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UV filters ?

nan156
Enthusiast

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

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

ebiggs1
Legend
Legend

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?

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!

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7 REPLIES 7

kvbarkley
VIP
VIP

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.

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

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

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.


@nan156 wrote:

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


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

Bob
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

ebiggs1
Legend
Legend

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.

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!

ebiggs1
Legend
Legend

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?

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!
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