Lens Protection

[Iceline]

Wow, I've finally stepped into the DSLR age. The transition has been long. My Nikons are now decor items. Back in the old film days, I had my lenses protected with Skylight 1B filters as I recall. What is the current thought on which filter to use for lens protection on a digital system? I don't know that anything would change, but I don't know given the new technology.

I know there are two camps of thought on the question. But I've yet to see any side be side comparison showing the degradation. My thinking is if there is degradation it's either a cheap filter or such little degradation you'd really need a lab test to show it. Of course I can just buy one and test for myself.

Thank you. Rog~

[Gary Brown]

Back in the old film days, I had my lenses protected with Skylight 1B filters as I recall. What is the current thought on which filter to use for lens protection on a digital system?

Here's one essay on the topic: Filtration 101 by Thom Hogan (the section “Thom's Maxim #19: Don't put extra glass or plastic in front of your expensive, well designed glass unless you need to” is specific to your question).

[Gary Brown]

Another essay on that topic that I forgot about, on this site, is The Filter Flare Factor by Mike Johnston.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

If you use a filter, be sure you get a good one. A cheap filter will seriously degrade any image.

I used to use a filter for protection, but now I do it only if I'm in a sand storm. I always use a lens hood, and on more than one occasion that has saved my expensive lens when I tripped and dropped the camera.