DSLR UV Filter Question

[Pinoy Rider]

Reading some past threads, I'm looking to buy a UV filter, mostly to protect the lens. I've noticed prices vary tremendously, any recommendations? Thanks,

[rizetech]

Tiffen makes good stuff - always love a uv/haze filter, good protection.

Always used tiffen, have a camera-store-guy acquaintance that does the same.

[CRAIG2]

I'll second a Tiffen. I forget what I paid for mine - I know there are several out there in varying prices, but I don't think I paid more than $20 for mine - certainly not more than $25. They do a good job cutting glare off of reflective surfaces (water, etc), seem to add clarity to outdoor shots, and as has been suggested, they're also relatively cheap insurance for your lens. I do a good bit of my shopping on B&H, but a filter is something that most shops will have at a pretty comparable price.

I also have a circular polarizer filter that's fun to play with (also Tiffen) from time to time, but I keep a UV haze filter on the bulk of my lenses just for protection. Between my wife and I, I think the only lens that does not have a filter is her 50mm macro.

[cb4photo]

Tiffen makes a good filter, own many of them. But my first choice would be Hoya. I think they have better glass in their filters, and they make their own glass also which Tiffen outsources. And the glass you put in front of your camera is the most important part.
Just my 2 cents...

[BottomBraket]

Go ahead, put a $5 filter on your $1000 lens- NOT.

Don't compromise your lenses with cheap filters.

[CRAIG2]

Go ahead, put a $5 filter on your $1000 lens- NOT.

Don't compromise your lenses with cheap filters.

Well, he's probably not using a $1000 lens, and unless he's got a lot of excess income to burn, I'd say that he's not shooting for Nat Geo if he's asking what we think of UV filter lenses.

He's probably a recreational shooter and he's not shooting L-series glass. Kind of like me. And I've no problem whatsoever using my $25 filter. I'm sure people who make living as photographers invest more, but that's their living.

[Buddylee]

Well, he's probably not using a $1000 lens, and unless he's got a lot of excess income to burn, I'd say that he's not shooting for Nat Geo if he's asking what we think of UV filter lenses.

He's probably a recreational shooter and he's not shooting L-series glass. Kind of like me. And I've no problem whatsoever using my $25 filter. I'm sure people who make living as photographers invest more, but that's their living.


There is definitely a happy medium. I use a filter when just walking around. But when I want to seriously shoot, I remove the filter. Filters can save your a$$. I think Gary will agree: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmr2048/2458544508/

Joe, my recommendation is to buy a good, but not over priced one. I'd skip the super cheap ones too. Just go mid range and be happy with it.

[jvanbrecht]

My wife just bought the D5000, and when we were looking for a filter, the guy basically took out 3 different filters and put them on a black and white image and let us pick without telling us the price of each. We pipcked the one that showed the least loss in image quality, the cheap one was not as clear as the other two, the one we ended up picking was middle of the road at about $30.

[CRAIG2]

$30 is certainly reasonable.

@ Buddylee - there's a happy medium with everything. Ignore the hype and go with what fits your needs, whatever those needs might be. If you don't do a whole lot of outdoors or landscape type stuff, I'm not sure there's much sense racking your brains over a UV filter. If you're shooting on location for National Geographic or something, maybe there is.

But, I've always got a filter on my lens (use mostly consumer level 18-55 and 75-300 lenses with a Rebel XT), and I've been pleased with my images, for the most part. Of course, iPhoto and Aperture are great programs, too. :o

[euler]

My wife just bought the D5000, and when we were looking for a filter, the guy basically took out 3 different filters and put them on a black and white image and let us pick without telling us the price of each. We pipcked the one that showed the least loss in image quality, the cheap one was not as clear as the other two, the one we ended up picking was middle of the road at about $30.

So what brand was it?

[Pinoy Rider]

Thanks for the information fellas. Next question, looking at the local stores, I have shopped at Penn Camera, any experiences with Photo Craft in Burke? Thanks,

[Buddylee]

Thanks for the information fellas. Next question, looking at the local stores, I have shopped at Penn Camera, any experiences with Photo Craft in Burke? Thanks,


Recently bought a lens from Photo Craft. Good store, small, family owned. They had what I wanted and the best price around. Their price on my lens was even better than I had found on the internet.