UV or not UV

Bit from another thread, Advice please


Hi, also bought a Kx recently for much the same reason as Derek and starting to learn, Decades ago when I had a film SLR it was common practice to have a filter (I think UV) fitted which stayed on permanently - as much as to protect the lens as to improve photos I think.

Gazing at my pristine new lenses (bought a zoom as well) - is this a good idea and if so what type of filter should I fit??

Thanks in advance for help.

Steve

Hmmm - I think there are 2 views here Some say you should put a UV filter on and others say don't .

I've a UV filter on my K-x's 18-55 and, till I get another one, I change it to the 50-200 if I'm using that. Sorry don't think I've helped you at all

Welcome to the Forum BTW

UV has almost no effect on digital, so there's no need for a UV filter to improve image quality.

You can use one for protection if you like, or a clear glass protector, but one can cause ghosting or slight loss of image quality, and you have another two surfaces to keep clean.

Lens glass and coatings are actually quite robust and are only damaged if you're exceptionally unlucky or careless, especially if using a hood.

I would be really careful with your glass though they are so fragile link

It may be illogical, but I would rather clean a filter than the front of a lens.

AHA

Iceblinker said Now the kit 18-55 on the K-x does not come with a hood but the Samsung 18-55 that came with my 50-200 does come with a hood.

So why are some lenses supplied with hoods and others aren't ?

My 18-55 came with a hood in the kit.

Hoods are left out to pinch pennies, sadly.

You can however get one for your DA L 18-55: http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m38.l1313&_nkw=PH-RBA*&_sacat=Se...

Usually no hood is supplied with the DA L version.

Thanks for the link - now I know how to clean properly...

Yes that's the extra light version (DA L) and comes without a hood the rest of the current pentax lenses come with an hood.

I believe with Canon they never come with one

The hood is a very important, if not vital, accessory and happily comes with almost all Pentax lenses except the very lowest cost ones.

OK - so why ?

As I can see from the 3 lenses in my house - there's more than one type of hood ?

They didn't include the hood to save on cost most likely, the DAL versions also miss quick-shift and an metal lens mount.

You've different kind of hoods because you've different kind of lenses.
They try to make the hood as close fit to the lens as it can so that it works better.
an wide-angle hood is for example much wider and zoom lenses often come with a flower hood since it allow for a bit more protecction for the sun.
Most prime lenses come with a simple round hood that covers that focal length perfectly.

A. Lenses come with a hood if one is needed.
B. All lenses come with a lens cap. Go figure.

I shoot around the city. I take the lens cap off, take a photo or a few photos, and put the lens cap back on. On some occasions, a procession or parade or dance program, I might leave the lens cap off for quite some time but, as a born klutz, if I'm changing location, the lens cap goes back on.

I enjoyed the video of the torture test for a lens but I decided not to try to duplicate his test with one of my lenses.

That's not true, a lens hood will always help against flaring and glares. Okay some lenses are less prone to that but still an hood is the best solution against that.
You can compare it that you cover your eyes when you need to look against the sun, it simple blocks the sun or light source sometimes to shine directly on your glass.