UV Filter when Shooting? at DVinfo.net

Dave Mercer · January 5th, 2013, 08:02 AM

Just wondering if any of you use UV filters to protect your lenses and how it affects quality.

I've never used them on my lenses for video, but am curious what others do.

Thanks!
Dave

Les Wilson · January 5th, 2013, 08:54 AM

There's been substantial discussion on this and some searches will reveal them. One line of thinking is to use them from the moment they come out of the box because replacing a filter is cheaper than ruining a lens. The opposing view is that lenses are more hardy that people give them credit for being and there are situations where the extra glass negatively affects the image. Personally, I used to subscribe to the former until I educated myself on lenses and witnessed the effectiveness of a Lens Pen. I no longer use UV filters unless I'm putting the camera in a situation where dust and debris is blown about by wind or the velocity of the camera. I also have a lens pen in my pocket and it's a snap to touch up the lens between shots if needed (filming children in 3rd world countries inevitably results in a fingerprint or two). YMMV

EDIT: When filming outdoors in crowds and safari situations, a polarizer gives a measure of protection while positively enhancing the image so it's far less of a negative albeit you lose a stop of light (but you are outside...)

Dave Mercer · January 5th, 2013, 10:19 AM

Thanks Les. That's very helpful, and along the lines of what I'd read elsewhere.

How bad does the flying dust have to get before you put on your UV filter? And which brand filter do you use (B+W seem popular but costly).

Steven Keller · January 5th, 2013, 10:57 AM

Personally, I have found that the C100 (and probably the c300) are a bit sensitive to UV light. Shoot someone without makeup on who is over 40 and you'll see more "character" in the skin than with the naked eye, at least with daylight-balanced artificial light. Popping a UV filter on brings the skin back to a more natural look, although it's a matter of taste.

David A. Fisher · January 5th, 2013, 02:28 PM

What?!?

Please post an example.

Allan Black · January 5th, 2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Mercer

How bad does the flying dust have to get before you put on your UV filter? And which brand filter do you use (B+W seem popular but costly).

It's like, how bad is the wind going to be? you can never tell. Use B+W or other similar name brand filters, buy once cry once :)

We shoot aircraft shows outdoors and always leave the B+W UV filters on all the cameras all the time. I've had dust and grit come down, then it rained.

But for indoor interview work, once the cam is setup, the UV might come off.

We never use polarizors because once you pan the camera, you lose the pol effect and intercutting with other views from other cams,
we'd get different shades of blue sky. Yep +1 for the Lens Pen.

Cheers.

Dave Mercer · January 5th, 2013, 04:11 PM

Gets pretty dusty here in small town Guatemala when the wind picks up (not gale force but probably 20-30 MPH), but never thought about the UV filter. Lenses have been fine so far, but maybe I've just been lucky. Sounds like a good investment before the next hurricane season though ...

Thanks all.

Les Wilson · January 7th, 2013, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Mercer

...How bad does the flying dust have to get before you put on your UV filter? And which brand filter do you use (B+W seem popular but costly).

I use B+W whenever I can afford it. I put it on for anything 10mph or more. The issue Allan cites about polarizers doesn't apply when you only have a single camera. IMHO, a great sky is well worth it even if another shot is at an angle that can't be filtered. My work has been in areas of the world with very bright sunlight, I expect the skies will look different at different angles without polarizers too.

Allan Black · January 11th, 2013, 05:08 AM

Guys having said I don't use polarizors, I bumped across this bit .. had to link it :) ..

Polarizing Filters: Powerful Filmmaking Tools | Hurlbut Visuals

Cheers.

Brian Drysdale · January 11th, 2013, 06:47 AM

Film people generally use an 85 conversion filter all time when shooting exteriors with tungsten stock. Others use massive filter packs to create the images they want. It really depends on what you want to achieve.

If the front element is in danger or where you can expect the unexpected (eg news), you should protect it.

Les Wilson · January 14th, 2013, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Black

Guys having said I don't use polarizors, I bumped across this bit .. had to link it :) ..

+1. Awesome link.

