UV Lens covers -- essential or a bad idea

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DNathan

Well-known member
I've been filming without any protection and feeling guilty about it, so I ordered UV lens covers for our cameras. We filmed our first wedding with them and I cannot believe how many lens flares and reflections I got from them. I'm furious. :kali:

I'm returning them and going back to just protecting our lenses, using a polarizing filter only for harsh sunlight. Thoughts?
 
If you are going to put a filter on, at least get a decent multi coated one, the reflections wont be as bad. Still, if you are using it solely for protection, you should only bother when you need to be worried about damage... For example I would not bother using one in most wedding scenarios. Exceptions might include being outside with dust/sand blowing around or perhaps trying to get a close-up of drunk break-dancers at the reception :D The polarizer should do the trick for the outside scenarios (unless you actually need the UV filter there too).

So again, I'd only use the filter when needed... and if you are going to use one, spend the few extra bucks on a good one that wont give you as many problems.
 
Never skimp on anything that goes in front of your lens. Every single frame of video you shoot will be affected by that filter.

I shoot without one 95% of the time. If you're going to put one on, it had better be the very best filter you can get (which usually means B+W, Schneider, or Heliopan). For the budget-minded, MAYBE a Hoya HMC. But avoid the cheap stuff like the plague.
 
Well, this thread is timely. I was about to inquire about the same question. I'm purchasing my 1st HMC150 today (and your book Barry!) and I was curious about peripherals. I'd like the added protection on my lens. B&H sells a Tiffen 72mm UV Protector Filter. How do you feel about that?
 
I've been using a Tiffen circular polarizing filter for a few weeks now and love it.
 
oxband said:
B&H sells a Tiffen 72mm UV Protector Filter. How do you feel about that?
Click to expand...
B&H sells a lot of filters; Tiffen is not thought that highly of in the round filters. In the 4x4 square, yes, but in the round filters, they would be far from my first choice. Go for a B+W MRC.
 
Not that I can add more weight than Barry but I couldn't agree with him more. I've used B+W filters on all my lenses and have never noticed lens flares other than those that I wanted for effect.

Xian, the one you linked to on B&H is good.
 
I've been using B+W circular polarizer and UV for a while. They have been great optically, but my polarizer recently developed loose glass... perhaps from cleaning or from when it needs to be pried off the camera? It can still work, but is a pain and "clank"s when tilted. Anybody know if there is a trick to fix that or if its hosed?
 
A $100 UV filter is cheaper to replace than a lens.

I have never shot with any pro gear (ENG/EPG) that didn't have one on the lens!

Unless you are shooting a movie with the lens cared for like they were hand made by God himself (for the price you would think that to be true).. I don't see why you would not want a good quality protector on your camera.
 
I use B+W UV's on mine as well, no sense whatsoever in putting cheap glass in front of such a good lense. Personally I would not shoot without one, its just cheap protection. Never had any flair or reflective issues with B+W. Use them on all my Canon L glass as well as the HMC's.
 
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