Recommendations for lens filters and beyond

[Ramsden]

Hi folks 

Following my post on photography on a train journey, a few of you recommended I get  CPL lens filters to avoid glare. Quick check of my kit and unsurprisingly, they're weren't any! 

Apart from one (photo attached) my filters are all  the UV type.

So a few related questions.

1) do you experienced guys carry a few filters and change them as the situation alters? If so could you please share some best practice.

2) are there any 'does and don'ts' when using filters? If so, what are they?

3) some of my filters appear to be stuck in the lens, which I suspect is the aluminum thread oxidised into the lens thread. So any advice on how to prevent this happening, as I've always been warey of applying substances to my camera.

4) and finaly, what is the filter in the photograph as I can't remember buying it and for what purpose. I suspect it was for landscape shots at sunrise or sunset

Thanks as ever 

Ramsden 

 

[jrhoffman75]

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@Ramsden wrote:

Hi folks 

Following my post on photography on a train journey, a few of you recommended I get  CPL lens filters to avoid glare. Quick check of my kit and unsurprisingly, they're weren't any! 

Apart from one (photo attached) my filters are all  the UV type.

So a few related questions.

1) do you experienced guys carry a few filters and change them as the situation alters? If so could you please share some best practice.

2) are there any 'does and don'ts' when using filters? If so, what are they?

3) some of my filters appear to be stuck in the lens, which I suspect is the aluminum thread oxidised into the lens thread. So any advice on how to prevent this happening, as I've always been warey of applying substances to my camera.

4) and finaly, what is the filter in the photograph as I can't remember buying it and for what purpose. I suspect it was for landscape shots at sunrise or sunset

Thanks as ever 

Ramsden 

 

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That filter is a graduated neutral density filter. You are correct-it is used to balance exposure when a portion of the framing is significantly brighter than the rest, like sunset/sunrise landscape shots.

Filter use or no filter use will engender an unending stream of opinions/comments. Some correct and some specious.

"Don't put a $100 filter on a $3000 lens". Much of a lens' cost is engineering and mechanism, not the glass. A small flat piece of glass can be high quality at a $100 price point.

Some lenses behave badly when a filter added because of reflections of the filter back into the lens.

Some lenses require a clear filter to complete the weatherproofing - the instruction manuals will say when.

Some folks only use a filter when the desired result cannot be achieved in post-processing - i.e. a polarizing filter.

Some folks put a clear protective filter on every lens.

Others rely on a lens hood except in adverse conditions, like blowing sand.

[Ramsden]

Thanks John 

Some very helpful information.

I'll look forward to 'endless stream'

Apologies if you guys have discussed this to death in the past.

Ramsden 

[shadowsports]

I think John has covered your questions.

I use protective filters on every lens I own.  I also  move with both eyes open even when I'm looking through the viewfinder.  Especially true if I'm walking through high brush or something where a branch or stick may poke at the camera.  I also do this for situational awareness so that I'm not bumping into or tripping on people who usually aren't looking where they're walking.  This is true of wedding receptions or other outdoors venues where you're in close proximity to others. 😂

Filters are a matter of personal preference.  Anything that gets put on the front of a lens is finger tight.  This way they never become fused to the lens threads.  You can try rubber gloves to get a better grip and help with removal.  

I regularly wipe my lenses down after use and this often includes loosening and retightening a filter gently.  I also keep my gear in a dry cabinet so if it gets put away clean it's ready to go the next time I am.

[Ramsden]

Thanks Rick. 

What you say makes perfect sense.

I can see how this thread is going to work out.  I don’t have very expensive lenses and equipment but I want to look after it, and get the best out of it. So I'll soldier on with my uv's and new CPLs for now.

Best 

Ramsden 

[TomRamsey]

I have several CPL and ND filters, but rarely use them as I shoot more often when the light is low.  If you have to shoot in bright sunlight a CPL filter can be handy.  I do not use any "protection filters" as they can degrade your image quality.  I feel the best protection is a hood, as it has some give and is weaker than the lens, beside doing it's job to keep stray light off the lens.  I've actually seen a camera dropped on the hood first and no damage was done, without that hood the threads on the lens would have been bent and possibly more damage. If you want to use a filter for protection a clear filter is better than a UV filter, but don't forget that the hood will protect it from most impact.  People will argue about using or not using filters, but it's your choice.  

[Ramsden · Accepted solution]

Hi Tom

Thank you so much your response. In fact (over night) the one previous comment that stuck in my mind was: why stick a £100 filter on £3000 lens (dollars).

I have neither, but I do have a few cheaper UV's stuck on my lenses, that cost a few hundred pounds. And I like to look after my gear. My photography has several themes, but probably 4-5 days a week, weather permitting, I take my little dog and camera for a walk around the Pennine footpaths. Its not ideal, but thats what I do, and I'm always aware of branches poking the camera if I have it on my camstrap. But even without a UV filter, this process is perfectly manageable. I'll just be more careful.

So I'm going to keep the CPL filters for train window glare, and put the UV's back in their box.

Thanks for the nudge!

Ramsden 

[JeffXB]

As others have said, it’s your decision to use or not use a clear glass protection filter; or any filter for that matter, but a CPL or LPL (linear polarizer) will come in handy for your trip. Modern mirrorless and DLSR’s don’t need UV protection filters, they’re a throw back to the days of film.

Personally I use clear glass filters as I’m a bit of klutz. A little over a year ago I sold all my screw on filters and switched over to Maven’s magnetically mounted ones. You need either a screw on adapter ring or what they call a splash adapter ring for the filters to attach to. I use the splash adapter rings and haven’t noticed one bit of difference in image quality or auto focus speed / tracking, nor have I noticed any glare from the reflection off the filter to the lens. I also use their magnetic lens caps, much faster and easier to put on and take off, especially with a longer lens hood attached. I don’t know if I’m allowed to post a link here to their website, so just google search Maven Filters. Disclaimer: I’m not affected with nor do I have any interest in the company, I’m just a satisfied customer like thousands of other people. 

[Ramsden]

Good morning Jeff

Thank you for a fascinating addition to my enquiry. I keep learning from you guys. I feel a bit silly admitting that I'd never heard of the magnetic fitting. These make absolute sense to me, as nearly all my screw on filters feel stuck!

Equally the clear glass makes sense, if the UV is not needed on my EOS90D.

I feel the need for some protection for the lens, and while I can see that the hood offers a little bit, a clear filter is more appropriate.

I'll check out the link.

Thanks as ever.

Ramsden 

[Ramsden]

Not cheap- but I think I can justify the conversion of my relatively small numbers of lenses. I call that a result, and I had no idea we would end up at this place! Hopefully better quality photography and ease and flexibility of operations greatly improved.

Thanks guys.

Ramsden