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I have 'lurked' here for almost a year and never found the need to post as a quick review or search has always found someone else asking the exact question I have and getting knowledgable answers. But the time has come - I have a question I can't find an answer to!

We take a lot of surf shots with K10D and Tamron SP 300 (f5.6 not 2.8 sadly) standing at waters edge but find that it's still too short. Not having the funds to buy a decent longer lens like a Bigma one solution is to walk further into the sea whilst shooting. But of course there is always the risk of tripping and the kit getting a dunk in seawater and suspended sand- not a risk I'm willing to take.

Advise from local shop is to buy a waterproof housing. Internet searching shows a 'strong plastic bag' type solution which is guaranteed to 10M which is more than enough for a thigh high paddle in the water. But all those that I can find seem to cater only for shorter (i.e. physicaly smaller) lenses.

Any ideas??

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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