Honu-Hugger
Well-known
copake_ham said:
I use many lenses that were originally made in quantities of less than three or four hundred when new (Schact, Kinoptik, Kilar, Zeiss Topogon, etc.) and guess what? Still no "protective" filters on any of them. No filters and I don't treat any of them like "replaceable s**t;" is this a concept that seems difficult to comprehend? That a person can still be careful without a "protective" filter?
C
ch1
Guest
FrankS said:
You're correct.
I sincerely apologize for saying STUPID etc.
It was a "dumbo" statement and I was wrong to use it.
I should have said AMAZED that this would even be a query.
Please forgive my indescretion.
dmr
Registered Abuser
Not to sound like a heretic here, but ...
On the 28-135 zoom lens on the SLR I do keep a skylight filter for protection. I figure that it cost boocoo $$$ and a few $ is cheap insurance.
On the rangefinders, and on the SLR with the normal lens and even the superwide, I never really thought of it. I suppose on the GIII I could get a new one or a replacement lens element from a parts camera if it got dinged. For the Mamiya I have almost enough parts to make another one, including a front lens assembly all ready to screw in if necessary.
Yes, I do use lens caps.
On the 28-135 zoom lens on the SLR I do keep a skylight filter for protection. I figure that it cost boocoo $$$ and a few $ is cheap insurance.
On the rangefinders, and on the SLR with the normal lens and even the superwide, I never really thought of it. I suppose on the GIII I could get a new one or a replacement lens element from a parts camera if it got dinged. For the Mamiya I have almost enough parts to make another one, including a front lens assembly all ready to screw in if necessary.
Yes, I do use lens caps.
C
ch1
Guest
Honu-Hugger said:
Mea culpa ,in part... [see other posts]
You can be a "careful" as a saint - but "accidents" happen.
You apparently have a lot of glass and some indifference as to their value to you.
My values are different.
It's not just a matter of price and replacement - to me its a matter of respect for what I currently own - and what I hope to pass on...
Carefulness does not replace protection.
I'll bet your drive carefully - does that mean you don't have insurance?
richard_l
Well-known
I thought it was a pretty sensible question.
Dave, if you feel better with a UV filter on your Cron, use one, and don't worry about it. If you always use an appropriate hood, and remove the filter when shooting into a light source, you should never have any deterioration of your photos due to the filter.
Dave, if you feel better with a UV filter on your Cron, use one, and don't worry about it. If you always use an appropriate hood, and remove the filter when shooting into a light source, you should never have any deterioration of your photos due to the filter.
back alley
IMAGES
copake_ham said:
i'll tell ya about an accident.
i dropped my canon p with a 50/1.9 collapsible lens, the wrist strap came loose & i never noticed.
i dropped that set up on my favourite shooting street, whyte avenue.
i had no filter on that lens but i did have a nice metal screw in hood. that hood took all the force of a full frontal drop and caved like my lawyer in my first divorce.
the lens glass was fine, untouched.
a filter would have not made a difference but that hood worked like a charm.
so, i don't see myself as stupid in the least.
joe
pvdhaar
Peter
No permanent filters on my lenses.. just lens caps and being cautious with my photo stuff..
It's a question about what you worry rather about; lens protection or flare.
When shooting I don't want to have to think 'Hey, here is some sun at the edge of the frame, I think I will take that filter off..'
I'm having trouble enough focussing, metering and composing well.. I don't need additional worries..
It's a question about what you worry rather about; lens protection or flare.
When shooting I don't want to have to think 'Hey, here is some sun at the edge of the frame, I think I will take that filter off..'
I'm having trouble enough focussing, metering and composing well.. I don't need additional worries..
JohnL
Very confused
I have B+W MRC UV (or similar grade) filters on all my SLR lenses but one (12-24mm zoom), which won't accept front filters, and which I generally only use for a few shots at a time anyway. In part, this is because I tend to leave the other lenses on for quite extended periods, without lens cap, and I think protection is an issue. In most cases, putting a lens cap on these lenses requires removal/reversal of the lens hood.
For my new (used) RF, which I'll be collecting in about three weeks, I do not plan on using UV filters. I may get a polarizer, though. I'll put the lens cap on if I'm not actively looking for opportunities.
It takes no time to remove a lens cap and extend the hood. It takes quite a few seconds to remove the cap and then remove, reverse and replace the hood.
That's my thinking for now, anyway.
For my new (used) RF, which I'll be collecting in about three weeks, I do not plan on using UV filters. I may get a polarizer, though. I'll put the lens cap on if I'm not actively looking for opportunities.
