i hav read around in the forums as well as did some googleing but up till now haven't quite found my answer..

I hav a 600d and kitlens 18-55mm...
I use it for travels mostly and am contemplating to get a filter.

Would it be worth it if a pay a few hundred bucks for a good filter to protect the kitlens?

What's holding me back is frm what I read that filters will somehow degrade the photos (depending on variables I guess). And I do not want that to happen....
Given this and the price I would hav to pay for a good filter , would it be financially prudent ? Considering it's just a kit lens.... Lol

If you can afford to change your lenses often, then naked is the way to go. If you're like me, buy and keep and use, then the clear glass is cheaper than a new lens.

Choice is yours.

For casual photographers, you don't have to spend too much on good quality filter. As some expensive filter can cost the same as your kit lens. If you want to go for the budget filter that doesn't degrade your IQ that much, you can go for Hoya HMC UV filter. Been using that for quite sometimes and I'm satisfied with it.

++

Cheap filters are not worth using.
Hoya HMC is the bare minimum of what I'll use.
I will only use filter on lens worth at least 10X more than the filter itself.

No need filter. Just use a lens hood settle, all my lens are like tat.

Hi, I have asked this question before. I have got a response where people hates having the uv filter as it would reduce the IQ of high quality lens.

However, some people would believe that some high quality filter does not reduce IQ. Those cost a lot!

But if it were me, I would go WITHOUT a filter as if I am serious about photography, I will upgrade my lens and would worry about that later. Because by the time I save enough money to get a nice lens, I would be able to know if I know how I handle my equipment.

you will find 2 school of thoughts and each will argue until the cows come home..

i just put it there to save me the pain of cleaning the front element from dirt at the end of each outing esp by the sea. Some lens will be easy to clean and some difficult.. I just stick a glass there to do the dirty job.. Quality.. just dig into my pocket and see how I feel.. There are difference but heck.. I do not have deep pockets and get what ever loose change I have for the day.. I just want to get mileage out of it..

I buy my hardware not for show and tell. it is to be use and it will get rough treatment sometimes so what ever protection available is better than nothing. Honestly... with filters, I only have to worry about the rear element now.. esp my Zeiss Biogon 28 and Sonnar 50 which elements stick out unprotected like goldfish eyes even when it is fully retracted.

I have cheepo and Zeiss filters on my Zeiss lenses.. need I comment more? I will prefer to spend my energy taking photo than ponder over this issue..

If you want to pick the gray solution.. get one and use it as a lens cap.. remove it if you feel like it.. I know a friend of mine with heaps of Leica lens choose that path... and use old used cotton underwear to clean all his Leica lens!!!

Go and have fun taking photo!!!

This post has been edited by ChinWY: Oct 11 2014, 11:17 PM

If you want to use filters, get the better ones.
And beware of fake branded filters.

1. ask yourself - how great is your photo that a slight degradation of your photo is going to have an impact?

2. cheap filters, refer to post 1.

3. you need not spend a lot on filter, better spend RM 100 - 150 on filter to protect your lens front element than to regret later.

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This post has been edited by ChinWY: Oct 11 2014, 11:07 PM

aiyah some people simply talk. truth is that with a good filter, you can't even tell the difference between the pictures.

a good filter is worth spending on as it protects your lens.



there are things beyond your handling, all it takes is someone to accidentally knock your camera and so happens the lens moves towards an object, you're in for a scratch.

your lens immediately losses value and it may affect the image depending on the damage, you'll have to buy a replacement by then.

now is that worth going "no filter" for? think about it. a good filter is just a few hundred RM>

I don't know whether you are a professional photographer but I now advise you as a recognized professional photography - get yourself a filter.

If I can win awards and accolades with filter on my lens, than I think it speaks enough that filter is not an issue when it comes to good photos.

Here, go to this link http://www.mpaawards.co.uk/overseas-awards-2014/ and click on Industrial & Commercial.

See the RED photo of a computer casing?

