Who uses UV Filters on their Fuji lens?

[Lynxo]

Hi,

 

I'm paranoid with lens scratching or accidents, always used like a hoya super hmc uv filter

or Marumi brand on my lens.

 

I don't really know if fuji sensor or lens don't like extra glass on them. Issue or no issue?

 

I know its age old of use or don't use. Just curious. The 18-55mm with 58mm diameter is quite large,

not going to be a cheap one.

 

If all goes well, will have a x-t10 in my hands fairly soon. Decided to wait it out on the x-t2.

[Lynxo]

would you use a marumi dhg clear or dhg uv?

still trying to search the differences, they seem similiar in price.

it just says for digital cameras to use the clear version

[darknj]

I use clear filters on my important lenses, those I cannot go without.

 

But for more specialised lenses like the 60mm macro I don't really bother

[Larry Bolch]

As a working photographer, filters were solutions to very specific photographic problems, and to be used as the last resort. For protection, every lens came with a lens cap and many with a hood as well. That is what we all used.

Camera sales 101. Always use guilt to push a "protective" filter with every lens. "We buy them by the case-load and mark them up incredibly. Negotiate the price of the lens and make it back by sticking them with a filter." If you love your camera store, buy a filter from them as a love offering. Chuck it in the trash as you leave the store.

See real world testing: https://youtu.be/P0CLPTd6Bds

[Fredkelder]

Hi,

 

I don't really know if fuji sensor or lens don't like extra glass on them. Issue or no issue?

 

I know its age old of use or don't use. Just curious. The 18-55mm with 58mm diameter is quite large,

not going to be a cheap one.

 

If all goes well, will have a x-t10 in my hands fairly soon. Decided to wait it out on the x-t2.

Hi!

-No particular issue.

-About IQ, it's better using lens without UV filter.

-I always add a filter on X100(.) because single lens camera.

[addicted2light]

IMO, the only two reasons to use an UV filter are:

 

a you're in a sandstorm

b it's raining

 

And b mostly because I'm a slob, so if I have a filter on my lens when it's raining (and obviously the deepest hood I can fit without vignetting) I can clean up water drops from the front of the lens without worrying of scratching the lens itself, even using a corner of my shirt if needed.

Edited March 19, 2016 by addicted2light

[milandro]

Some use them some don’t.

 

The UV thing is completely useless on modern cameras because the sensor filters the UV radiation out.

 

 

 

So now they sell “ clear lens protection” filters... which are more or less expensive pieces of glass designed to block dust, fingerprints and splashes of various liquids.

 

 

 

 

There is no doubt that there will be few people out there with some entertaining story of when they got a splash of some liquid ( soda, paint, bird’s poop)  which fortunately didn’t get on the lens because they had a filter in front of the lens or someone who had some high velocity impact with an object which cracked the filter but left the lens intact ( while it is entirely possible that such a close encounter smashed both or that the filter twists the filter thread or that an otherwise almost innocuous tennis ball cracks first the filter and then the shattered glass  of the filter scratches the lens seen the close proximity of the two).

 

On the other hand these events are all extremely rare. If we held a poll, few would ever have had anything like that and just do this out of a habit.

 

 

 

Introducing, yet another, piece of glass of dubious quality ( unless you spend an arm and a leg) in front of your lens might be not the best idea ( we have seen here on FR at leas twice people complaining that, under certain light circumstances the lettering on the front of the lens is reflected onto the lens and in the image by a filter in front) and in the following cases they were good brands too!

 

http://www.fuji-x-forum.com/topic/1977-filter-reflections-with-xf14mm-f28/

 

http://www.fuji-x-forum.com/topic/169-samyang-12mm-f20-ncs-cs-x-mount/page-6?do=findComment&comment=12256

 

 

I do own a few filters.

 

1) I use because otherwise the lens cap won't fit the lens hood of my Helios lens.

 

2) is on a Meyer 50mm for which I have no front cap (yet, it is coming from China)

 

3) this is an otherwise expensive ( bought secondhand) B&W for the 60mm, it is not used as a filter as such but since I wanted to adapt a lens hood I needed a spacer between the lens, the step up ring and the hood otherwise the lens goes into erro and won’t focus.

[Lynxo]

IMO, the only two reasons to use an UV filter are:

 

a you're in a sandstorm

b it's raining

 

And b mostly because I'm a slob, so if I have a filter on my lens when it's raining (and obviously the deepest hood I can fit without vignetting) I can clean up water drops from the front of the lens without worrying of scratching the lens itself, even using a corner of my shirt if needed.

lol, I have the same logic here. I can clean the protective filter over and over without worries of scratching or affecting the

front lens element. Ideal world, don't use it, fully understand this too...

[addicted2light]

...on the other hand, they can be useful with legacy lenses BEHIND the lens.

 

I DIY'd this contraption you can read about in the following link mostly to avoid seawater droplets on the sensor when changing lenses at the beach, especially on windy days:

 

http://www.addicted2light.com/2015/11/21/how-to-get-rid-of-dust-on-the-sensor-the-diy-way/

Edited March 19, 2016 by addicted2light

[milandro]

Well done @addicted2light If well executed this is potentially a very, very good idea and it would be a great thing if brands such as K&F, the one that you’ve used in your prototype, would simply include the possibility to screw-in a filter ( and sell it as an accessory) in their already very well made adapters. I would prefer the screw in and out solution for cleaning or replacement purposes.

