Another strike against UV filters
- Thread starter mifho
- Start date
AcutancePhotography said:Sporgon said:It's always seemed to me that if 'protecting' the front element was a genuine requirement the likes of Canon would be pleased to supply something suitable.
And they don't .
Why would you think that? Once you pay Canon for the lens, why would they really care? They make money off of repairing lenses and selling lenses.
Canon does not currently provide protection for the front element and it does not seem to adversly affect their sales of lenses.
Ah but Canon now provides flourine coatings on almost all of their newer L lenses and should be standard fare going forward. IMHO, the flourine coating obsoletes the need for any additional glass in front. The argument for using one in case you drop the lens is a moot point. If you spend 3000.00 on a lens you should take care of it. period. No excuses for dropping it....really.
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Isn't that a bit like throwing out the baby with the bathwater? That's a really unfortunate drop, but only carelessness would have let your lens roll off the table. I shoot most days of the year in all sorts of physical environments and experience has taught me that when push comes to shove, UV or protective filters are a good idea, primarily for their protective function. I've smashed filters in biffs that would have either damaged the front element, or at the very least damaged the filter thread. I'm always with a hood for the same reason. They make great shock absorbers.mifho said:
Filters also offer the real-world option of cleaning the dust/dirt/water/smear/sludge that will inevitably land on the front element from time to time with your t-shirt, tie, facial tissue, spare sock or whatever without having an anxiety attack about damaging the front element. Give it a good quick scrub and keep shooting.
I routinely replace the UV/protective filters every 3-4 years or sooner if they're showing that unmistakable patina of fine scratches.
-pw
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funny this thread has come up, I've installed UV filters and kept lens hoods attached to my lens religiously for 10 years often wondering why exactly but I don't make money from my photography so have always felt slightly more cautious about my equipment.
Last month I bought a 24-70 Mk II which was a huge sweat enducing sum of money for me and the UV filter was quite expensive and I ummmed and ahhhed but went with it anyway. I was on holiday and hadn't got round to insuring the lens but went out with my new lens anyway as I have never damaged a lens before in my life.
The next morning I was walking along the street and the lens hood fell off and shattered on the floor, oh well its just plastic, but then literally 15 minutes later in the hotel hobby I dropped something on the floor and crouched down in a twisting motion with enough momentum to send my heavy camera, lens first swinging into the corner of a marble desk. Crunch.
Heart stopping moment for sure but by a miracle the impact on the UV filter was enough to stop the momentum of the swing and the actual lens was completely unscathed. The UV filter cracked and I had to replace it with another £70 filter but rather that than £1500!
Last month I bought a 24-70 Mk II which was a huge sweat enducing sum of money for me and the UV filter was quite expensive and I ummmed and ahhhed but went with it anyway. I was on holiday and hadn't got round to insuring the lens but went out with my new lens anyway as I have never damaged a lens before in my life.
The next morning I was walking along the street and the lens hood fell off and shattered on the floor, oh well its just plastic, but then literally 15 minutes later in the hotel hobby I dropped something on the floor and crouched down in a twisting motion with enough momentum to send my heavy camera, lens first swinging into the corner of a marble desk. Crunch.
Heart stopping moment for sure but by a miracle the impact on the UV filter was enough to stop the momentum of the swing and the actual lens was completely unscathed. The UV filter cracked and I had to replace it with another £70 filter but rather that than £1500!
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My father's life was saved because he did not wear a seatbelt.
When he was a young man, he spun his '55 T-bird into a ditch. He was ejected and broke his arm. The steering wheel went through the driver's seat... If he had been wearing a seatbelt, he would have been killed.
To this day, my father always wears a seatbelt. Why? Because he knows that despite that one instance, wearing a seatbelt is the odd on favourite for staying safe.
I use the same logic when it comes to protective filters.
When he was a young man, he spun his '55 T-bird into a ditch. He was ejected and broke his arm. The steering wheel went through the driver's seat... If he had been wearing a seatbelt, he would have been killed.
To this day, my father always wears a seatbelt. Why? Because he knows that despite that one instance, wearing a seatbelt is the odd on favourite for staying safe.
I use the same logic when it comes to protective filters.
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