Are UV Filters Useful Or Useless?

My take on whether or not you should use a UV filter on your lenses to protect them. My apologies for the gap between uploads. Turns out I'm gonna be one of those once a month if you're lucky KZbinrs.
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[@reyjes]

This is a good explanation of the pros and the cons. I've always used a UV filter just for the protection. There's something about having the front lens element in pristine condition that only a filter can ensure, after years. If the filter gets scratched, it's not an issue. However, for those times when I don't want to wonder if the filter is impacting image quality, I just take it off for the shoot, and then put it on again after. As you said, it's all an individual choice.

[@tgrunnet9050]

Thanks. No doubt a filter provides protection. Unfortunately even using B&W filters the image degradation is clearly visible using a high resolution camera like Z8 and god optics, in perticular when using longer lenses.

[@efreutel]

Superb analysis. Many thanks. 😊

[@bfunphoto]

Thanks!

[@mikefoster6018]

Sometimes there's a clearer tipping point in favour of the filter or not. For example, I'm loving my little 33mm lens after using my big(ish) 16-55 for so long. And I love how the 33mm tucks so safely to my side after such a long time trying to stop my 16-55 swinging and bumping into things. So I feel great having a nice tough Hoya Nano 2 lens filter on my 33mm, rather than a sticky-outy lens hood flapping around. (I'll still use its hood sometimes, but it's so nice and compact without it).

[@gregchamberlain7554]

My choice is a B+W UV-Haze filters because of the fact they are manufactured from German Shott Glass. Bar none the best and clearest Nano glass available for filters by B+W and Hoya. They have the best light transmission factors of any brand on the market. We don't need to debate UV effectiveness, since I have said the choice is based on using the clearest glass available on the market in front of my lenses. So light transmissibility factor will be at its highest with filters manufactured from Shott Glass. You will see no degradation of images as you would with cheaper filters. In some cases you need to be sure you are using a Chinese counterfeit that has a glass element that is only plastic. Plus you seem to forget there are still some Purist out in the world that shoot film still. I recently (two days ago) had my Nikon 28-70 f:2.8 roll onto the floor when on packing it, and yes there was damage. The filter's glass shattered from a two foot drop. If you own this lens you already know its front heavy as all hell. Needless to say there was no damage to my lens whatsoever. Also, if you are buy glass filters, or for the matter fake glass filters with no coatings you are presenting problems for yourself...

[@michaelmacguinness5498]

I enjoyed your take on this highly controversial topic. Thanks!

[@Alesscamera]

I think in regular conditions the UV filter is fine, it doesn’t affect the picture quality at all, the only difference will be when you’re shooting sunsets or direct sunlight. So I would say it’s worth using uv filters specially if you want to keep your lens without scratches or shooting in the rain.

[@timmiller521]

Enjoyed the video as had similar thoughts. Ironically I had a uv filter on my canon 24-105 lens for years (as protection ) but the glass filter detached itself and rubbed on the lens glass causing an abrasion. However didn't degrade the image quality. I always use lens hood as protection rather than to stop lens flare. And yes I still use uv filter as added "protection". Just bought a R6 so would watch your review.

[@bfunphoto]

Oof that sucks that you had that happen! Yeah it'll probably come in early 2022 at some point 😀. These always take longer than I think they will haha

[@jamesraykenney]

You left out one reason to leave the filter on... You are going to need to clean your front element from time to time... Wear does occur and mistakes ARE made from time to time, when cleaning the element... I would much prefer to have that mistake happen to a $30.00(or even $120.00) filter than the lens... It probably does not matter as much to someone with an interchangeable lens camera, but as I no longer have room to have more than one camera or lens, I have to settle for a Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 with a fixed lens... If that gets damaged, I am out of business... So protecting the one none removable lens is a priority to me...

