Filters for the Bigma

I have just purchased a Sigma Bigma and i am wondering if i should purchase a filter or 2 for it. At 86mm they don't come cheap, but i was thinking i should put a UV on it and maybe a polariser.

Gwyn i know you have Bigma, do you use filters on it : and if so are they benificial, even if only for protection

No I don't bother with filters for it. A polarizer isn't much use with it when it is zoomed in, and I don't bother with filters for protection.
I'd save your money if I were you.

Hi Clarky,
As Gwyn said; Forget a polariser. Zoomed in you would need all the light you get. Why lose another two stops of shutterspeed. The lens ain't that fast I think i would like some kind of protection filter for it, when i have to use it in bad weather or on the coast.( salt water spray, sand blowing etc,etc...) But only use it in severe weather conditions.
Martin

Thanks protection of the front element was my main concern

I still don't believe in filters for protection.

I took my Bigma whale watching, in the pouring rain, on my un-weather proofed Ds. They both survived and I got some reasonable whale shots. I have also taken it on my son's sailing barge, sailing the Waddenzee to photograph seals and birds, in less than wonderful weather, without a problem.
I just clean it when I get home.

Rambling mode on:
I guess you could have a point Maybe it is a needless worry, because you should expect the newest technology in lens coatings would prevent actual damage from the ''Elements out there''.
On the other end i still prefer a good cleaning of a relative cheap filter over a good cleaning of a expensive lens. ''Season to Taste'',as they say.
And yes....i know. Putting an extra piece of glass in front of your lens will effect IQ.
Buth hey.........,what am i talking about. I don't own a Bigma .....,yet!
And i don't use filters for protection on any of my lenses.
But i think i would, for a big piece of glass on certain moments.
Rambling mode off
Martin

My rambling mode button is broken and i can't turn it off
I don't generally use filters as protection on any of my lenses but this Bigma has such a big front element i am worried something is going to hit it eventually. But in saying that the hood gives it pretty good protection so maybe i am being a bit paranoid.

Just keep the hood on. If you think about it, if there was a filter on there, anything that might damage the front element by hitting it is definitely going to break a thin filter and then you've got broken glass getting squashed onto the front element.

How sick would you be if you bumped the end of the lens with your elbow for instance? Without a filter it would be fine, with a filter, which would probably break, you've almost certainly scratched your lens.

Dan

Points well taken guys. The cash is back in my pocket Thanks

Given the price of filters for the Bigma, I think you are better off with the cash in your pocket, or even better in the piggy bank - towards the next lens

My lens Purchases over the last 6 weeks has been a little extreme
16-50* Superb
50-500 Bigma, havent had a chance to use it yet
50-135* should get it this week
18-250 as above
And i still want a sigma 10-20 or the pentax 12-24?? and then a limited 31mm or 77mm and that should round it up pretty nice i think

LBA has a firm hold on the Clarky household

I would use a UV on any lens if I was near salt water 'cos salt has a nasty habit of attacking lots of things and the coating could certainly be at risk. On such a nice lens as that why risk it. On such a long focal length it is very unlikely to affect picture quality. I personally don't think it affects any focal length with the exception of ultra wide angle lenses, the only lens I don't use a filter on is my Sigma 10-20mm. Coatings on car windscreens have been damaged by salt spray if left, leaving strange splodges visible in certain light angles.

I have heard about salt water and what it can do to lens coatings but i have never seen it or met anyone it has happened too

Coulds it be an old wives tale or just a rumour put out by the filter manufacturers : :

I can quite believe that salt would make a mess of any lens coating - be it a salty splash or just salty air. Anyhow, being near water often means a lot of UV haze - another good reason why I use a filter.