UV Filter when Shooting?
 

Just wondering if any of you use UV filters to protect your lenses and how it affects quality.

I've never used them on my lenses for video, but am curious what others do.

Thanks!
Dave

Re: UV Filter when Shooting?
 

There's been substantial discussion on this and some searches will reveal them. One line of thinking is to use them from the moment they come out of the box because replacing a filter is cheaper than ruining a lens. The opposing view is that lenses are more hardy that people give them credit for being and there are situations where the extra glass negatively affects the image. Personally, I used to subscribe to the former until I educated myself on lenses and witnessed the effectiveness of a Lens Pen. I no longer use UV filters unless I'm putting the camera in a situation where dust and debris is blown about by wind or the velocity of the camera. I also have a lens pen in my pocket and it's a snap to touch up the lens between shots if needed (filming children in 3rd world countries inevitably results in a fingerprint or two). YMMV

EDIT: When filming outdoors in crowds and safari situations, a polarizer gives a measure of protection while positively enhancing the image so it's far less of a negative albeit you lose a stop of light (but you are outside...)

Re: UV Filter when Shooting?
 

Thanks Les. That's very helpful, and along the lines of what I'd read elsewhere.

How bad does the flying dust have to get before you put on your UV filter? And which brand filter do you use (B+W seem popular but costly).

Re: UV Filter when Shooting?
 

Personally, I have found that the C100 (and probably the c300) are a bit sensitive to UV light. Shoot someone without makeup on who is over 40 and you'll see more "character" in the skin than with the naked eye, at least with daylight-balanced artificial light. Popping a UV filter on brings the skin back to a more natural look, although it's a matter of taste.

Re: UV Filter when Shooting?
 

What?!?

Please post an example.

Re: UV Filter when Shooting?
 

It's like, how bad is the wind going to be? you can never tell. Use B+W or other similar name brand filters, buy once cry once :)

We shoot aircraft shows outdoors and always leave the B+W UV filters on all the cameras all the time. I've had dust and grit come down, then it rained.

But for indoor interview work, once the cam is setup, the UV might come off.

We never use polarizors because once you pan the camera, you lose the pol effect and intercutting with other views from other cams,
we'd get different shades of blue sky. Yep +1 for the Lens Pen.

Cheers.

Re: UV Filter when Shooting?
 

Gets pretty dusty here in small town Guatemala when the wind picks up (not gale force but probably 20-30 MPH), but never thought about the UV filter. Lenses have been fine so far, but maybe I've just been lucky. Sounds like a good investment before the next hurricane season though ...

Thanks all.

Re: UV Filter when Shooting?
 

I use B+W whenever I can afford it. I put it on for anything 10mph or more. The issue Allan cites about polarizers doesn't apply when you only have a single camera. IMHO, a great sky is well worth it even if another shot is at an angle that can't be filtered. My work has been in areas of the world with very bright sunlight, I expect the skies will look different at different angles without polarizers too.

Re: UV Filter when Shooting?
 

Guys having said I don't use polarizors, I bumped across this bit .. had to link it :) ..

Polarizing Filters: Powerful Filmmaking Tools | Hurlbut Visuals

Cheers.

Re: UV Filter when Shooting?
 

Film people generally use an 85 conversion filter all time when shooting exteriors with tungsten stock. Others use massive filter packs to create the images they want. It really depends on what you want to achieve.

If the front element is in danger or where you can expect the unexpected (eg news), you should protect it.

Re: UV Filter when Shooting?
 

+1. Awesome link.

Re: UV Filter when Shooting?
 

I gave up on the Lens Pens when I discovered the Zeiss Lens Wipes:


I found it took awhile to clean with the Lens Pens and I wasn't able to get the smudges completely removed. Maybe my technique was lacking, but I found the lens wipes are faster and leave your lens cleaner. I have a ziplock bag with about 20 or 30 of them I keep in my camera bag and stick a few in my pocket while shooting.