On 2 Jul 2004, at 14:03, william.curwen wrote:
The use of UV filters is an urban myth that deludes most photographers.Hasn't deluded me Wil! I know exactly why I purchase my UV filters and it's never from a camera salesman! :-)
A UV filter should only be used to filter out UV light - geddit? Like up a
mountain at midday or whatever, NOT to protect the lens. The best thing to
protect a lens is a lens-shade which will take the knocks and most of the
spray of whatever kind of gunk is in the surrounding air. Get a deep
compendium type if needed.
Nope, sorry Wil. A lens hood does not stop spray trashing your lens coatings. When you come to Wales I will show you how in windy weather the spray travels about half a mile inland, eben when you can't see the sea in the frame. I used to do a lot of sailing photography and believe me UV filters that do NOT noticeably bugger up an image are essential. Have you ever tried holding a compendium lens hood on a long lens in strong wind, it add serious windage! I don't want to go down the "use a tripod" argument as it doesn't suit so many fields of photography!!!!
Believe it or not, there are several different kinds of UV filter for
specific situations, and you are better off using thin polyester gels in
suitable holders,
I was given � 500.00 worth of resin filters by Lee who's Polyester gels were warped and caused SERIOUS chromatic errors. I have had major issue with many makes.
NOT cheapo window glass type filters which give a green cast - which of course - punks the colour.
My UV does not PUNK the colour in any way, and if you use the cloudy settings on the IDS it's 'absorbed' into the warm tone anyway. If we are using RAW, then it simply is not an issue as we have ultimate control afterwards?
For the curious, I use for my own work a narrow cut UV-2C filter that chops
out all UV just above visible blue, and is incredible for pulling out
ultra-deep shadow detail
Please tell me more.
I advise to leave the UV filter off. Smacking the front element of a lens
while out and about simply does not happen - get over it.
When you are in big crowds, like at the Faynol Balloon Festival I shot two weeks ago, it is not me smacking the lens that's the issue, it's thousands of other sods that barge you, and poke cigarettes near the second camera hanging over your shoulder :-)
One last thing in this William techno-rant, If you put a glass filter - any
glass filter on a lens - any lens, it will throw infinity focus out at full
aperture, and especially so on telephoto lenses.
I haven't seen any real evidence of this yet Wil, on my A1 prints :-)
most of the time there is no need for any filters to be used at all on a digicam.
Can't disagree more Wil, it really does depend on your specialisation and real world experience surely?
With very best wishes and much respect and looking forward to showing you around Anglesey,
Glyn
Art Photo Wales www.artphotowales.com
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