Is purchasing a UV filter a good idea?

[RKEnnis]

I put UV filters on most of my lenses. I typically buy B+W filters, and while they aren't cheap, they are worth it to me for the peace of mind. I'm especially bad at keeping track of lens caps, so having a lens filter on is a plus in that regard.

It's strange to see this thread today... Just this morning, I was walking around shooting some urban candids with my Sigma 70-200 on the camera. That lens takes a 77mm filter, and I have a B+W on it. The glass element in the filter is slightly loose, so it occasionally rattles. No biggie... Today it was rattling a bit more than usual, but I didn't really pay attention.

Unfortunately, in this case it was rattling (I guess) because it was almost completely unscrewed. So I'm walking along, and my B+W filter falls off the lens, hits the sidewalk, and rolls underneath a Suburban parked at the curb. Naturally, it came to a stop DEAD CENTER under the vehicle. No way was I leaving it there, but I couldn't reach it.

Next thing you know, I'm laying on my belly in the gutter, downtown lunch crowd streaming by, straining to reach far enough under the Suburban to reach the filter. I finally got it by using my water bottle to extend my reach a couple more inches, so I could drag it to where I could reach it. But I did recover it, and it was none the worse for the wear (still rattles though).

Isn't life a trip sometimes?

[venchka]

Believe EYERYTHING that you read on the Internet. Even what you read here.

[RKEnnis]

Originally Posted by venchka

Believe EYERYTHING that you read on the Internet. Even what you read here.

What, my story was a bit far fetched for you? I swear it's true... :)

[Some Idiot]

Originally Posted by venchka

Believe EYERYTHING that you read on the Internet.

If you say so

[Cope]

I use Hoya Pro1 Digital clear protectors on all of my lenses, and the same line of circular polarizers. These are thin filters, but are threaded for a lens cap. Besteastern/Maxsaver has pretty good deals on these as does a company in the US whose name escapes me.

[venchka]

It was just one of those days. I think my fingers exceeded the sync speed of my brain.
Remind me to avoid filter discussions in the future.
For the record: I bought my mid 50s vintage Nikkor 50/1.4 in the mid-70s from the widow of the original owner. It came with a Nikon skylight filter on it. The filter looked like somebody had cleaned it with a Brillo pad. The front element behind the filter looked new. I replaced the skylight filter with a UV filter. Both still look like new today. I kept the Nikon filter as a reminder.
Y'all have fun.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by RKEnnis

What, my story was a bit far fetched for you? I swear it's true... :)

I would have done the same thing. Probably have done the same thing. Glad all is well with the filter.

[surlynkid]

I only have L glass. I am not going to put a cheap piece of UV glass on the end of an L lens. I have never scratched a lens in 30 years. I am not willing to sacrifice the L quality. The only filter I will use is a circular polarizing filter. I have a 77mm one from canon.

[brad]

Why put a UV filter on it? Accidents happen.


However, insurance won't degrade the quality of your image like a UV filter will.

[Richard DeYoung]

The value of a UV filter is 2 fold, 1 to protect the lens and 2ndly to cut through the haze. The later became apparent to me when phtographing out of a small plane. Without the filter the haze was bad. With the filter the haze is gone.

[cjw]

A friend dropped is 100-400 lens the first day of a safari in Africa. The UV filter shattered. The lens wasn't even scratched. He was sure happy he had a filter. Shooting for 3 weeks with a 400 2.8 as your only lens would have been heart breaking.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by cjw

A friend dropped is 100-400 lens the first day of a safari in Africa. The UV filter shattered. The lens wasn't even scratched. He was sure happy he had a filter. Shooting for 3 weeks with a 400 2.8 as your only lens would have been heart breaking.

I could think of worse things happening than to be stuck with only one of the best lenses made.

[cjw]

Haha, that is a great lens (although a little heavy) but not very versatile when your feet can't zoom for you. Unless you want to be a lion's next meal. :)