It takes no time to remove a lens cap and extend the hood. It takes quite a few seconds to remove the cap and then remove, reverse and replace the hood.
That's my thinking for now, anyway.
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hoot
green behind the ears
Yellow, green, yellow-green or orange filter if there's going to be any sky in my shots (unless I want the sky to be white, which I sometimes do). Nothing less than B+W or Heliopan, even if I'm only shooting with a $20 lens.
Up until this summer, I used to have a UV filter on each lens at all times, but it decreased image quality somewhat, so now I'm simply more careful with the lens than before. Even after leaving the UV filter at home, I still didn't bother with lens caps though. My bag is fitted with the right sized compartment for the body and lens, and I padded this compartment with some cloth. The camera gets dropped in there and stays safe. There's usually a collapsed rubber hood on the lens, which keeps the front element clear of anything that could rub against it by a couple of mm.
By the way, a tip for dusting your front element: use disposable lens paper (Kodak makes it; probably other brands as well) rather than microfiber cloth. Since you never use the paper more than once, the chances of actually *adding* dust, dirt and oil to the front of your lens are practically nil. Furthermore, the paper is used not to wipe, but to lightly dab at the glass, so you don't have to worry about wiping marks either. And if the lens ever gets *really* dirty (i.e., children get their fingerprints all over the front element :bang: ), add a few drops of lens cleaning liquid before applying the paper. Works like a charm.
Up until this summer, I used to have a UV filter on each lens at all times, but it decreased image quality somewhat, so now I'm simply more careful with the lens than before. Even after leaving the UV filter at home, I still didn't bother with lens caps though. My bag is fitted with the right sized compartment for the body and lens, and I padded this compartment with some cloth. The camera gets dropped in there and stays safe. There's usually a collapsed rubber hood on the lens, which keeps the front element clear of anything that could rub against it by a couple of mm.
By the way, a tip for dusting your front element: use disposable lens paper (Kodak makes it; probably other brands as well) rather than microfiber cloth. Since you never use the paper more than once, the chances of actually *adding* dust, dirt and oil to the front of your lens are practically nil. Furthermore, the paper is used not to wipe, but to lightly dab at the glass, so you don't have to worry about wiping marks either. And if the lens ever gets *really* dirty (i.e., children get their fingerprints all over the front element :bang: ), add a few drops of lens cleaning liquid before applying the paper. Works like a charm.
simonankor
Registered Addict
Given how often the issue of filters comes up (at least among the photographers I have the pleasure of hanging out with), this is far from being a stupid post.
As for the "stupidity" of not using filters on rare lenses - well, other people would think we're all "stupid" for not using autofocus SLRs all the time.
Choice is a wonderful thing!
Most important thing is to choose your preference, stick with it and enjoy using those super-cheap throw-away cameras, or extremely expensive rare ones.
As for the "stupidity" of not using filters on rare lenses - well, other people would think we're all "stupid" for not using autofocus SLRs all the time.
Choice is a wonderful thing!
Most important thing is to choose your preference, stick with it and enjoy using those super-cheap throw-away cameras, or extremely expensive rare ones.
jamiewakeham
Long time lurker
I'm in the 'hood all the time, filter when I see the need for it' brigade. I don't have many lenses that would cost a fortune to replace, nor that are particularly rare; highest score on both counts is probably my Zeiss 180/2.8.
Having said that, there's very rarely *not* an orage filter on my zorki's collapsible elmar-a-like, because I generally feel there is a need for it!
Slight hijack - when one feels the need for both a UV filter (high mountains) and a polarizing filter, are both required? Or will (as I suspect) the polarizer block sufficient UV to make the UV filter largely redundant?
Cheers,
Jamie
Having said that, there's very rarely *not* an orage filter on my zorki's collapsible elmar-a-like, because I generally feel there is a need for it!
Slight hijack - when one feels the need for both a UV filter (high mountains) and a polarizing filter, are both required? Or will (as I suspect) the polarizer block sufficient UV to make the UV filter largely redundant?
Cheers,
Jamie
nomade
Hobbyist
I'm still learning, and right now, the photoshop is doing great(color filters), i need a light yellow for B&W...but as a protection, i'm not convinced...
lido
Established
I agree with Joe about having a hood on all the time. On my LTM lenses, it is on permanently, and J-8 sports yellow filter, but not as protection. CV lens has a built in hood that stays on all the time.
However, Nikon SLR lenses I own came with plastic hoods that I don't trust would help much in case of impact, so I have Rodenstock UV filters on them all the time.