 

One of the reasons which drove me to buy a lens turbo II adapter was that the lens elements would work as a barrier for the exact same reason that you are mentioning. 

[Nick05]

I put filters on a few lenses, but don't use them on most. I generally use B+W filters when I use them. I put one on the 10-24mm because it is a lens you can get very close to things with and if not paying attention, bump the lens into. i know the lens hood would help with this, but I use it without the hood most of the time. I also put one on the 100-400 because it is used in harsher environments. I noticed the 18-55mm has one too, but I think that is mostly because I had it from a canon lens I owned in the past. ease of cleaning is the main reason I have it on those lenses. I don't use them on any of my primes.

[addicted2light]

Well done @addicted2light If well executed this is potentially a very, very good idea and it would be a great thing if brands such as K&F, the one that you’ve used in your prototype, would simply include the possibility to screw-in a filter ( and sell it as an accessory) in their already very well made adapters. I would prefer the screw in and out solution for cleaning or replacement purposes.

 

One of the reasons which drove me to buy a lens turbo II adapter was that the lens elements would work as a barrier for the exact same reason that you are mentioning.

 

Thanks, the only thing vaguely similar I managed to find are the adapters that include a variable nd filter. I agree, a solution with a screw in fiter would be optimal!

[milandro]

I wasn’t aware of the existence of any adapters with a ND filter and I looked them up only after reading this It is indeed not very clear to me why nobody came up with this idea before.

 

There might be some reasons why but if one would make this a screw-in-and-out system you could always chose whether to use the filter, or not.

 

On a sideline I really like my K&F adapter too! Very well made. JUst a little more expensive than other no name adapters but much better made and very much cheaper than any branded adapter.

[Morgo]

I started off with filters with all my Canon gear. After getting some super tele's such as the Canon 200-400 and 600 F4 IS which don't have any provisions to mount a front filter and each cost more then rest of my kit combined I stopped worrying about filters on the other lens.

 

I still have some and will use them only if I anticipate being in a very dusty environment where it is quicker to change the filter than clean the lens element properly.

[olli]

I started using filters when i moved to Manila for two reasons. First, Manila streets are incredibly crowded so i feel that my lenses are a bit more vulnerable than before. Second, I don't like lens hoods since, apart from the one for the 35, they are generally bulky and at odds with my goal of keeping things compact and discreet.

 

I don't doubt that there are poor quality filters out there, but I very much doubt that good quality filters (I use B&W) make any noticeable difference to lens performance. I've certainly never seen any evidence (other than individual stories) demonstrating this. That said,when I move on to my next destination I may take them off again.

 

Ultimately, poor technique and low quality displays have a far greater impact on image quality than a filter.

[Aswald]

Hi,

 

I'm paranoid with lens scratching or accidents, always used like a hoya super hmc uv filter

or Marumi brand on my lens.

 

I don't really know if fuji sensor or lens don't like extra glass on them. Issue or no issue?

 

I know its age old of use or don't use. Just curious. The 18-55mm with 58mm diameter is quite large,

not going to be a cheap one.

 

If all goes well, will have a x-t10 in my hands fairly soon. Decided to wait it out on the x-t2.

What's that?

 

I don't use one but the only one I've seen make very distinct difference are rodenstock uv filters. A layer of haze removed.

 

If you really need one, I'd recommend that.

[Marc G.]

Use Hoya HMCs on all lenses. Saved my 16-55's front element a couple of times. Cheap, best UV filters in lenstip's test and no regrets or flare issues at all. I left the front caps in the boxes..

[milandro]

... and the lens hood too?

[Marc G.]

No?

[milandro]

I was wondering how did you manage to damage the filter if there was a lens hood attached. Lens hoods offer some protection too although their presence, if you bump into something, might be the cause of damage because, an impact to the lens hood might transfer to the lens.

[Marc G.]

Ever seen the lens hood on the 16-55? It doesn't offer that much protection for a 77mm filter threaded front element. I bumped into stuff on weddings several times. Left 1 filter deeply scratched. I much rather use protective filters than deal with insurance and a broken lens.

[milandro]

I haven’t been shooting in crowded places in a very long time and I can’t say that I’ve done many weddings in my differently oriented and now gone career.

 

Different experiences I guess.

 

But no, I’ve never scratched filters or lenses. 

 

Dropped a camera though   ( Pentax 6x7) came out with a dent on the right top corner ( the entire top had to be replaced and I even got a camera with a completely new serial number with a certificate to match!)  but miraculously the 135mm macro ( only 1:2 I am afraid) was undamaged.

[Marc G.]

Well, I think my experience proves to me that using UV filters for protection actually may save you some hassle. I tested those filters for flare issues, shooting against the sun. No problems so far.. and 1 filter cost me about 10€ so not that big of a deal, imo.

Edited March 21, 2016 by Marc G.

[milandro]

if that is your experience I am sure that that works for you. I never had that experience.

 

As I said, in over 25 years, I’ve never had that but I admit I might have been lucky a very long time.

[milandro]

I’d like to add that If I were to go into a very wet place or a sandy environment I might definitely consider using a protective filter.

 

In those cases I should think that the possible interference of an extra glass element are of a minor concern because I would most certainly try avoid using a brush or blowing dust away on the front lens. But in any rather more tranquil settings, personally, I don’t bother putting a filter on my lenses ( with the exceptions that I’ve talked about before).

 

Different strokes.

Edited March 21, 2016 by milandro