UV filter protection

[MartinN]

I must have especially greasy fingers, because I get smudge on my front surface VERY easily. And it rains quite often, and since having developed ruined films, because I have had rain fog on my lenses, I don’t want to experience that again.

 

[algrove]

I use either UV or clear filters on every lens. As many have said-I would much prefer to clean a filter instead of the front element.

 

[ThdeDude]

As to front filter use for protection I wonder whether there is a correlation as to purpose of lens ownership?

Persons who use their camera gear as tools don't care since a lens scratch or a coating imperfection is generally not noticeable in the image while even a tiny scratch or coating imperfection will ruin a lens for a camera gear collector.

 

[MartinN]

As to front filter use for protection I wonder whether there is a correlation as to purpose of lens ownership?

Persons who use their camera gear as tools don't care since a lens scratch or a coating imperfection is generally not noticeable in the image while even a tiny scratch or coating imperfection will ruin a lens for a camera gear collector.

Resell value ?

 

[ThdeDude]

Resell value ?

Not the same story? Users really don't care while for collectors the lens might be worthless.

P.S. But even for a mint, never used lens, the resell value is generally just a fraction (less than 50%?) of the purchase price, especially if there is a new model or a new lens mount. Different story perhaps for Leica M lenses or for a hard to find yet desired lens, like for example the Schneider 120mm f/5.6 Apo-Digitar Aspherical.

 

[algrove]

Any tool I own I try to take care of it, even a simple hammer.

 

[ThdeDude]

Any tool I own I try to take care of it, even a simple hammer.

I think we all do here but there is no universal consensus whether a filter actually, in effect, protect a lens as to its function. (Ignoring special situations.)

To use your example, the only way to keep a hammer pristine is not to use it. (Not a good analogy.)

 

[pieve]

This very recent article on fstoppers gives some (other) insights on the use of UV filters (also check the comments section):

Protecting Your Lenses With UV Filters: We Review the Urth Plus+ to Settle the Argument

If one argument gets photographers riled, it’s whether one should protect the front element of a lens with a UV filter. Should we instead use a lens hood? Let’s settle the argument with this definitive answer by testing an Urth Plus+ pro filter. Last week, I bought an Urth Plus+ UV filter. I use...

fstoppers.com

 

[Manzur Fahim]

Folks,

Do you guys still use UV filter on your lenses? Ever since migrated to technical camera system, I haven’t got any on my lens yet.
I guess I’ve used to with having a hood as my protection while I was using Hasselblad X.
Since Rodenstock doesn’t come with any hood so I’ve been thinking to put one on.

I use them on all my lenses. Not specifically to help with UV rays, as the digital sensors do that. I mainly use them for protection. I want to avoid touching the front element, and good UV or protection filters can help with that. B+W filters are very easy to clean, dust don't get stuck much, and it protects the front element, along with the lens hood.

Good for protection, and getting quality filters means they won't negatively affect the images.

 

[steveash]

I haven’t used them for years. I have insurance to cover damage (although Ive never had to claim) and I don’t really want to add an extra layer of unnecessary glass to add reflections, flare etc. I also think UV is underrated as a light source. Black and white portraits with an element of UV light can be beautiful.

 

[ThdeDude]

Hmm, maybe I should have a UV filter in my camera kit just for certain situation where there is a distinct probability of foreign objects impacting on the front lens element. For example, rain, ocean spray, sand blown along the beach, close-up of fireworks, Nerf gun fire directed towards the photographer.

But on the other hand, for such situation I tend to use my iPhone where the lenses have from the factory a sapphire glass cover.

 

[buildbot]

But on the other hand, for such situation I tend to use my iPhone where the lenses have from the factory a sapphire glass cover.

