Attached Link: http://www.photo.net/mjohnston/column66/

When I used to do a lot of film shooting with my Canon..I had 2 of these on 2 different lenses. I soon tossed them out as they created reflections and added a dullness to the images.Just one more thing to clean too.I imagine for people heading into thick bushes they could be a bit of a saver,but I was always just careful.

I'm 50/50 on it I guess; they can be really flairy and bounce light about all over the place. I tend not to use them, but do have them in the bag, and put them on if I think it is beneficial, like if I an climbing just for a bit of added protection. I heard a great story too about two wildlife photographers out looking for a moose bull, whilst tracking the animal down it snowed, so the lenses were covered (they both had filters on) on getting in range discovering their lenses were covered, one struggled to clean off the snow, the other whipped off the filter and got the shot! His companion got a shot of the mooses rear vanishing into the trees lol Thats life.

Good article, 'chelle. [Though I must admit to a certain amount of, "My God! How did it get THAT dirty?" And applying a little spit and polish to the cheap UV filter is better than no shooting at all.] Generally I'll buy Skylight filters rather than UV, as I like the slight warming. And, as the article points out, there is a real reason for using such heavy UV/haze filtering in the mountains. But, the contrast degradation and flare mentioned in the article is real. Silly to pay big bucks for a lens and then cover it with a piece of glass! I do now want to rush out and google these "hot mirror" filters. And the MRC coating, as I shoot in the rain a lot!

I've seen this argument before (the new twist is that DSLR sensors are a lot less sensetive to UV than film, so the UV filter isn't necessary). Like Misha, I prefer a warmer Sky 1A over a UV filter. From day one on every lens I have, there has been a Sky 1A (of course, removed when I used other filters). Which means almost every image you have ever seen from me has had that filter on it. I shoot exclusively with hoods on all of my lenses. I have never had a flaring problem. The only time I did have that problem, it was in using a rented lens that had a 82mm thread and I didn't have a filter that would fit. Flared every chance it got which I found bizarre (you guys might remember that thread in which I complained about it - was at the ImportLife Tour carshow last year). That is not to say you get flare without filters. It's just what happened. I think the key for me has been, I didn't scrimp on my lens, why would I scrimp on my filters? Get yourself high quality, multicoated filters from good companies (ie. Hoya or B+W). It also helps to learn what to do and what not to do when using them. Finally, I shoot in a lot of crowd situations were you never know what will come at you. I know others shoot a lot in woods/forests and places where slipping is very easy. There are also people who shoot a lot the beach. All of these can be dangerous to your lens. I would much rather clean salt spray/sand from or have an object bounce off of/crack my $90 filter than the front element of my $1000 lens. Yeah, new lens elements are harder and stronger than in the past, but it's still glass. And some lenses are coated glass. You think you have flare problems with filters, wait until you get scratches on the front element. -=>Donald

[What would I do without Google?] There is a slight error in the article. "Hot Mirror" filters are for blocking IR, not UV, and are mostly used in digitals. [Was this the filter to remove on the early Sony's in order to see through clothing?] "Hot Mirror Hot Mirror Filter. Hazy casts in images are often caused by the charge coupled device of the camera, which is highly sensitive to light in the infrared range. The Hot Mirror Filter limits this bluish cast and allows for the image to have normal colour."

I wonder why they didn't post 2 images per shot in that article.. showing the effect with and without the UV filter to prove their point. Maybe because the reflection is actually coming from within the lens itself? As for now I'll keep my B+W UV filters on :)

Cool to hear other sides of the argument for...... :~)

Oh sure ... just have to do things your own way. But I wouldn't expect anything different from someone who runs around the woods in her underwear. hehehe runs away giggling wildly -=>Donald

I have only shot with a UV filter once and that was all I needed. Every shot flared or echoed. An entire day and night of shotting hoplessly lost. I was so angry! Then I put some thought to the subject.

Glass naturally blocks 100% of UVa and 70% of UVb. This has been a known fact in optics (specticals, eyeglasses) since the 60's. When it comes to optical glass and plastics, glass is the most scratch resistant lens made. It is however the least impact resistant at lens thicknesses under 3mm. Ever TRIED to break a lens? I have. It ain't that easy. So the issue is actually scratching.

Well non-glare or Anti-refective Lenses as we old timers call them, are more sensetive to scratches. So use a lens cap! Personally, I have never had a problem removing a lens cap to grab a shot. In fact I have a harder time keeping the damn thing on! I have spent more time under the seats at hockey games trying to find the cap than I have shooting games!

Just my 2 cents.

As for Donald, get the Schneider MRC filters. I know the technology and it works. Oils even have a hard time sticking to them.

Magick Michahel

Message edited on: 02/12/2005 19:15

Hey Donald I wasn't naked I had my Angel Wings on.....! And yes Michael.... that's my solution, a lens cap! I stick it in my pocket when not being used and it goes right back on when I stop shooting, and continue walking in the woods. I've not once gotten a scratch on my lens..... now if I were going to go shooting at the beach, desert, etc. on a regular basis, I might consider it. Now I can only hope by making that statement I haven't jinxed myself.

It's all personal preference. When I'm in a crowd of 400 people, I can't count on someone in the crowd not hitting my camera or someone throwing something. There is no right or wrong. Everyone's experience will guide them. And, as always, the moment something goes wrong you'll think "Damn it!! Why didn't I just ...." 'chelle - And such lovely wings too ... oooooooo. :) -=>Donald

Shooting in the room with the fan... Filter. Hood. Welding mask. Umpire's chest protector. Nose plugs. It really depends on the situation. Really pissed when my Moose combination polorizer/skylight only allowed the lens mechanics to focus at infinity. [BTW, read an article while getting a mocha in B&N yesterday. Seems that "Digital" lenses have some correction elements so all the rays hit the CCD nearly tangent. Matters mostly with wide angle lenses.]

I just noticed the Words...Hood. Welding Mask. Umpire's Chest Protector. Nose Plugs....and wondered if there was some kind of kinky Party going on...where's the Drinks Fridge?

Industrial/sports paraphanelia fetishist? Misha I though I knew ye well! Hehehehe....

With many shots in the Swiss Alps I'm safe :) In fact, that UV-filter saved my lense once. I stepped on a stone that started to move, and with my cam on the tripod I had to find grip, smashing the cam on the rocks! crack Oooops! The sacrifice of that filter taught me it's great to have it, but the artictle is right, be aware of extra flares. A sun cap or just a good old hand above the lense protecting it from the sun usually helps. High in the mountains it helps wonderful to rule out the unnatural blue and a polarizer can help even better against it. Since you've not missed it enjoy the (little) money it left for you to be spent to other stuff!

I've noticed some ghosting in evening shots, but those are extended exposures, so I'll just remember to remove it at that time, so thanks for that advice. Asides from that, I think I'm going to keep my UV filters on all of my lenses ($100 in filters protecting $3750 in lenses). I didn't start using the filters to protect the glass anyway... I did it to protect the protective and filtering layers that are placed on the front elements. I'll try to find some time to go out and test other shots with and without the filters though.

Just wanted Michelle to know that the NYI Photo Course recommends not using a Sky filter to protect the lens, but to use the lens cap. The course material says they use to recommend the use of a filter to protect the lens, but have since changed their thinking. The use of the extra glass, can cause more flaring or degrade the image. So unless you are in a condition such as a beach, shoot without a filter, unless you use a filter for an effect.