UV/Clear Filters | Do They Degrade The Image

UV/Clear filter use is a very hot topic and is widely debated on whether or not they should be used. In this video I touch on why I use them and I test/illustrate if they degrade image quality.
1twentyfivephoto
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[@chezlerq4478]

Really good video. I've been shooting since 1970, (with 35mm) and have always used clear filters ( on every lens) for the same reasons as you. Mainly for the cleaning. When you use a lens for many thousand shots, it concerns me to clean it so often. Sooo, I always use Top quality filters. I tried a couple cheap ones a couple years ago because of their claims of being as good as the expensive ones,...Not. Wanted to just throw them away, couldn't do it, just stashed them with the other stuff I don't use. Been through three 35mm slr cameras, a Yashica 120mm , then a Canon EOS Elan 2E 35mm (still have that one) great camera. That was my last film camera. Now on my second DSLR. A Canon 6D Mk2. Love it. Just gave my 60D to my daughter, and she loves it. I will go see what else you have on you tube. Good video, look forward to more. Thanks for sharing. Charlie

[@AnthonyToglife]

@Chezler Q first, thank you and thanks for watching! I've definitely tested cheap filters that I've got for free with a lens or other photography purchase and they don't compare, especially when it comes to ghosting and flare. I found cheaper filters to scratch much easier too. With the costs of lenses, it really doesn't make sense to put something cheap in front of it. To me filters are a built-in cost with a lens investment; if I'm not willing to pay for a quality filter, I'm not willing to buy the lens, period! Anyway, I appreciate your viewship. I hope to make many more videos you can enjoy.

[@michaellekas27]

Excellent video. You answered the question that was haunting me for a while. Totally agree with you that a good quality uv/clear filter (B+W, Hoya, etc) is crucial.

[@AnthonyToglife]

Very good to hear @michael lekas! I usually think, "what information am I looking for" and if I don't see any vids on it, I make one, lol. If you have any ideas on others, please please let me know! I'm always looking for vid ideas.

[@ruda9073]

l . m. . .m😅

[@mrhobs]

I like you’re style man, and I relate a lot to the sensible (yet slightly OCD) way you think. Also I noticed that in the left shot with the softer eyelash, there was another eyelash in the same image that was sharper than it was on the right. So yeah, just a slight focus change, no noticeable difference with due to the filter. 👍

[@AnthonyToglife]

@GLO-TUBE that focus shift was likely caused by me, not the filter. I don't use my sturdy tripod when I shoot during videos as I use the sturdy tripod for the recording camera.

[@MarcS4R]

i shoot a lot of motorcycle racing where there is dirt flying my way. I have damaged a front element before, not using a protective filter, since then , all my lenses are protected with a b&w filter

[@AnthonyToglife]

I feel ya on that @Marc Moto! Quite frankly my peace of mind is well worth the cost of admission!

[@danielpv1763]

Awesome, you really cover 100% of the potential scenarios. Really comes across that you know your stuff.

[@AnthonyToglife]

I appreciate that, thank you so much!

[@L.Lyubomirov]

If i put good expensive UV filter on vintage glass,will help me with better contrast or ?

[@AnthonyToglife]

Not really @insecCT320i. I don’t know of any filter that would inherently increase contrast, especially with vintage glass.

[@AskRigs]

Yes I want to see a comparison using a cheaper filter! #part2

[@squintygreeneyes]

did u ever figure out if the cheap ones really have any differences? i wanna get one just to keep dust out

[@squintygreeneyes]

i guess this was answered in the post right bellow this one

[@user-tk5dz8hg9g]

great video, thank you!

[@AnthonyToglife]

You are most welcome @user-tk5dz8hg9g!

[@user-qv6yh2lw1o]

I have been buying and using what I assumed to be genuine nikon ND filters from China on ebay for years. The 77mm ones which lens rentals did very scientific tests on, one of which was light transmission of all the filters they tested, the nikon had the 2nd highest light transmission at 99.8%. I don't know if the 30 dollar ones are fake, but I can't tell any difference in optical quality or machining. If they're fake, they're damn good fakes. Buying the same filter from the states, it costs 100 dollars from a trusted store. Packaging, look, feel, even the green hue on the filter is the same as the ones I bought from bh photo. I'd be willing to send you a Chinese bought filter and U.S. filter if there was a way for you to make a comparison. But like your conclusion, and I'm a pixel peeper, obsessive. I simply can't tell a difference between Chinese and American bought. Packaging manual, product are the same to my eyes.

[@AnthonyToglife]

The biggest difference between cheap and quality filters is the flare and ghosting. Optically I think the filter would need to be made of plastic to have a sizeable impact on IQ. But ghosting and flaring can be very bad with cheaper filters. Now of course you’d have to shoot in conditions that would yield flare or ghosting.

[@user-qv6yh2lw1o]

@@AnthonyToglife Thanks for the info!

[@hlash99]

Super helpful video! Thanks for making it, I just discovered these filters and you addressed a lot of my concerns. have you used Nikon filters, that’s what I ended up going with.

[@AnthonyToglife]

I'm a Canon guy @H Lash so I haven't used any Nikon filters, but I would imagine they would be pretty doggone good as Nikon certainly wouldn't want to sell inferior filters. Curious, what's the cost in relation to an equivalent B+W filter?

[@hlash99]

@@AnthonyToglife 52mmNikon filter runs about $35 on BH, I think the equivalent B+W is slightly more, (ie $45) depending on exact model. The Nikon filter uses aluminum, not brass which might account for some of the cost difference

[@AnthonyToglife]

@@hlash99 okay that's not bad. The brass threads was one of the main reasons I went with B+W way back. At the time when I was researching, there were a LOT of reports of filters seizing up or getting stuck on the lens so I decided to use a combination of the brass threads plus dry graphite lubricant to prevent that. Have never had an issue.

[@hlash99]

@@AnthonyToglife good to know...maybe i'll give B+W a try. the small premium is worth piece of mind

[@deadreckoningoutdoors]

I like your attitude 😂

[@AnthonyToglife]

😄 thank you.