uv filter for protection

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I was wondering if anyone uses a UV filter for protection of the lens. And what this would do with metering.

-- Raven (mtand13@netreach.net), January 07, 2001

Answers

Response to uv filter

Raven,

I do not use a UV filter on my 4x5 nor on my 35 mm. I work under the assumption that the lens was designed without a filter in the optical path, and so do not use one unless it is required by the light. There are a few exceptions to this in the 35 mm world (e.g., some high speed telephoto lenses and ultra wide angle lenses are designed to have a filter in the optical path), but no 4x5 lens of which I am aware is so designed.

That being said, I would consider using a UV filter if I had no plan to use other filters when working downwind from breaking surf. With spray in the air, it's a certainty that the outermost piece of glass or plastic will have to be cleaned before the shutter is tripped. I'd rather wipe salt water from an inexpensive UV filter than from the front element of one of my lenses.

No exposure correction is needed when using a UV filter.

Bruce

-- Bruce M. Herman (bherman@gci.net), January 08, 2001.


Response to uv filter

Raven, there are certain situations where a UV filter might be very helpful. If you are shooting out on open waters or at very high altitudes where there is a higher level of UV than at ground level and with ordinary subjects, a UV filter will help to prevent over exposure (film is pretty sensitive to UV) and overly blue results as well, in the case of using color transparency material. Most other times, being a b&w guy, I'm using a filter to darken the sky or lighten the foliage anyway and yellow, yellow-green, orange and red filters tend to trap UV very well all on their own. When I'm out in the dunes at daybreak, I always use a yellow filter to darken the shadow areas (high UV there is a certainty) and so my lens is already protected against blowing sand (although the shuter is not!)

-- Robert A. Zeichner (info@razeichner.com), January 08, 2001.

Response to uv filter

There's a B+W 010 UV filter on every one of my LF lenses. Since I rarely use other filters, it's not a problem having to take them on and off on those occasions when I do. There is no difference in metering with my Zone VI modified Pentax digital spot meter and T-Max films under any environmental conditions. With other meters, films and/or filters, you'd have to test for metering differences yourself.

-- Sal Santamaura (bc_hill@qwestinternet.net), January 08, 2001.

Response to uv filter

Raven, The main reason for using a UV filter on the front of a lens would be for protecting the front element of the lens, as was stated above it is less expensive to replace a good UV filter than it would be to replace a good lens. And its effect on exposure is so small you should not have to worry about. I don't use a filter on my 4x5 equipment, because I treat the lenses as if they were made gold. They're either in a protective wrap or securely mounted to the camera on a tripod. Also I use any number of gels/polyester filters for interiors and they are much quicker to work and do not want or need an additional filter in the way.

However, with all my 35mm/medium format lenses I have filters. This provides an extra measure of security in case they are dropped or bumped. This has saved me once, and several other people I know. The filter has taken most of the impact, and either broken the glass or damaged the threads, which be next to impossible to replace/repair if it were the lens.

Tom

-- Tom Percival (envisionphoto@yahoo.com), January 08, 2001.


Response to uv filter

Raven, Where are you planning to be when shooting? If you are walking around with a couple of $700.00+ lenses or if you reach for your T shirt before you even think about lens tissue I would say yes get a GOOD UV filter. Check out the B+Ws. They are expensive but they are solid and do not give you a color cast on transparencies. If you are goind to do inside/studio work or are very anal on lens cleaning why bother with one. Also choose your filters wisely. For example I got a half dozen calumet/hoya filters for my photojournalist wife {who doesn't even own a lens cap} for X Mas. They are great cheap throw away protection for the little bumps and she never notices the slight greenish cast because she always uses neg film.

Hope this helps John

-- john (dogspleen@juno.com), January 08, 2001.



Response to uv filter

I only use a UV filter if I really want to filter out UV. I don't use it for lens protection.

-- William Marderness (wmarderness@hotmail.com), January 09, 2001.

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