UV Filters For Lens Protection? Let's SETTLE the DEBATE!!
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- Опубліковано 7 жов 2024
- #photography #portraitphotography #photographyforbeginners
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Should you use a UV filter to protect your lens? Is a question that is sure to spark up a huge debate in any photography group or forum. It's time to tackle this question without any BS and straight to the point, so in this video, I look at the reason's photographers give for using one and not using one, and let you know if the reason is valid or not. Let's go!
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Thank you so much for this thorough and articulate explanation. I recently acquired the latest Sigma 24-70 DG DN II ART lens and complimented it with one of Sigmas's highest-quality ceramic filters. However, my joy was short-lived after reading multiple articles informing people to refrain from using filters. After spending days researching for the definitive answer, your video made the most sense and convinced me I was doing the right thing by using one. Thanks again, and I tip my hat off to you, kind sir.
Thank you so much @Chris-B! As I mentioned in the video, I’ve been using clear filters since day one and rarely have any issues. And the issue is usually flare when light hits the lens at a certain angle. My sanity is worth the trade off 😂
This seems like it needs an experiment associated with it to test your theory about the lens element cracking 👀
@kirkdarling4120 dropped this vid in a comment...
ua-cam.com/video/P0CLPTd6Bds/v-deo.htmlsi=L-pdhazbmjBWKCux
I think the results are about what we would expect, lol.
Nice video. In regards to salt water, if I know I am going to be shooting in the spray zone (usually surf shots from shoreline) I bring a big soft towel and a spray bottle of fresh water (distilled would be best, but I use whatever). I spray not just the lens, but the whole camera. Not drenching, but getting just wet enough with mist to re-wet unseen salt and get it off the camera/metal parts, and keep it out of my bag as much as possible. I do it again more meticulously when home, sometimes with diluted alcohol.
I use distilled water as well! IMHO distilled water is a must when it comes to cleaning electronics.
Great information keep up the good work
Thank you so much @mithellturner6738, much appreciated.
Thanks for the video on filters! 👍 Seems like even the people on the fence about filters for protection always at least recommend them for when you're somewhere dusty, where there is a lot sand, salt spray or it's windy.
I've watched a bunch of videos on the questions of if filters make a difference or not and the first issue is that the testers didn't actually do good tests. They didn't use a tripod, and they didn't use a timer or better a remote trigger, so thank you for being sure to do that in your tests (like an earlier video you did). 👍
The other thing is that outdoors they did show some differences when using a UV filter and color cast and sometimes contrast, but that might be the UV filter vs. a clear one, the combo of their UV filter and their particular lens and obviously the quality of the filter they use or all of the above. So again, not super scientific tests.
I still haven't seen a test done at different focal lengths and stops. Maybe some filters are less of an issue wide open, or with a wide lens vs. someone using a huge telephoto with the camera really stopped down? I'm not sure anyone has the patience to make let alone watch a painstakingly OCD dry video like that though LOL!
Anyway, thank you again for the video and taking the time to do controlled tests. 🏆
When I did my extensive testing, it was very, very detailed and involved. I actually did test at different focal lengths and f/stops to see if there was a noticeable difference in detail. Of course the bigger/more localized your subject, the easier it is to see small differences, but in all my testing, I never found there to be significant of enough differences to warrant not using my UV filters. The exception was with glare/flare and being outdoors; the filters - in some situations - do reduce contrast noticeably and flare is more prominent, but knowing this, I can shoot in a way to minimize the impact.
I'm at a point now, though, where I feel like modern cameras and lenses are too sharp, making the images feel overly digital, so I actually reduce sharpening when I edit to remove some of that digital feel. To each their own though, lol.
I'm in the lens filter camp mainly to avoid micro scratches from cleaning. I'm more worried about reselling value than the impact a scratch could have on the picture. For me, having a good-quality filter on the lens is essential.
Resell value is key, I know a lot of people who do things solely to retain value for later resell.
Bro... you've hit on all the talking points. I guess my thinking is that since it doesn't hurt image quality (that is perceptible) and I can not see the micro abrasions or protect against them on my front element (I shoot mostly on the beach with sand blowing into my lens). I opt to use them to have the filter take the hit of the micro scratches, etc.
I'll have UV filters on all my lenses until the end of time hahahaha. And here's the thing, as lenses and cameras get sharper and sharper, it becomes even less of something to fret over.
Much sense here! Like you I put one on every lens. Why? because if working in areas where I might need to clean the lens I can grab a hankie from my pocket and use it! If I damage the filter (never have but one worry less) they are relatively cheap to replace. I use the impregnated Zeiss lens wipes which are inexpensive, efficient and a few in the camera bag weigh nothing. As to filter quality I think the two biggest differences are in the mounting ring (The best use brass but most aluminium which can be sometimes difficult to unscrew though I hardly ever need to) and the quality of the coating. As to the glass itself, well it needs to be optically without flaw and plane parallel. There are few manufacturers in the world who can make such glass like Schott Tiffen and a certain Japanese company. They supply to both the filter makers whose products are either expensive or cheap and who get the same glass! Just ask yourself when you last found online a comparative review of protective filters? . Nuff said!