Does anyone make sapphire protection filters I wonder

 

[Pieter 12]

The Leica S 70mm (maybe others) comes with a clear protection element on the front. Don't know what it is made of, but it doesn't come off. Well, maybe but not by the user. Hoya has UV and protection-only filters that are supposed to be antic-static and easier to clean: https://hoyafilterusa.com/collections/uv-protector/products/evo-antistatic-protector

 

[Manzur Fahim]

Hoya in my experience isn't as easy to clean as the B+W filters. I have been so far very happy with B+W filters. Very expensive though

I tried Hoya HD filters, not sure if they released any newer models.

 

[BFD]

Always. Just easy dumb protection from small scratches, finger smudges, dust, etc. I have never seen a clear or UV filter degrade my images so why not just keep one on all the time. The only times I ever take it off is if shooting into direct sun and I am getting too much flare or slow shutter speeds at night can create noticable reflections in between the filter and lens glass. Some of my lenses have only had the front element cleaned once or twice.

 

[buildbot]

Does anyone make sapphire protection filters I wonder

Answering my own question, yes, they do!

Sapphire Protector UV-filter

Shooting 8K or large format? This filter is for you. Introducing STC’s Sapphire UV Filter. STC"s Sapphire Protector has the lowest Optical Path Difference in the industry - minimizing diffraction within the glass. Our filter uses the world’s thinnest 0.6mm Taiwan-manufacturer single-crystal...

www.stcoptics.com

MidOpt also does, at a 10x expensive factor:

LP190 Sapphire Protective Window

The MidOpt LP190 Sapphire Protective Window has a useful range of 250-2300nm and offers ?90% Peak Transmission. This filter is intended for use in vision imaging.

machinevisiondirect.com

 

[ThdeDude]

Now we are taking! Bulletproof? Not inexpensive protection however.

------------------------------
The LP190 Sapphire Protective Window is stronger than standard glass windows. It has a highly-durable surface to withstand harsh environments and is resistant to high impact, chemicals and alkalis. The LP190 Sapphire transmits wavelengths ranging from UV, VIS and short-wave infrared (SWIR).

 

[ThdeDude]

This is actually turning into an interesting thread!

-------------------------------------
Planning an extreme shoot? Worried about protecting your lens? Need a lens that can shed dirt, grease and even take a hit from a firecracker?

STC has created the Titan UV filter, a protective UV lens filter made from Corning Gorilla glass. Titan is designed to withstand 650mps (golf ball 10ft. height free fall) impact. Just for kicks, we even set off a bottle rocket on it (watch the video below).

[STC Filter] TITAN UV Filter 特級強化保護鏡

#濾鏡 1.1mm Corning Gorillla 3 抗菌玻璃鍍以新一代STC Ultra Layer　膜層，Titan UV保護鏡保留前一代UV保護鏡輕薄、高透光、低反射、退霧快之特點，推出一樣輕薄，卻能達到650MPa的耐衝擊力，如此天生神力相信能更加如同泰坦巨人般地捍衛您寶貴的鏡頭。濾鏡極限測試影片...

tinyurl.com

 

[buildbot]

This is actually turning into an interesting thread!

-------------------------------------
Planning an extreme shoot? Worried about protecting your lens? Need a lens that can shed dirt, grease and even take a hit from a firecracker?

STC has created the Titan UV filter, a protective UV lens filter made from Corning Gorilla glass. Titan is designed to withstand 650mps (golf ball 10ft. height free fall) impact. Just for kicks, we even set off a bottle rocket on it (watch the video below).

[STC Filter] TITAN UV Filter 特級強化保護鏡

#濾鏡 1.1mm Corning Gorillla 3 抗菌玻璃鍍以新一代STC Ultra Layer　膜層，Titan UV保護鏡保留前一代UV保護鏡輕薄、高透光、低反射、退霧快之特點，推出一樣輕薄，卻能達到650MPa的耐衝擊力，如此天生神力相信能更加如同泰坦巨人般地捍衛您寶貴的鏡頭。濾鏡極限測試影片...

tinyurl.com

The STC sapphire window they claim is up to 800MPs! (Whatever that means haha)

 

[Pieter 12]

That kind of impact will most likely damage other parts of the lens and camera. Get real.