Anyone here do not use a protective filter on their zeiss lens?

[pajamas]

Just wondering how many here do not put on a UV filter as a protective lens cover by choice?

Please elaborate your decision as to why. Thanks

 

[kossi008]

I don't. No real reason, maybe a bit of superstition wrt flare, but nothing scientific really...

 

[full lumen]

Yes and no. If I am using my lenses somewhere a bit hostile to them like by the sea on a windy day with salt water spray in the air then yes I do. Otherwise no I don't as there is no need. As for protecting the front element of my lenses from accidental knocks, that is what lens hoods are for.😉

 

[maclaine]

I do not have any filter in front of my 50mm Planar, nor any of my other lenses. I like to have my lenses be as unadulterated as possible, and never saw a real need for a UV filter. As full lumen said, the hood does a fine job of protecting it from accidental bumps, and the front element on the lens is like new.

 

[Nettar]

Always use filters, on my distagon and other lenses. It's partly habit (been doing it for over forty years), partly so that I can clean them relatively crudely with the none-too-clean glass fibre cloth I always carry in my pocket. And I replace filters when they become noticeably scratched. Nettar

 

[Roger Hicks]

18/4, 50/1.5 for Leica and 38/4.5 for Alpa: no. Never got round to it. In fact, the only lenses that always have filters on them are the 35/1.4 and the 90/2. But they ALL have lens shades and most are normally protected by OpTech 'hood hats' when not in use (andd a plain lens cap on the Biogon). Hood Hats are amazing: see
http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/review optech shower cap.html

Cheers,

Rr.

 

[raid]

I do not use any filters at all on any of my RF lenses. I use a lens hood, though. All the time. Why degrade a quality optic with any glass at all.

 

[braver]

I only use a filter on my Canon 50/1.4. Most importantly because it's the only lens I have a filter for that isn't orange. And it may be a bit easier to scratch than newer lenses, so I figured it made sense. Other than that, hoods on everything for protection.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I do not use any filters at all on any of my RF lenses. I use a lens hood, though. All the time. Why degrade a quality optic with any glass at all.

Dear Raid,

Have you ever actually seen any image degradation from filters? Flare may be a possibility if you don't use lens hoods or shoot into the sun, but neither I, nor anyone else whose reports I have ever read, has ever actually seen any degradation of resolution or contrast in reasonably formal testing. This includes Ctein, a far better experimentalist than I.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ReeRay]

I'll go with Roger on this. In 40+ years I've ALWAYS placed a protective filter on ALL my lenses. Never seen any degradation despite extensive testing.
Surely a filter is cheaper to replace than a lens.

 

[viv]

I have three Zeiss lenses. Iuse filters and hoods on them all, but never lens caps.

 

[Nettar]

I'm with Roger here -- I have never noticed any degradation from using filters. However, I'd go a bit further -- I can't honestly say that I've ever noticed degradation from a (moderately) scratched filter, either! Indeed, unless you are using very short focal lengths and a small sensor camera, or shooting into the light, it always surprises me how much gunk I can have on a filter without having problems. The same is probably true for a lens, too. So, why do I bother even with filters?! Well, I just don't like to scratch lenses, I guess. Maybe I'm just superstitious... Nettar

 

[hellomikmik]

I use UV filters to protect the lenses (35/2,8 and 85/2). Caps + hoods as well if I can. Especially in polluted city or by the windy seaside. Week or 2 ago I spent lot of time cleaning the filters after seaside trip. However if I would know that I'm going to shoot in low light, at same clean place where I can be careful, I would probably take them off. I guess they might add some flare.

 

[semilog]

If you DO decide to use them, get the best. B+W, Heliopan or higher-end Hoyas. Cheap filters are no bargain!

Heliopan are a relatively poor value [link].

I do keep a Hoya or B+W on most of my lenses, most of the time. I'd be pretty unhappy if a piece of grit got on the microfiber cloth or the lenspen and trashed the front element on a nice lens. And it rains a lot here so I wipe the front elements a lot. If you're using good UV filters they'll almost never have any detectable effect on what the film or sensor see, anyway — as Ctein's tests and the tests run by Lenstip (linked above) show.

 

[Joe AC]

[/QUOTE18/4, 50/1.5 for Leica and 38/4.5 for Alpa: no. Never got round to it. In fact, the only lenses that always have filters on them are the 35/1.4 and the 90/2. But they ALL have lens shades and most are normally protected by OpTech 'hood hats' when not in use (andd a plain lens cap on the Biogon). Hood Hats are amazing: see
http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subsc...wer cap.html

Cheers,

Rr.

Love the "Hood Hats". Thanks Roger

 

[Joe AC]

18/4, 50/1.5 for Leica and 38/4.5 for Alpa: no. Never got round to it. In fact, the only lenses that always have filters on them are the 35/1.4 and the 90/2. But they ALL have lens shades and most are normally protected by OpTech 'hood hats' when not in use (andd a plain lens cap on the Biogon). Hood Hats are amazing: see
http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/review optech shower cap.html

Cheers,

Rr.

Love the "Hood Hats". Thanks Roger

 

[barnwulf]

I never use a filter. Lens hood for me. Jim

 

[johannielscom]

Can't help you. Mine is a 1943 Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5 LTM and coating is very soft. All my other lenses are filterless but the wartime Zeiss Sonnars are all filtered.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I never use protective filters.

I don't do anything unless there is some compelling reason to do so. I have not found that compelling reason.

 

[pajamas]

ok thank you guys. learned a lot.