.
Absolutely not and in my opinion even the best filters degrade image quality. If you’re using a lens hood it seems it would be nearly impossible to damage the front element.
Yep that's what I use them for, much less worry just wiping off a filter. Honestly I've never noticed a drop in image quality using any of them but I'm not hyper critical about overall sharpness. If it's anything I feel like a short throw of a slider in Lightroom or a +1 sharpness setting in camera will fix that up real quick.
I've honestly never noticed any difference.
Can you see the difference?
I don't use huge filters on my telephoto's as you mentioned, huge lens hood there and a distance between you and the subject. But I use them on shorter lenses all the time when I expect a lot of sand or whatever. I can't tell the difference with those. Like with a 70-300 and friends on dual sport/dirt bikes.
I certainly respect your opinion.. I'm referring to cleaning the front surface, lens hood notwithstanding...
I would love to see some definitive tests showing a degradation of a high end clear or UV filter. I would reconsider my stance if I saw that kind of proof...just sayin'...
I have noticed weird flares with the protective filters in the past when doing landscape shot. Having said that I’ve never noticed a degradation in quality using quality variable nd filters.