I appreciate you taking the time to comment @garethwilliams976! I use B+W filters which have brass rings (I found that to be important years ago when I first got into photography) and their glass has been solid for me. At the end of the day, I'll do what I want regardless of other people's opinions lol. Sounds like you do the same.
I settled this for myself with test shots with no filter, a cheap filter, and a better quality filter. I concluded that even the better quality filter decreases image quality but that the loss was acceptable if the protection is needed. I keep the better filters on now but take them off if there’s no rain, blowing sand, etc.
I definitely think filters are a bigger issue for landscape/wildlife shooters where the smaller details are very important. For portraits, no one would care or notice if there wasn’t a lot of texture in the subject’s hair, and cameras/lenses are so sharp these days that even with degraded IQ and sharpness, eyes are still tact sharp.
Sorry, but Im a beginner and I just bought my camera I don't know what size of uv lens filter to buy because my lens was 50mm but all I could see in shops was 49 and 52mm please help me 😅. Im willing to learn more about having this DSLR camera ❤ thanks in advance 😘
You can find the thread size on your lens cap, or on the front of the lens. Look for a number that has a symbol resembling the letter “o” with a line through it, in front of the number.
Amen to that sir 🙂 Despite agreeing wholeheartedly with what you have said I'm the polar opposite to yourself, that is to say I dont bother putting UV/Protective filters on any of my lenses 😁 I do take care of my gear but I most certainly don't baby it. I can accept all the Pro's and Cons to these filters but honestly I'm totally agnostic regards whether others use them or don't. This " fear " of damaged front elements can often mean you can pick up second hand lenses super cheap if they have even a tiny chip in the front element. For the most part the damage has almost zero impact on the lens quality in terms of the images you'll get from it. As you alluded to here, a chip in the front element would make me more concerned about other underlying shock damage internally the lens may have suffered. Its personal choice but for sure retailers of UV filters often play on the fear of lens damage. No doubt the mark up profit they make on the filters sale price is ten times that of the lens price 😋
Totally fair Dunny! I'm in the boat of encouraging people to do what keeps their anxiety low, hahaha. So many people in forums get so worked up over this and I don't understand it. What you do has zero impact on me, so why care?!
Hood+Uv Filter on 💪🏼💪🏼
You will have no disagreement from me @ruciferu93 LOL
Use a lens hood people! Not only will it help protect your front element from a potential damage from your lens but also cut down on lens flare and increase contrast!
Ironically I hardly ever use mine, but mainly because they often don’t pack well, so I leave them at home most of the time.
@@AnthonyToglife I understand that the added bulk of a hood can make transporting lenses a bit more tricky. I still think hoods are a much better return investment vs glass filters and in many cases, a fraction of the price of a quality glass filter.
I'm probably in the minority here but I just budget for a slightly bigger camera bag where I can carry my lenses along with the lens hoods. Thanks again for another quality and informative video.
@@minuteman2006 yup, when I travel with my bigger bag, I take my hoods every time. It's only when I use my EDC bags where I generally don't.
I use a filter because I'm not confident to clean the front element properly.
That’s completely fair!
Awesome video!
Thank you so much Agnetha!
The filter rim being bent is a lot easier to fix than having the rim of the lens bent.
I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.
If you drop a camera or a lens, the front rim of the lens is the most likely place for it to hit, and there you will get a dent. That bent front is difficult to straighten, and makes it hard to add any filters.
If there is a filter on the front of the lens, the frame of the filter gets bent, and the lens does not. The filter is easily replaced,
Even an empty filter frame, or a screw-in lens hood, would help.
I do have experience with this.
@@alecbruyns4490 that is absolutely not the case a lot of times. There are plenty of UA-cam and IG vids you can search where people drop a lens and the filter gets stuck on the lens. In some cases they had to break the glass to pry the filter off. And this makes sense, lens filters are not made of an indestructible metal, if an impact can bend the lens threads, it’s likely to do the same to a filter. You may have experienced otherwise but there’s plenty of documented videos that show what I’m talking about.
I have a couple of lenses damaged by having been dropped, and have had lenses that were not damaged because the filter took the impact. It is easier to replace a filter than to repair a lens.
And don't call me a liar.
@@alecbruyns4490 😂 you’re “arguing” a point on something that was never stated, in video or in comment. I’ll leave you to argue with yourself.
I have UV on ALL THE TIME... because I am a lazy bum to keep FE clean and I've had bird poop on the FE; it's not the KraK that im a afraid of... i just hate wonky things landing on the FE ... and my lazy butt don't want to clean it all the time... water, champagne, spit, dust, sand, bug splater, grit, little kid's finger prints ...bird poop... FE cleaning is not worth it....easier for me to clean the flat UV glass. It's not how often..but it's when...Hell NO.
Aye man, you've got a brother in me in that regard, lol.