sahe69
Well-known
Nope. Only if it's very rainy or I'll be subject to sprays (e.g. in a boat on windy weather), or if it's very dusty (e.g. on a windy sand beach).
oftheherd
Veteran
I'm sure it's not what you meant, but you make is sound like you are willing to accept any possible cleaning marks since you won't sell it.
I understand anyone's desire for the sharpest image possible. We all aspire to that unless purposely going for unsharpness, but if you can't notice it, what's the difference?
Exactly. I always believed in what Ed Romney used to say in his repair books; "Keep the lens clean, don't keep cleaning the lens."
Luddite Frank
Well-known
I vote for some sort of mechanical protection over clean glass... especially Leitz's notoriously soft glass.
I have UV filters on every user lens I can fit them to...
I have UV filters on every user lens I can fit them to...
ndnik
Established
no filter or lens cap. always a hood. i found this to be the most practical approach.
- N.
- N.
GSNfan
Well-known
In case you're planning to sell the lens at sometime in the future then use a filter.
Otherwise use a filter like a lens cap, put it on when needed otherwise take it off.
Otherwise use a filter like a lens cap, put it on when needed otherwise take it off.
Gumby
Veteran
No, not again!!!!!
I have a good-quality skylight filter on the lenses that get frequent use -- 35mm and MF format only. For LF I never use a protective filter. Hoods on all lenses. Lens cap(s) on all lenses when not in use.
I have a good-quality skylight filter on the lenses that get frequent use -- 35mm and MF format only. For LF I never use a protective filter. Hoods on all lenses. Lens cap(s) on all lenses when not in use.
Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
Absolutely. Cheapest insurance policy you'll ever have.
Tompas
Wannabe Künstler
I always use UV filters (or occasionally colored filters; Heliopan, B+W, or Hoya) and lens hoods. I'm not babying my equipment, and I prefer a scratched filter to a scratched front lens. And a good lens hood can work wonders for contrast and flare prevention/reduction.
Lens caps I consider dangerous on rangefinder cameras. In any case, most of mine do not fit onto the lens hood, so I can't use them anyway.
Lens caps I consider dangerous on rangefinder cameras. In any case, most of mine do not fit onto the lens hood, so I can't use them anyway.
ronnies
Well-known
Most of my lenses have skylight filters on because I don't want my two year old son's finger prints on the front elements.
I do have some lenses that don't have them as I threw out a whole load of non branded filters that came with Charity shop rescue cameras.
Ronnie
I do have some lenses that don't have them as I threw out a whole load of non branded filters that came with Charity shop rescue cameras.
Ronnie
Dektol Dan
Well-known
What would you do?
What would you do?
I shoot with old collectible glass, not necessarily valuable, but I shoot in the weather, in the rough, on the street, on public transportation and at public events.
Now I can imagine shooting situations where a prophylactic would not be needed, but not in my world.
What would you do?
I shoot with old collectible glass, not necessarily valuable, but I shoot in the weather, in the rough, on the street, on public transportation and at public events.
Now I can imagine shooting situations where a prophylactic would not be needed, but not in my world.
nobbylon
Veteran
ALL the best lenses i've bought s/h have had filters fitted for what looks apparent to be most of their lives as the glass surface is unmarked and mint. I always fit a uv to every new lens I buy. I'd rather wipe the grime off of a filter with my t shirt than start messing with the front elements of expensive glass. I've never noticed a difference to my pictures but I have noticed a difference in resale when it's time to sell.
hefty
Established
Never use filters, always use hoods (and always cap the lens when putting it away for the day or back in the bag).
presspass
filmshooter
Caps, especially Leica ones, are expensive. Mine stay at home where they belong. UVs on everything; I shoot in all kinds of weather and still use film for our weekly newspapers. I also shoot for our local volunteer fire company and don't have time to fit filters when I get out of the truck at 2 a.m. That's also the best time to drop a lens cap, never to be seen again. So, yes to filters on everything and, as Roger says, always a lens hood.
imokruok
Well-known
Always use a filter, never had a noticeable problem with flare. Also, the lens cap always goes with me, usually in my back pocket while I'm shooting. Despite being hard plastic and me sitting on them often, I've never broken one.
funkpilz
Well-known
I used a filter on my RF lens from day one, simply because I couldn't bear the shame of realizing I'd forgotten to take off the lens cap. On an SLR, it's much more simple than that, obviously.
ferider
Veteran
Funny how few people use yellow filters which I leave on almost always when shooting B+W. Not only for protection, for image improvement.
umcelinho
Marcelo
I don't use protective filter on any of my lenses, as i don't get into risk damaging situations very often. And I shoot against light sources a lot, so filters are not welcome.
But I'm considering keeping a clear filter in the bag for when I feel I could get something in the front element, might give that a try.
But I'm considering keeping a clear filter in the bag for when I feel I could get something in the front element, might give that a try.
HuubL
hunter-gatherer
+1. A yellow filter improves contrast. I also use orange filters for that purpose for much nicer clouds in blue skies.
ssmc
Well-known
Yes, but with a couple of exceptions
Yes, but with a couple of exceptions
When shooting at night, I remove the filter to eliminate reflections from the back of the glass (there seems to be no getting around this no matter how good the multi-coating on the filter is)
When testing lenses, I remove the filter just in case it has some confounding effect on the test (e.g. reflections from the room lights, slight variation from one filter to another, etc).
I have a 100mm macro with an extremely deeply recessed front element that I usually use without a filter unless I'm going someplace where there are environmental concerns like sea-spray or wind-blown dust.
When shooting B&W I always use a contrast-enhancing filter of some sort, which does double duty as a protective filter (except when testing, as above).
When I see posts about how filters "do nothing" and "degrade image quality", I only have to think of the times when I have cleaned my filters and silently given thanks that I'm not trying to get all that crud off a lens element instead (and I keep my lenses capped at all times when not actually shooting). Of course a lot of that depends where you shoot...
My 0.02
Scott
Yes, but with a couple of exceptions
When shooting at night, I remove the filter to eliminate reflections from the back of the glass (there seems to be no getting around this no matter how good the multi-coating on the filter is)
When testing lenses, I remove the filter just in case it has some confounding effect on the test (e.g. reflections from the room lights, slight variation from one filter to another, etc).
I have a 100mm macro with an extremely deeply recessed front element that I usually use without a filter unless I'm going someplace where there are environmental concerns like sea-spray or wind-blown dust.
When shooting B&W I always use a contrast-enhancing filter of some sort, which does double duty as a protective filter (except when testing, as above).
When I see posts about how filters "do nothing" and "degrade image quality", I only have to think of the times when I have cleaned my filters and silently given thanks that I'm not trying to get all that crud off a lens element instead (and I keep my lenses capped at all times when not actually shooting). Of course a lot of that depends where you shoot...
My 0.02
Scott
Neare
Well-known
Those who read John Sypal's blog or follow TCS will see in the recent entries a very good reason to always use filters. That is, for when they go crashing into the floor.