Do the pros use a protective filter? at DVinfo.net

Wade Hanchey · November 21st, 2006, 07:04 PM

Is it common practice to use a UV filter as a general precaution against lens damage? If so, are there any do's and dont's associated with them? Do they prohibit the use of the lens cap?

Chris Hurd · November 21st, 2006, 07:30 PM

Lou Bruno · November 21st, 2006, 07:30 PM

A UV filter can be used as a protective filter which can prevent damage to your lens by eliminating the chance of flying debris scraping the elements.

Get a good filter that is double coated. Certain UV filters are not coated and give the appearance of the inside of a coke bottle due to lack of refraction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Hanchey

Is it common practice to use a UV filter as a general precaution against lens damage? If so, are there any do's and dont's associated with them? Do they prohibit the use of the lens cap?

Jim Martin · November 21st, 2006, 07:37 PM

Yes you can use the lens cap. A UV/Haze or a clear can do the job...keep it clean as you would the lens.....AND its cheaper when you scatch a filter vs. a scatched lens.

Jim Martin

Steve Wolla · November 21st, 2006, 08:48 PM

Yes, absolutely, never shoot without one. Your cam's lens and its condition is critical to your success. Don't take a chance on being perpetually lucky.

Wade Hanchey · November 21st, 2006, 08:59 PM

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I'll make it a priority to get one asap. Thanks for the tip on using the search feature Chris. I should have tried that first.

Bill Pryor · November 21st, 2006, 09:28 PM

In the past I always kept a UV on for protection; now I leave a 1/4 Black Promist on all the time.

Jason Strongfield · November 21st, 2006, 10:03 PM

at least a hoya hmc. look on ebay, most with BIN.

Chris Hurd · November 21st, 2006, 10:11 PM

Forget Ebay -- buy one from a local photo retailer such as Ritz / Wolf Camera. Or order it from one of our site sponsors. Just don't skimp on a cheapie; that's worse than having none at all.

Peter Ferling · November 21st, 2006, 10:17 PM

Whenever you go out, always bring protection.

Charles Papert · November 21st, 2006, 10:21 PM

I'm sure this is echoed in the links that Chris thoughtfully provided, but I'll quickly answer the subject line:

"Do the pros use a protective filter?"

Depends how you define "pros"--what is often described in this forum as "Hollywood", the answer is no. But we have multiple camera assistants who are there to tend to the lenses and keep them protected under all situations--if there is a possibility of damage due to a planned situation, a clear optical flat is used. I have never seen a UV filter in use on a motion picture set.

Outside of "Hollywood", it's probably worth it to protect your personal investment with a UV filter, or fastidious use of a lens cap.

Wade Hanchey · November 21st, 2006, 10:47 PM

So far I have been careful to replace the lens cap after shooting, but to play it safe, I've put a Hoya multi-coated clear filter in my B&H wishlist.

Chris Hurd · November 21st, 2006, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Ferling

Whenever you go out, always bring protection.

Bringing protection isn't enough. You have to *use* protection. It's no good if it's left in your wallet.

Sorry to follow up in this way after such staids posts by Chas and Wade, but I couldn't resist.

Peter Ferling · November 22nd, 2006, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

Bringing protection isn't enough. You have to *use* protection. It's no good if it's left in your wallet.

Sorry to follow up in this way after such staids posts by Chas and Wade, but I couldn't resist.

LOL. That's true. If you don't use it, there can consequences.

Noel Evans · November 22nd, 2006, 09:00 AM

My summation is this. An extra piece of (cheap) glass on the end of a well made lens? Hell no. Thats fine for an interior shot etc.

Where there is risk stick something on the front. Would I choose a UV FILTER? Hell no. A UV filter has a purpose and beyond that only serves to degrade image... i.e. an interior shot. A clear filter maybe. In bright sun Im using a polariser. Interiors, nothing. If my cam is at risk for a shot I usually adjust the shot to suit. I have however shot through glass to protect a lens on a HVX, I didnt like it but you have to do what is necessary.

November 21st, 2006, 07:04 PM	#1
Wade Hanchey Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 117	Do the pros use a protective filter? Is it common practice to use a UV filter as a general precaution against lens damage? If so, are there any do's and dont's associated with them? Do they prohibit the use of the lens cap?

November 21st, 2006, 07:30 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	I just ran a search on this site for "UV filter" and came up with all these discussions you can explore: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=73267 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=27994 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=58638 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=46634 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=30369 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=29006 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=28746 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=20083 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=22718 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=951 That's ten threads to start off with; there are a lot more if you search. Of copurse these cover other cameras but the same principles apply to the XH A1. Happy reading, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

November 21st, 2006, 10:11 PM	#9
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Forget Ebay -- buy one from a local photo retailer such as Ritz / Wolf Camera. Or order it from one of our site sponsors. Just don't skimp on a cheapie; that's worse than having none at all. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

November 21st, 2006, 10:21 PM	#11
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	I'm sure this is echoed in the links that Chris thoughtfully provided, but I'll quickly answer the subject line: "Do the pros use a protective filter?" Depends how you define "pros"--what is often described in this forum as "Hollywood", the answer is no. But we have multiple camera assistants who are there to tend to the lenses and keep them protected under all situations--if there is a possibility of damage due to a planned situation, a clear optical flat is used. I have never seen a UV filter in use on a motion picture set. Outside of "Hollywood", it's probably worth it to protect your personal investment with a UV filter, or fastidious use of a lens cap. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

November 21st, 2006, 07:37 PM	#4
Jim Martin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Burbank, CA 91502 Posts: 949	Yes you can use the lens cap. A UV/Haze or a clear can do the job...keep it clean as you would the lens.....AND its cheaper when you scatch a filter vs. a scatched lens. Jim Martin

November 21st, 2006, 08:48 PM	#5
Steve Wolla Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 477	Yes, absolutely, never shoot without one. Your cam's lens and its condition is critical to your success. Don't take a chance on being perpetually lucky.

November 21st, 2006, 08:59 PM	#6
Wade Hanchey Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 117	Thanks to everyone for the replies. I'll make it a priority to get one asap. Thanks for the tip on using the search feature Chris. I should have tried that first.

November 21st, 2006, 09:28 PM	#7
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	In the past I always kept a UV on for protection; now I leave a 1/4 Black Promist on all the time.

November 21st, 2006, 10:03 PM	#8
Jason Strongfield Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA Posts: 195	at least a hoya hmc. look on ebay, most with BIN.

November 21st, 2006, 10:17 PM	#10
Peter Ferling Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wyomissing, PA Posts: 1,141 Images: 57	Whenever you go out, always bring protection.

November 21st, 2006, 10:47 PM	#12
Wade Hanchey Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 117	So far I have been careful to replace the lens cap after shooting, but to play it safe, I've put a Hoya multi-coated clear filter in my B&H wishlist.

November 22nd, 2006, 09:00 AM	#15
Noel Evans Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 157	My summation is this. An extra piece of (cheap) glass on the end of a well made lens? Hell no. Thats fine for an interior shot etc. Where there is risk stick something on the front. Would I choose a UV FILTER? Hell no. A UV filter has a purpose and beyond that only serves to degrade image... i.e. an interior shot. A clear filter maybe. In bright sun Im using a polariser. Interiors, nothing. If my cam is at risk for a shot I usually adjust the shot to suit. I have however shot through glass to protect a lens on a HVX, I didnt like it but you have to do what is necessary.