lens filter

SteadyEddie

Hi all, i have recently invested in a 70-200L f/4.0 lens - which i am delighted with. I am very consious about scratching the lens so was thinking about get a clear filter. My question: does a clear filter affect the photo quality at all?

Borderfox

not that I have seen at all. Good luck with the lens thats a super sharp one, and dont forget to post up some pictures too

Fajitas!

You'll get a bunch of people saying yes it does...buy a quality one like B&W branded, and you don't have to worry about that. I'd rather have a filter on my lens any day.

Edit: That was meant to say "You'll get a bunch of people saying yes it does affect image quality"

Glowing

You could get a decent UV filter? Afaik, its okay to leave these on permanently.

Paulw

I wouldn't carry a lens without a filter. Buy a quality UV filter and you'll never notice the difference in image quality. Get a Hoya Pro or similar. They're really not that expensive, especially when you factor in the cost of a damaged lens.

leinsterman

I have Hoya pro on all lenses with the exception of my ultra wides where it would contribute to vignetting ... I'd hate to damage a lens ... but I've damaged loads of filters ...

SteadyEddie

Is this the kind of filter you guys are talking about:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/67mm-Super-Pro-1-UV-Filter/dp/B0000AI1JU/ref=pd_sbs_ce_1/026-4850512-2910826?ie=UTF8&qid=1182846470&sr=1-10

leinsterman

SteadyEddie wrote:

Is this the kind of filter you guys are talking about:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/67mm-Super-Pro-1-UV-Filter/dp/B0000AI1JU/ref=pd_sbs_ce_1/026-4850512-2910826?ie=UTF8&qid=1182846470&sr=1-10

Yes ... but don't buy from Amazon ... if you contact Albert@keaphoto.com he will quote you a far better price than this ... this is EBAY keaphoto ... but he normally does not have all the filters for sale in his EBAY shop ... so you may need ot purchase directly ...

... another option is www.2filter.com ... but be careful of VAT on these ...

SOL

Even if it did make your photos slightly less sharp it would still be worth putting one on, you'll just get your lens dirty and scratched otherwise. I mean you wouldn't go doing anything else without protection, now would you?

City-Exile

I take it you're talking about a Canon lens here, Eddie?
You've got a few options on 67mm filters and can pick up a standard UV filter here for a few quid.

Why not go for a circular polarising filter though? Your lens is perfect for one, as the front lens element doesn't rotate.

You will definitely notice a difference in your pictures but normally a positive difference.

Glowing

What differences would I see with a picture taken through a polarising filter, and one taken with a UV filter?

leakd

A polarising filter removes reflections from all sorts of things. It makes a blue sky more saturated and you can shoot through glass without seeing any reflections, if you turn it the right way round. I was advised to only use it in daylight though, because it's essentially "sunglasses" for a lens. Read here for a great introduction on polarising filters and here for a general introduction to buying filters.

If you only want to protect the lens, go with a UV filter. Polarising filters might not be the right thing for you for having on the lens all the time (IMHO).

City-Exile

Glowing wrote:

What differences would I see with a picture taken through a polarising filter, and one taken with a UV filter?

Read this...

SteadyEddie

thanks for all your help and advice, much appreciated!