Exp comp flashing with UV filter?

[faeriegodess612]

So I felt like such an idiot yesterday. I found the nearest Wolf Camera store, and was thinking that I needed a new filter, cuz when I looked at mine, it looked like it was a female filter, and my lens is too. ( female threads on inside, male threads on outside, just in case I confused anyone. ) So I walked in there, told the guy I was looking for filters. Had my camera bag with me as well. So, I told him my problem, pulled out the filter and my camera to show him what I meant, he looks at it, and screws the filter right onto the lens. I was like . How did you do that!?! I'd looked at that thing for god knows how long, and didnt see the threads on the other side! I felt like such an idiot, but the guy was nice, and was telling me about what I could find there, and gave me a few pamphlets.

So I drive back home and I'm playing around with my camera in Aperture Priority mode that night, just playing with the settings to get to know what they do, since Aperture seems to be the hardest thing to learn. As I'm sitting in the floor taking shot after shot of a candle holder, I notice that the Exposure comp is constantly flashing. Feature of my camera, to let you know that it needs to be changed. ( Not sure if all do that. ) So I try changing it stop by stop in different directions. While I learned what a difference it makes, it didnt stop it from flashing. So I took the filter off to see if that was the issue, sure enough, that stopped the flashing. So, I've read all the things about filter vs. no filter and degradation of the image quality. I havent tried using the filter in outdoor situations yet, so I dont know if it does the same thing outdoors. I know I've read somewhere on here that it shouldnt affect anything that much indoors, but makes the most difference outdoors, and basically just to use it when I need it. I was thinking of that whole protecting the lens thing. I'm wondering if thats just what I should do, or skip the filter all together? It was a cheap one I guess. It's a Zeikos filter. Just to get an idea of what it can do. I'll buy something on the cheaper realm, to get a feel for it, then upgrade if I need to, but ONLY with certain things.

Sorry for this being so long,...havent been able to post because of the server problems. I did mange to get a few ok pictures of one of our cats while laying in the floor blinding him with my flash. lol

[WooD]

I have B+W multi coated UV filters on all my lens except my 50mm.

I've used them in natural light, with 3 studio lights, and on one shoot 12 speedlights. Never had a problem.

Yes I have done tests with, and without the filters to see if I could see any difference, and I couldn't.

[jml79]

Are you sure you have a UV filter and not a Polarizer? Just asking because what you are describing sounds more like a polarizer. A UV filter should be clear, no tint, nothing. Like a perfect window. A polarizer will look more like a sunglass lens.

A polarizer will reduce the light hitting your lens by up to 2 stops where a UV filter should make almost no difference at all on or off.

[kirbinster]

The filter should have no effect what-so-ever. While a CP filter will require and extra stop or stop and a half of light, the camera will automatically compensate for this. I think what you are seeing is that the camera is telling you that you don't have enough light based on your current settings. I just picked up my D5000 and notice that the exp comp and flash indicator flash when I look through it while metering with the lens cap on. In your case you are most likely just getting a reading indicating you should use flash or shoot at a slower speed to get a correct exposure for the f/stop you have picked.

[faeriegodess612]

It's not a polarizer. Its a UV, the package says so, and it does look like a piece of clear glass.

Kirb- The low light had crossed my mind, as I was just sitting in the floor in my living room with just two table lamps on, and our carpet is a denim blue. I wasnt trying to take anything substantial, just playing. But I was using my flash, and even with the flash up, the exp comp would still flash. And that doesnt make much sense as why it would stop after I took the filter off. I havent played around with it much more, since today I had to work 12-8, and went to get groceries after work. I might tomorrow though. I did notice that when I had the camera pointed at the floor that the exp comp would flash with the filter off. I'll play around with it some more, and keep you updated.

[sk66]

I don't think exposure compensation flashing indicates it "needs changed". It's telling you you have exposure compensation dialed in. If the exposure is off and needed changed I would expext the exposure meter or warning indicator to flash/illuminate.

I'm willing to bet it's not the filter...put the filter on with your camera in auto and see if the determined exposure changes (filteron/off).
I'm guessing what happened is when you were using the filter you had the popup flash open and the flash exposure comp was flashing because you had it set to something other than 0...When you removed the filter you also left the flash down and didn't get the flash exposure comp.

[kirbinster]

It is indeed indicating not enough light for the current setting. As a test try metering with the lens cap on, it will do the exact same thing.

[OsmosisStudios]

Not to be pedantic, but did you bother trying the same shot WITHOUT the filter? That should have indicated whether the filter was the issue

[faeriegodess612]

sk66- I tried moving up and down, and it still did it. Tried Auto, and it still did it.

Os- Yes, I did actually. Tried changing the settings in a few areas, even tried changing the WB.

To update,...I think it was just cause I was sitting in a room without enough light to begin with. I just tried it in our computer room, which is brighter, with the filter on and it didnt do it. When I pointed the camera at my black pants it started to flash. So I guess its just if there isnt enough light or if what its pointed at is dark. I wasnt hugely concerned about it, it was more just Hmmm? It would seem I have it figured out now. But thanks for helping me try to figure it out guys.