Newbie question: filters

[bribears]

I have read on here a few times where people tell newbie DSLR owners to get filters to protect their camera lenses. Don't "filters" change the way the photo looks? What other protection devices are recommended?

[Elmo]

IMHO adding a protection filter generally degrades image quality. I will use one when lens is going to be exposed to hazards such as water spray or blowing sand, otherwise I leave it off. On the other hand a lens hood will offer some protection in impact situations and will generally improve image quality by reducing flair.

[OsmosisStudios]

What most people use for protection are 81A or UV filters: both are essentially transparent and are used on a dSLR purely to protect the front element of the lens. It's a good idea if you're going to be in a situation where things may be coming at you unexpectedly (sports, photojournalism) but arent really much good for anything else. You'll hear both camps chime in, im sure.

Other filters are designed to affect the image, but those are for effects, not protection.

If youre looking for other things to help with both image quality and protection, a lens hood is a great place to start.