UV filters ?

[nan156]

Will having a UV filter on the lens make sunset photos less colorful?

[kvbarkley]

It might cause more flare and distortion, but the colors you are trying for in a sunset are closer to IR than UV.

Usually muted colors are caused by over-exposure.

[nan156]

sorry dummy here what is IR? I am using auto mode

[kvbarkley]

Infrared, the spectrum below visible light. UV is above the spectrum of visible light.

[kvbarkley]

You might want to try sunset mode if your camera has it, or put in about -1 exposure compensation. You might have to be in P mode for this.

[RobertTheFat]

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@nan156 wrote:

Will having a UV filter on the lens make sunset photos less colorful?

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No, but neither will it have any beneficial effect. There's not much UV light in a sunset.

[ebiggs1]

Depending on the quality of the UV filter, it may have none or it could be a real bummer.

A high quality UV filter (i.e. B+W for example) will have so little effect you will be hard pressed to ever see it.  Impossible at normal viewing.

Now for the correct answer.  Try it both ways.  Shoot with filter and remember it comes off.  So try it without. Second bracket your exposures.  Go two stops under, right on and two stops over.  Then simply select the one you like best viewing on your computer.  Delete the others.

[ebiggs1 · Accepted solution]

On film cameras it was necessary to use a UV filter because the film is sensitive to UV light. However, DSLRs are generally  insensitive to UV, so the problem doesn't exixt to anything like it did.

They are great for protection of th front element.  Would you rather clean you expensive front lens element or a replaceable UV filter?