Lens Filter?

W

wh112988

Member
Hey, I'm new to this forum so if this question has been asked, sorry.
I just purchased my HPX170 and it's great. However, I'm concerned about getting the lens dirty and am thinking about getting a clear lens filter to protect it from dirt and dust and stuff. But of course putting in a crappy filter will compromise the image quality. Do you guys think it's worth it to put in a protector lens or is it not worth it?
 
I think that is very expensive to fix a scratched lens + the time to do it you will loose your cam so the cost of an UV or a clear filter is nothing compare to that.
 
youre new-ish here kabtv. and you make good sense. but one of the popular opinions here is that even the BEST clear filter is going to have some (though minimal) negative effect on your image. so a lot of folks decide to go naked unless the glass actually contributes to the image.
 
Or if you're putting the camera in a compromising position where damage is likely (sea spray, or a shot from a moving car, or anything like that).
 
wgzn said:
youre new-ish here kabtv. and you make good sense. but one of the popular opinions here is that even the BEST clear filter is going to have some (though minimal) negative effect on your image. so a lot of folks decide to go naked unless the glass actually contributes to the image.
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If some minimal negative effect happens, just remove the filter...Voila !!!
 
I usually keep my UV filter on my lens. I do a lot of documentary and handheld closeups (like dance etc) I had various things jumping to my lens, Branches, dust, mud, velociraptors (also the often attack from behind)...
Just take it off when needed. To me having a clean UV filter gives a much better image quality than a naked scratched lens.
 
I spend a LOT of time outdoors, on water, in industrial projects and in high human traffic areas. I have two filters from B&W and one of them is on %99 of the time with no ill effect. I use a B&W MRC Kasseman polarizer or a B/W UV MRC.

These are more expensive but have been fantastic. However if you hit the sun just right, even with these you stand to get some possible negative reflections.

So when I'm working in high sunlight and on the water I have the polarizer screwed on and two ND 4x4 glass filters dropped into my mattebox with no flags. It lets me keep my aperture open pretty wide and flares/reflection are essentially nonexistent.

When you're inches away from a big struggling fish, you have no worries or regrets.

picture.php
 
I've got B/W u/v filters on both of mine, put 'em there the day I bought 'em and I've never noticed any image degradation from shooting with/without them. To me, it's just another form of protection from the elements.

I don't shoot 170's though...I use the 200a's and the filters are 82mm, which make them some of the spendiest of the bunch...so it's definitely a tough choice. As far as physical protection (bumping the camera or the lens into something), the hood does it's job...however, for many of the issues described above, a filter is definitely another piece of insurance against Mother Nature:)

I also have a couple of still cameras, so sharing these bigger effect filters is easy to do with step down rings for my some of my bigger lenses. Do you have any photography gear or filters? Obviously rare to have an 82mm...unless you shoot some of the bigger L glass from Canon.

J
 
I use the 200a's and the filters are 82mm, which make them some of the spendiest of the bunch...
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Here! Here! They are VERY pricey. We run 170 and 200a and 200 and they definitely hit you for the extra 10mm!!!

I have both 72mm and 82mm versions of these filters, but if you've got other lenses DocRock is spot on about the adapter rings.

I think when you're in a studio or a very controlled environment you can go naked, the moment you step out that door its really smart to have it. After four years of trudging outside and two nasty hits, my 200 lens is still spotless!
 
i know i'm new here but i got 20 years of ENG and productions under the bell...
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hey kab, hope you dont think i was trying to be snarky. i was just referring to there being a lot of discussion on the topic here on the forum
 
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