[@israrhussainaquarius]

Honest review ✌👍

[@bfunphoto]

Thanks for the compliment ☺️

[@Heartlanddualsport]

If it helps at all, I too have dropped a camera with a 24-70 lens on it, it was on concrete. I tried over a cord that went from the camera to the strobe attached to tripod. It spun off the desk, and landed on the ground. I cant say the UV filter had helped, but i can say nothing broke. So it is something I use. I do agree, the lens hood will help as well. Thanks for sharing, enjoyed your video so I subbed you as well. Keep up the fun videos. There is a young man who is on KZbin as well, he dropped a 24-70 f2, the new large one, it broke part of the threads off his lens,? Makes me wonder had it had a filter on the front if the threads may still be intact? Again, good job on this video. Dale

[@bfunphoto]

Thanks! I appreciate the kind words :)

[@ricardoabh3242]

lol blame the cat for your camera damage!😂

[@guzsaputra]

nice explanation, i use uv filter just to protec my lens.

[@bodinian]

I use them because I take pictures where people often start smoking cigarettes. The cigarette tar is corrosive to lens coatings, so I let the filter take the beating instead of my lens front element.

[@bfunphoto]

Oh man that's a hilarious use case I never would've thought of! Yeah there are definitely times where you 100% want to use one, and that's one for sure.

[@bodinian]

@@bfunphoto I bought a used 50mm f/1.8 STM from eBay when I was new to photography. I thought the auto white balance of my camera was bad. It turns out the lens had a heavy yellow tint, likely for that very reason. I returned it and bought a new one and the problem was solved. Tobacco smoke and lenses don't mix!

[@Travisharger]

It’s not the dropping i’m usually worried about. I’ve had lenses personally get smashed by something striking them (cstands and other gear).

[@liutony4872]

Sea salt, sand, metal dust in the air may be a concern. If the filter ring get knock sideway it can easily crack and potentially damage the front lens more easily. Clear or UV filter does degrade image of any lens with focal length above 150mm upwards. UV filters are getting more expensive these days.

[@bfunphoto]

Yeah they definitely have their place!

[@CocoKoi321]

still tho, UV filters are alright if you get the super multi coated ones and make sure your glass is as clean as possible, if you like them use them, just take the photos you like

[@wholesome.footage3923]

Ironically, your skin is consistently over-exposed :D Still a good video.

[@bfunphoto]

Thanks! Haha yeah the problem is if I close the blinds on the window it then becomes too dark and I'd have to raise the ISO

[@justlou717]

@@bfunphototime for a key light 😉 you can achieve this fairly inexpensively. Just find a soft shade that blocks 20-40% of the light coming in that window then side light (or soft box/bounce off of a nearby wall) to properly light your face. I really like the elgato lights, they join Wi-Fi and you can adjust color tone and brightness independently or in unison from a PC or smartphone app

[@JoshuaMcTackett]

I scratched the front element of my RF70-200 on holiday, vowed to always use filters for protection. Today I dropped my protective camera bag from my shoulder by accident, and smashed the uv filter in the bag, who's shards were then driven straight into the front element of my 24-70 rf lens. It's already en route to Canon for repairs... Waste of money and time worrying about filters.

[@bfunphoto]

Ouch that's a hard lesson to learn!

[@slampest]

Uhhh i think people mean its protection for scratches.. not dropping the lens? 😅

[@matthewsequoyah2665]

Great ending ! 🤣

[@bfunphoto]

Thanks!

[@bfunphoto]

Thanks!

[@ChuihcguRydughx]

I bought MCUV filter from kase, anyway I feel more protective for my camera haha.

[@jixal]

Probably best reason to use a filter is so you dont have to clean dirt/ dust or water droplets off your actual camera lens. Every-time you clean glass you will leave micro scratches

[@moneyboys2010]

Words taken right out of my mouth. I have multiple cameras, 10 lens, I wouldn’t look to justify taking on the damage test. 😅

[@laika25]

Eeewwwwww, that R6 sensor totally exposed to dust 😢

[@bfunphoto]

Yeah, it's not something I'd normally do, but I thought it'd make for better B Roll, and it can always be cleaned.

[@slampest]

3:37 duude blow off the dust first T.T

[@bennieterrell4139]

MORE PLEASE! You are late to the party - P r o m o s m !

[@bikeandsee1647]

If scratches on the front element do or do not degrade the image, this is a highly controversial stuff in photography,