Filter and preference question

[idratherplaytennis]

This may or may not have been a debate that's been beaten to death, and I couldn't think of the right search terms to isolate exactly the question I'm looking for without sifting through thousands of results so please forgive me if I strike a nerve with someone- but I had a couple of questions on filters.

First off, I'm not a pro but in that medium between pro and novice, somewhat intermediate, but with a flare for photography which I picked up studying architecture and design. Anyways- that's a little background on me, and I've been shooting roughly 4-5 years on a 20D with non-L lenses, however I just purchased and am expecting shipment of a 5D3 with the 24-105L lens (took me roughly 3 years of debate between the 105 or 24-70 but I just decided to buy the 24-70 later on in a few years when the Mark II comes down in price, hopefully). I'm very careful with my gear, but accidents do happen, as I dropped a 12-24 Tokina with a filter once in a freak accident, the filter shattering and the lens being safe. Shoot full Manual 90-100% of the time, never auto. Hopefully that's a good enough background for those who would like to know before answering questions as I've found it helps.

I have recently found out through a different forum post in regards to the 5D3 and some off topic banter that there is a difference of opinion in the community of using lens filters or not, and would like some clarification on the matter. I saw a video of a nifty 50 1.8 being beat to death with a hammer and no issues coming of it, but I put little faith in that when it comes to a $1000+ lens. In my experience, some of the cheapest things made today, can take the world's biggest beating but it's the pricey stuff that can't. I just wanted to know what the advantages and drawbacks were of using filters on L-glass or your more expensive lenses. I only have the 24-105 on the way and a Canon 1.4 50 as far as my expensive ones go, but am looking to potentially expand into some nice primes later on.

I do understand it boils down to a personal preference, I read arguments about if the lens filter shatters, it could scratch the main lens' glass, but I've also heard other pros swear by it that it has protected glass on occasion where the lens was dropped, the shattering of glass turned out to just be the filter and saved the lens. So I guess my real question is- what is your personal preference and why, and what is the preference of the people you know and admire?

Up until now I was determined to head out to my local Samy's Camera once my 5D3 arrived to get the filter (and potentially show it off.. hahaha) because I've always heard you should always have one but I wasn't sure which one I should get which led me to finding out about this debate. Now I'm back to square one in lens knowledge it seems, HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!!!! :-[

 

[Spooky]

I personally keep a UV filter on my lenses, primarily as insurance against moisture and dust as I shoot near the sea and in rainy conditions. I'm probably a bit paranoid about unnecessary cleaning the front element. My 17-40 is not weather sealed unless there is a filter on it, not that I would let it intentionally get wet. You can always temporarily remove the filter for that 'ultimate' shot! and you can always replace the filter should it get damaged. I usually spend middle of the road for these filters, don't get cheapies for your L lenses but I don't think you'll see the benefits of the most expensive ones, if there are any!

 

[KreutzerPhotography]

I dont use filters on either of my L lenses. But when I am shooting in conditions that could ruin my gear (Rain/Snow/Sand etc) I will throw one on just for protection. I sent my wife to Jamaica with an XTi w/28-135mm and I tossed a UV filter so she couldnt lose my lens cap (and so it is always ready to shoot) But I wont leave a filter on it during a normal session.

 

[idratherplaytennis]

Thanks for the responses guys. I do live in a very dusty area, and having 3 dogs in the house doesn't help so that's another reason I'm tempted to just get the medium priced UV filters. That and I am not a pro- in that I just shoot for enjoyment and family memories mostly, not to make money of shots although I might look into it one day and would like to slowly (as I am doing) accrue the equipment necessary for said endeavor. I'll probably just head out and grab one. Plus, it would make cleaning less of a headache with all this dust in So Cal... I mean, heck, it used to be a desert... And like KreutzerPhoto said, take it off if I want a perfect as it was meant to be shot with lens shoot.

 

[Loswr]

...I'm tempted to just get the medium priced UV filters...

Don't. Get B+W MRC UV or Hoya Pro-1 UV or clear. A cheap or mid-range UV filter is worse than no filter.

Personally, I have B+W filters on all my lenses. Protection issues aside, they make lens cleaning much easier (Canon's newest lenses feature a fluorine coating on the exposed elements, but without that coating the MRC coat of the B+W filters is much easier to clean).

 

[Random Orbits]

...I'm tempted to just get the medium priced UV filters...

Don't. Get B+W MRC UV or Hoya Pro-1 UV or clear. A cheap or mid-range UV filter is worse than no filter.

Personally, I have B+W filters on all my lenses. Protection issues aside, they make lens cleaning much easier (Canon's newest lenses feature a fluorine coating on the exposed elements, but without that coating the MRC coat of the B+W filters is much easier to clean).

+1. Plus some lenses need a front filter to complete the "weather" sealing, and it's much easier to scratch the lens coating than actually breaking the front element. Even though coating/front element scratches might not affect the lens' performance, it would affect its resale value.

 

[peederj]

I would appreciate a few credible cites demonstrating the value of more expensive filters over the _current generation_ of cheaper ones _available in the market_. I'm sure you can cherry pick bad ones that have been withdrawn as straw men.

 

[EvilTed]

I'm in the "always" camp and use B+W mainly but I have been known to purchase Hoya Multi Coated ones for cheaper, smaller lenses.

L series lenses require a filter to get their weather sealed rating.

ET

 

[idratherplaytennis]

...I'm tempted to just get the medium priced UV filters...

Don't. Get B+W MRC UV or Hoya Pro-1 UV or clear. A cheap or mid-range UV filter is worse than no filter.

Personally, I have B+W filters on all my lenses. Protection issues aside, they make lens cleaning much easier (Canon's newest lenses feature a fluorine coating on the exposed elements, but without that coating the MRC coat of the B+W filters is much easier to clean).

Hehehe. I got lucky I guess. I talked to the wonderful lady at Samy's camera saying I didn't want the cheapest, or the most expensive, just a middle of the line one- and she pulled out two HOYA's, and I went with the more expensive of the two, which she said was more for digital only, etc, and looking at it now, as it turns out- it's a Pro1 Digital

I need to do a little better cleanup tomorrow morning on the filter when I get up and find my lens cleaning stuff because I saw what looked like a fingerprint or smear on it when I put it on this evening or something maybe, residual residue from the packing it was in (bought new, not returned) to double check. The next day or so is going to be filled with lots of sample shots with both that lens and my 50 1.4 to check if my 5DM3 is a dud or not and the same for the sharpness of the lens. Petrified having to deal with customer support if my camera or lens shows up as soft :-[

 

[Spooky]

I'd be surprised to find marks on a fresh filter. The Hoya Pro1 is exactly what I meant by middle of the road, I reckon these are good enough quality without spending ££s, each to their own though... If you can afford the kit, then why skimp on the filters, but I do see them as removable and expendable.

 

[YellowJersey]

For landscapes I very frequently use a circular polarizer, particularly for later in the day shooting. Usually, I don't use it pre-sunrise or post-sunset since you lose so much light, although if I'm by the sea then it does make for a nifty makeshift ND filter to get a long exposure.

I also just got my hands on the Lee graduated ND filter set... rather keen to get out and give them a try.