Brett Sherman · January 18th, 2013, 09:42 AM

I gave up on the Lens Pens when I discovered the Zeiss Lens Wipes:

Amazon.com: Zeiss Pre-Moistened Lens Cloths Wipes 200c: Health & Personal Care

I found it took awhile to clean with the Lens Pens and I wasn't able to get the smudges completely removed. Maybe my technique was lacking, but I found the lens wipes are faster and leave your lens cleaner. I have a ziplock bag with about 20 or 30 of them I keep in my camera bag and stick a few in my pocket while shooting.

January 5th, 2013, 08:02 AM	#1
Dave Mercer Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Posts: 346	UV Filter when Shooting? Just wondering if any of you use UV filters to protect your lenses and how it affects quality. I've never used them on my lenses for video, but am curious what others do. Thanks! Dave

January 5th, 2013, 08:54 AM	#2
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: UV Filter when Shooting? There's been substantial discussion on this and some searches will reveal them. One line of thinking is to use them from the moment they come out of the box because replacing a filter is cheaper than ruining a lens. The opposing view is that lenses are more hardy that people give them credit for being and there are situations where the extra glass negatively affects the image. Personally, I used to subscribe to the former until I educated myself on lenses and witnessed the effectiveness of a Lens Pen. I no longer use UV filters unless I'm putting the camera in a situation where dust and debris is blown about by wind or the velocity of the camera. I also have a lens pen in my pocket and it's a snap to touch up the lens between shots if needed (filming children in 3rd world countries inevitably results in a fingerprint or two). YMMV EDIT: When filming outdoors in crowds and safari situations, a polarizer gives a measure of protection while positively enhancing the image so it's far less of a negative albeit you lose a stop of light (but you are outside...)

January 5th, 2013, 10:19 AM	#3
Dave Mercer Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Posts: 346	Re: UV Filter when Shooting? Thanks Les. That's very helpful, and along the lines of what I'd read elsewhere. How bad does the flying dust have to get before you put on your UV filter? And which brand filter do you use (B+W seem popular but costly).

January 5th, 2013, 10:57 AM	#4
Steven Keller New Boot Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 8	Re: UV Filter when Shooting? Personally, I have found that the C100 (and probably the c300) are a bit sensitive to UV light. Shoot someone without makeup on who is over 40 and you'll see more "character" in the skin than with the naked eye, at least with daylight-balanced artificial light. Popping a UV filter on brings the skin back to a more natural look, although it's a matter of taste.

January 5th, 2013, 02:28 PM	#5
David A. Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 57	Re: UV Filter when Shooting? What?!? Please post an example.

January 5th, 2013, 04:11 PM	#7
Dave Mercer Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Posts: 346	Re: UV Filter when Shooting? Gets pretty dusty here in small town Guatemala when the wind picks up (not gale force but probably 20-30 MPH), but never thought about the UV filter. Lenses have been fine so far, but maybe I've just been lucky. Sounds like a good investment before the next hurricane season though ... Thanks all.

January 11th, 2013, 05:08 AM	#9
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,931	Re: UV Filter when Shooting? Guys having said I don't use polarizors, I bumped across this bit .. had to link it :) .. Polarizing Filters: Powerful Filmmaking Tools \| Hurlbut Visuals Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

January 11th, 2013, 06:47 AM	#10
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Re: UV Filter when Shooting? Film people generally use an 85 conversion filter all time when shooting exteriors with tungsten stock. Others use massive filter packs to create the images they want. It really depends on what you want to achieve. If the front element is in danger or where you can expect the unexpected (eg news), you should protect it.

January 18th, 2013, 09:42 AM	#12
Brett Sherman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mount Rainier, MD Posts: 428	Re: UV Filter when Shooting? I gave up on the Lens Pens when I discovered the Zeiss Lens Wipes: Amazon.com: Zeiss Pre-Moistened Lens Cloths Wipes 200c: Health & Personal Care Amazon.com: Zeiss Pre-Moistened Lens Cloths Wipes 200c: Health & Personal Care I found it took awhile to clean with the Lens Pens and I wasn't able to get the smudges completely removed. Maybe my technique was lacking, but I found the lens wipes are faster and leave your lens cleaner. I have a ziplock bag with about 20 or 30 of them I keep in my camera bag and stick a few in my pocket while shooting.