UV Filter?

[mizuno]

Just received an UV filter as a gift.
Is the purpose of the filter strictly act as a protective shield for the lens?
How does it affect picture quality? Should I be removing the filter for pictures indoors?
Thanks in advance.

[dcclark]

Yes, the purpose is to protect the front element of the lens.

Depending on the filter's quality, it may or may not affect image quality. The goal is to act as if there were nothing there -- totally clear, absorbs no light, doesn't distort the image, etc. No UV filters are perfect, but decently made ones are good enough that you wouldn't notice.

The main danger is really extra light bouncing around between the filter and the lens. That could add flare or weird reflections -- but a good multicoated UV filter shouldn't do that.

[OsmosisStudios]

UV filters *used* to cut down on ultra-violet and similar-length rays. they cast a blue haze over images. Of course, this was all on film

DIgital sensors have a UV filter on the sensor itself, so a UV filter at the front of the lens does little/nothing if it's a proper filter (good quality) and is clean. It will protect the front element well though.

[kirbinster]

See if you can return it and get a store credit for something useful. If you have a lens hood you are protected and this if anything will more likely than not just degrade your image.

[mizuno]

Originally Posted by dcclark

Yes, the purpose is to protect the front element of the lens.

Depending on the filter's quality, it may or may not affect image quality. The goal is to act as if there were nothing there -- totally clear, absorbs no light, doesn't distort the image, etc. No UV filters are perfect, but decently made ones are good enough that you wouldn't notice.

The main danger is really extra light bouncing around between the filter and the lens. That could add flare or weird reflections -- but a good multicoated UV filter shouldn't do that.

This UV filter was part of a Canon starter pack, that came with additional battery and camera case. I'm not too sure how the quality is. Would anyone be able to tell me? I believe its the standard canon 58mm UV Filter.
Thanks again!

[BCampbell]

In the vast majority of cases the filter won't affect your image quality at all.

Yep, sometimes you will get a bit of flare or reflection that you wouldn't get otherwise. If you want to see how much it affects your photos, take some test shots with and without it.

It's a cheap insurance policy. Some people are very pro-filter, some are anti. I'm not going to evangelize too much, you should make your own decision, but I use a filter on all my lenses, and the first time I cracked one I was glad it was there.