I just bought a almost brand new 200/4 zuiko a few days ago,and the
salesman was kind enpugh to throw in a hoya(hmc) skylight filter to go with
it.I told him that I don't use filters on all my lenses and he got a shock.He
said "Sir,this lens is too good to be bash and I think it is a good idea to
have one in front of the lens element in case you accidentally scratch it!"
Well,I think he is quite right and I think this is one of the most
favourite question/dilemmas facing everyone of us everyday.
Do you really need UV/Skylight filters?I think they are just marketing
idea.The often cited reasons for having them are to cut out UV light and
protect the front lens element.I don't know of anyone who specifically wants UV
light in any photograph so why don't lenses have the necessary coating to
prevent UV light in the first place?
No doubt,the glass of our lenses absorbs a good deal of the UV light,as
does the cement between grouped elements.The coating may also have a function
in suppressing UV light transmission ,but I don't know whether is this an
explicit design consideration for coatings.I shoot most of my photograph at or
even below sea level,where UV light levels are relatively low.Therefore I don't
bother with UV filters .A UV filter can be useful though at higher
altitudes,where UV light levels are much higher.
Well I never found a difference in the image quality with and without
filters,sometimes I did find a image degradation in the form of unsharpness or
filter flare.Cheap filters,Rodenstock filters,B+W filters ,they all affect the
image under these conditions.
The idea of protecting the front lens elements is also pretty weak.Having
another glass element just adds to the number of surfaces that can cause flare
or vignetting.I can see a use for a filter when it would prevent dust from
gaining access to the inside of the lens if the front element moves during
focusing,but imaging you buy the most expensive lens that you afford and then
find yourself screrwing a 10~20dollars filters in front of it.Hmm.. come to
think of it, why can't the front lens element be coated with some scratch
proof material that will last forever?
In practice I never bother with protective filters.So far I've never damaged
the glass of a lens and I consider myself an average user,not careless but also
not extremely careful.
So what do you guys think?Did you ever come across any camera/lens maker that
strongly recommend the use of a protective filters on their lenses?
(it is scorching hot here in singapore 30-33 degree celcius and humidity is
about 70-85% as contrast with being shower with snow in north america/canada!)
Jonathan Tan
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