UV filters.

[ReagenButler]

I know this is probably a controversial topic but i brought myself a 24-105L yesterday and I'm thinking of getting a UV filter to protect it more than anything. Obviously i want to protect my shiny new glass without affecting image sharpness and quality and all that. Just wondering what brands you all suggest? Its a 77mm thread.

[sooshee]

I have been using the B+W brand recently and am convinced of its quality- very sturdy (ring made of brass) and the glass lets in all the light it can instead of reflecting it back. I've just ordered a couple more.

[ReagenButler]

Where abouts did you order them from? Thats really expensive but i guess i should probably invest.

[Adam]

i never use them. The hood provides enough protection for my needs. B+W are a good brand though.

[duncanm]

What Adam said, although I do have a good quality CPL filter pretty much permanently fixed to my 17-40...

[ReagenButler]

The hood provides enough protection for my needs.

Well I've heard the hood that comes with my lens is pretty good so that should be alright.
Cheers guys.

[rjd]

What Adam said, although I do have a good quality CPL filter pretty much permanently fixed to my 17-40...

What Adam said, but as above some lenses do need a filter to be fully sealed, like the 17-40.

[sooshee]

Where abouts did you order them from? Thats really expensive but i guess i should probably invest.

Hi I got them from B&H in the US. Recall they were about NZ$70 (before shipping costs) compared to around $150 here.

[ReagenButler]

That sounds like me (being on a student budget). Ill get the lens couriered to me on monday and see what i think of just the hood for protection.
Thanks heaps.

[rjd]

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2008...ment-scratches

[jyphoto.co.nz]

Good idea to get a filter if you want it weather sealed...doesn't mean you have to leave it on all the time...sometimes going to the beach on a windy day etc, sand and dust etc blows into your lens. B and W are really good.

[Russ]

Hoods give zero protection from sand, salt water, mud etc. Get a filter for those conditions.

[rjd]

Yep I agree, some conditions need protective filters if you are going to be rough with equipment, and some lenses need filters to be properly sealed (17-40l etc).

[smix]

Yep I agree, some conditions need protective filters if you are going to be rough with equipment, and some lenses need filters to be properly sealed (17-40l etc).

I thought all Canon L lenses required a filter to complete the sealing?

[rjd]

Nope, the 70-200 doesnt, and all the big whites dont.

[riley989]

Heh...Imagine how much a screw in filter for a 800mm L would cost if they actually had them.

[rjd]

And they had threads..

the km1 supertele's actually in effect had a built in filter, the last piece of glass was for protection, the new ones dont need it.

[CWyatt]

I have one on mine for a few reasons:
1) Don't care about extreme optimal sharpness;
2) Don't use a hood for street photography;
3) I like flare;
4) I shoot in bad conditions like rain a lot and like to wipe my lens all the time without worrying; but
5)I still use a good filter. Just got a Hoya HD super-tough one after this...


Took the brunt of a hit on the corner or a staircase handle rail. Lens doesn't have a single mark.

[Arthurhh]

Gee looks like you weren't being highly protective of your gear, never mind, eventually it happens to most of us.
I use filters on my most used lens, but not on my specific for shots lens, figure the day to day lens needs it, but I am super careful when I drag a task specific lens out and don't need it.

[Desmond]

When this topic came up a while ago I coped and pasted much of the information to my blog on cheap filters and image quality .
I have filters on all of my lenses - just be aware that a bad filter can have an effect on the image quality .