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Gary Randall · June 29th, 2009, 07:44 AM

Newbie question.

I am shooting weddings with my VX2100. Should I have a UV filter on my Cam or not? Most of the wedding are indoors, and I want to protect my lens. I noticed a small scratch in the conner of the lens. It does not show on tape, but it got me wondering about using something over my lens all the time. Do they make clear lens covers?

Thanks
Gary

Adam Gold · June 30th, 2009, 02:44 PM

Lots of debate on this, especially in the HD world. A UV filter essentially *is* a clear lens cover. I've always used them for protection but many purists insist that any extra glass will degrade your image. In the SD realm this degradation, if it exists, may not be noticeable. I consider a UV filter cheap insurance to avoid having to replace a fixed lens (which these days may be more than the cost of a new cam).

Tom Hardwick · July 10th, 2009, 10:26 AM

Gary - it might just be a mark in the coating of the VX2k's front element - have you tried using a micro-fibre cloth and giving it a careful clean? Huff on the lens and in bright sunlight go boldly. The multi-coating of modern photographic glass is pretty tough - you'd have to set out to damage it to succeed.

If it is a scratch in the element it may well be outside the 4:3 rectangle that forms the image, so you're lucky.

I guess I'm one of the 'purists' as I advise everyone to avoid using filters unless absolutely necessary. A polarizer can't be replicated in post, and if you're filming on wind-swept beaches then a UV is a good idea.

But for weddings? How accident prone are you? And think on this - Sony have already added 3 elements in front of the 12x zoom's front element (the VAP assembly) and you want to add yet another?

And a VX2k1 for weddings Gary? Are you shooting weddings in 4:3?

tom.

Gary Randall · July 11th, 2009, 10:20 AM

Thanks Tom, not a small scratch, I was able to clear it

Gary

Gary Randall · July 11th, 2009, 10:21 AM

Tom, I am shooting in 4:3

Tom Hardwick · July 11th, 2009, 03:31 PM

That's interesting Gary. Do marrying couples in VA who can afford your services come home from honeymoon and switch on an old 4:3 CRT? I ask, because I don't know the answer. Here in the UK it would be very, very unlikely to happen.

tom.

David Lewsey · July 15th, 2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Hardwick

That's interesting Gary. Do marrying couples in VA who can afford your services come home from honeymoon and switch on an old 4:3 CRT? I ask, because I don't know the answer. Here in the UK it would be very, very unlikely to happen.

tom.

A bit of deja vu here LOL

June 29th, 2009, 07:44 AM	#1
Gary Randall Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 150	Filter Newbie question. I am shooting weddings with my VX2100. Should I have a UV filter on my Cam or not? Most of the wedding are indoors, and I want to protect my lens. I noticed a small scratch in the conner of the lens. It does not show on tape, but it got me wondering about using something over my lens all the time. Do they make clear lens covers? Thanks Gary

June 30th, 2009, 02:44 PM	#2
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Lots of debate on this, especially in the HD world. A UV filter essentially is a clear lens cover. I've always used them for protection but many purists insist that any extra glass will degrade your image. In the SD realm this degradation, if it exists, may not be noticeable. I consider a UV filter cheap insurance to avoid having to replace a fixed lens (which these days may be more than the cost of a new cam).

July 10th, 2009, 10:26 AM	#3
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Gary - it might just be a mark in the coating of the VX2k's front element - have you tried using a micro-fibre cloth and giving it a careful clean? Huff on the lens and in bright sunlight go boldly. The multi-coating of modern photographic glass is pretty tough - you'd have to set out to damage it to succeed. If it is a scratch in the element it may well be outside the 4:3 rectangle that forms the image, so you're lucky. I guess I'm one of the 'purists' as I advise everyone to avoid using filters unless absolutely necessary. A polarizer can't be replicated in post, and if you're filming on wind-swept beaches then a UV is a good idea. But for weddings? How accident prone are you? And think on this - Sony have already added 3 elements in front of the 12x zoom's front element (the VAP assembly) and you want to add yet another? And a VX2k1 for weddings Gary? Are you shooting weddings in 4:3? tom.

July 11th, 2009, 10:20 AM	#4
Gary Randall Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 150	Thanks Tom, not a small scratch, I was able to clear it Gary

July 11th, 2009, 10:21 AM	#5
Gary Randall Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 150	Tom, I am shooting in 4:3

July 11th, 2009, 03:31 PM	#6
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	That's interesting Gary. Do marrying couples in VA who can afford your services come home from honeymoon and switch on an old 4:3 CRT? I ask, because I don't know the answer. Here in the UK it would be very, very unlikely to happen. tom.