Uv filter

How many of us use uv filters it seems like you buy an expensive lens and then stick a cheap bit of glass over the top of your lens to protect it, can their be a difference in using a filter in picture quality. I have always used filters but are we fooled into believing we must use them
Regards Dave

Cheap ... don't think so.

I use a protector filter on most of my lenses and they can be around £40 to £50 each.

I would rather have salt spray or a scratch on a filter than the front element of a DA* lens.

deppends very much on what I'm shooting and which lens, my 80-320 reacts very badly to filters, some of my other lenses don't mind as much.

When I do use them, I only use multi-coated filters to minimise their impact on flare resistance.

No filters, but always a lens hood.

The exception would be the PL or graduated filters, although I personally don't use the latter at all.

I found any type of filter on the 55-300mm is a no-go. Almost got rid of my lens until I read on the forum the filter was a cause of poor images, on this lens anyway.

No filters, always a lens hood for me too. Just wait till you see the damage a filter does when it breaks.

Only filter I use [ and not often enough I'm told ] is a CPL.

Hood - oh yes

Again, no filter - but ALWAYS a lens hood

Andrew