Lens Filters

[conor5150]

I was told today that I should get a lens filter for my Nikon D60 , it'e the kit lens 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR.

Now I was told to get primarily as protection for the lens itself from dust.dirt. Does that make sense?

Should I get one anyway , should I get a lens hood too?

Could you also advice me on what make I should get , looking at a budget price here....I guess $20 - 30 range.


Conor

[LoveMyRebel]

Whatever you do, stay away from Targus brand!

I recently got two Targus filters as a gift and decided to try them rather than hurt someone's feelings. The one had defective threading and I did not know this until I had it removed at a camera shop. However, in my efforts to remove it myself I had stripped the gears in my 75-300mm. I contacted the company in an effort to get them to cover a portion of the replacement/repair cost and in dealin with the company was shocked at how little they knew about lenses. They said they would have one of their techs repair my lens, but after their email asking me to take a photo of the stripped gears I decided that I was not going to let them near my lens!!

[LoveDSLR]

Hoya (HMC) & Tiffen UV for consumer lenses; B+W & Rodenstock UV for $$K lenses.

[Doug Pardee]

Whether or not to use a "protective" filter is a long-standing, continuously raging argument. Me, I'm on the "no filter" side.

If you do buy a filter, make it a good one (coated optics). Uncoated filters do not mix well with digital sensors. You'll lose contrast and—in some cases where there are bright spots or areas of light within the frame—get "ghost" images of those bright spots.

[conor5150]

Thanks for the advice. I bought a cleaning kit instead. If I really don't understand what a filter can do to the pictures I take then I certainly don't need to have one for protection purposes.

[AlphaBjerke]

Originally Posted by Doug Pardee

Whether or not to use a "protective" filter is a long-standing, continuously raging argument. Me, I'm on the "no filter" side.

If you do buy a filter, make it a good one (coated optics). Uncoated filters do not mix well with digital sensors. You'll lose contrast and—in some cases where there are bright spots or areas of light within the frame—get "ghost" images of those bright spots.

I would definitely make sure you get one that is "multi-coated." If you are buying online, it is often hard to tell if it is a quality filter or not. I would definitely check with someone here before you waste money on an inferior filter like I did. I even called the Hoya people to find out exactly what part numbers and designations are on the good filters. For Hoya, if it is "G" series, don't touch it, it's junk. Any part number that starts with "B" is still not too hot. If the part number begins with "A," that is what you want. There are other designations, but as long as you avoid the "B" and the "G" in Hoya, you should have multi-coated.

It is silly to put a poor filter on your lens.

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by AlphaBjerke

I would definitely make sure you get one that is "multi-coated."

Good point. I didn't even know Hoya still makes non "multi-coated" filters.

[yolanda_b]

I've read to get a simple UV filter just as protection from bumps and knocks. It protects against scratches and means you can leave off the lens cap while running around taking random shots. I think they should just make clear ones! At any rate I like the idea and put one on all my lenses. I haven't noticed any degradation of image but I'm really too novice to have the discernment. i'd rather not have to replace a scratched lens.

[Rolling Stone]

I got a cheap muti-coated UV filter for my lens. I'd rather pay another $25 for another filter than $600 for a lens. And it works fine.

[LoveDSLR]

Here is another reason to use a filter. Quote from Canon site on EF50mm f/1.2L USM:

"By utilizing dust- and moisture-resistant construction (Fig. 3) in the lens mount, switch panel and focusing ring to prevent dust and water from reaching the interior, the lens can be used in harsh environments.
*This applies when the lens is used with a dust- and moisture-resistant EOS body and a filter is attached to the front of the lens."