I can't say I am super careful with my equipment, but 99% of the time the only lens cleaning required is dust removal with the lens brush.
However, Nikon SLR lenses I own came with plastic hoods that I don't trust would help much in case of impact, so I have Rodenstock UV filters on them all the time.
I can't say I am super careful with my equipment, but 99% of the time the only lens cleaning required is dust removal with the lens brush.
taffer
void
Hmmm
can't say it can always be a good idea
last weekend I spent a couple hours shooting under a not severe but continuous rain. the skopar on the bessa-t was unfiltered, got water drops but no problem. Over my shoulder I carried a F2 with a 105 lens and a UV filter on it. No matter what I did, probably due to the cold temp and high humidity around, the front element just kept getting fogged and fogged each time I put the filter on it.
So, be warned You can clen water drops later, but a fogged lens won't probably be the best picture taking think out there...
can't say it can always be a good idea
last weekend I spent a couple hours shooting under a not severe but continuous rain. the skopar on the bessa-t was unfiltered, got water drops but no problem. Over my shoulder I carried a F2 with a 105 lens and a UV filter on it. No matter what I did, probably due to the cold temp and high humidity around, the front element just kept getting fogged and fogged each time I put the filter on it.
So, be warned
You can clen water drops later, but a fogged lens won't probably be the best picture taking think out there...
FrankS
Registered User
Someone mentioned this already and it's what I do too. I treat the UV filter like a lens cap, only I don't remove it for every photo I take, only in instances where I'm shooting with a light source inside or close to the frame which may cause problems with a filter. The issue only came up because the early Leitz lens coatings are so soft, and so many fine lenses are degraded by cleaning marks. With current lenses with modern, hard coatings, it is much less of an issue.
It was also stated before that, thank God we are not all the same and hold the same views and opinions on every issue. Thanks for the lively discussion!
It was also stated before that, thank God we are not all the same and hold the same views and opinions on every issue. Thanks for the lively discussion!
dcsang
Canadian & Not A Dentist
Hey guys (and ladies - oh Stephanie? Natalia?)
I merely asked the question out of curiosity and not out of indecision. I know what I do and I'm more than pleased with how I take care of my lenses.
I may be single and have a low mortgage but I also still value what I have
I would think that me keeping my lens cap on 8/10's of the time (when I'm not shooting) should be good enough to protect the lenses for the most part but I can clearly understand the need/desire to retain as much original qualities out of a 50 year old lens as possible. After all, "they just don't make them like that anymore"
That being said, I also realize that every one has a different point of view and opinion on such things because there is just that much money invested in some of our gear.
And hence, the reason I asked the question To find out, generally speaking, what others think/do when it comes to filters on their lenses
Cheers
Dave
I merely asked the question out of curiosity and not out of indecision. I know what I do and I'm more than pleased with how I take care of my lenses.
I may be single and have a low mortgage but I also still value what I have
I would think that me keeping my lens cap on 8/10's of the time (when I'm not shooting) should be good enough to protect the lenses for the most part but I can clearly understand the need/desire to retain as much original qualities out of a 50 year old lens as possible. After all, "they just don't make them like that anymore"
That being said, I also realize that every one has a different point of view and opinion on such things because there is just that much money invested in some of our gear.
And hence, the reason I asked the question
To find out, generally speaking, what others think/do when it comes to filters on their lenses Cheers
Dave
FrankS
Registered User
And it appears that the conscensus is that we're all over the board on this issue.
N
Nick R.
Guest
I use a filter for an effect not for protection. I'm as careful as I have to be to protect my lenses but I'm not going to put an unnecessary piece of glass in front of it.
Hmm. . . at the camera show Sunday, some guy got all pissy-sh#tty when I told him I didn't use protection filters on my lenses. I was asking a dealer if he had any lens caps at the time.
Apparently, this topic is quite a button pusher.
Hmm. . . at the camera show Sunday, some guy got all pissy-sh#tty when I told him I didn't use protection filters on my lenses. I was asking a dealer if he had any lens caps at the time.
Apparently, this topic is quite a button pusher.
richard_l
Well-known
I wonder why some people who use protective filters get bent out of shape like that. It just doesn't seem like an emotional issue. Some people use protective filters, some don't. So what?Nick R. said:Hmm. . . at the camera show Sunday, some guy got all pissy-sh#tty when I told him I didn't use protection filters on my lenses. I was asking a dealer if he had any lens caps at the time.
Apparently, this topic is quite a button pusher.
back alley
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some have a greater need to be 'right'.
joe
joe