That's taken with a Canon EOS 60D (not full frame) - EF-S 15-85 lens (not prime lens, not L lens) and i has a B+W filter on it (so much for filter degrades photo).

Hahaha, I did say that bro. It's true that a good filter you can't tell a difference. But it does come in a price.

Actually lousy filter also not so bad la. It's not like the 18-55 lens is stellar in IQ to begin with.

I wouldn't worry about getting good filters until I actually have decent photos.

Your kitlens is probably worth only a few hundred bucks if bought off the second hand market. If you're planning to buy a few hundred bucks worth of filter to cover a few hundred bucks worth of kit lens, then I suggest that you keep the few hundred bucks to buy a second hand kitlens should the unlikely event that your kitlens got wrecked because you didn't put a filter happens.

Rule of thumb is that your filter should be cheaper than the lens it is meant to protect because it makes sense to sacrifice a cheaper filter than to risk a pricey lens.

However if the lens is not really a stellar performer and not that expensive, then the question becomes is it worth it to get a filter in the first place.

For me I'd go without a filter for the kitlens because that's what I did.

18-55 lens the filter size very small, a cheap one usually works fine. At least maintain keep the scratch, dust and water away from front element.

very helpful later on when you want to sell off, just in case *touch wood* bad stuff happen.

It's kinda ironic isn't it when it comes to kit lenses? People most often want to get rid of it as soon as possible. So if nobody wants it then why worry about the resell value?

Haha. Just my thoughts on the subject.

For me I wouldn't worry about a filter. You most probably need a kit lens if you want to sell the body along with it. Else the market for a kit lens is not that great. Doubt it would fetch much of a price even so why worry?

same dilema here.. never bother abt kitlens but then recently bought a macro lens which is $$$.. is HOYA UV good ?

Erh I thought that there are some circumstances where the filter actually makes a reflection, like a glare?

Will have to agree on this

depends on the quality of the filter. some people look for certain filter just to get flare.

eh 300 - 400 also money lor.

anyway my line of thought is to better keep the kit lens in good shape, can bundle along with the body for better sale if ever bekside itchy for upgrade in future.

i am still reading up on this issue on other sites.. it is indeed a long debate but im now more inclined towards a 'non filter' approach , but rather getting a hood instead. will post my thoughts and conclusion on this shortly..

before that, i was in MV and got quote for a B+W multi coated UV filter for about RM160... he showed me all the different types they carry and looking through the B+W filter, it really looks great as if they is no piece of glass there, it is of brass frame.

now what would be a good filter ? and what is the range like? RM160 for that piece seems promising....

i was in MV and didnt get to compare prices elsewhere to see which shop offers a more competitive pricing... any1 know got a suggestion for cheap and genuine camera accessories?

Your kitlens if not mistaken will have a filter size about 55 right? You will not find many other lenses, especially lenses that you want to upgrade to in future, will have that kind of filter size. Thus you spend RM160 and then you would probably find no other lens to fit the filter to. If you sell the kitlens, would you bundle the filter? Probably not coz it cost quite a bit but then if you sell it along with the lens, it would jack up the price so much that it's not competitive. You wouldn't want to be caught in this dilemma.

Get a hood or go naked. If you're careful, nothing disastrous will happen to your kitlens.

Canon 100mm macro and 28 f/1.8 are 2 really great lens with 58mm filter threads.

If you intend to get these in the future, your filter are swappable. Just saying.

i feel that the "filter debate" is ridiculous.

that's why you don't see pros discuss much on this, the rest are usually with too much free time or don't know their stuff.

as for your kit lens (18-55) i would just get something under RM 100 for easy of cleaning and keeping it in good condition. It's optional though, as what others mentioned the lens is of low value. If you think you can protect it well then go ahead. hood itself is RM 10 -15 range if I'm not mistaken. El-cheapo filter RM 50 - 60 perhaps, don't recall them affecting the image quality much.

i managed to find high quality filters from online cheap.

zero ghosting, resisted a direct hit onto a sharp surface. scratchless.
less than rm100.

kept away the lens cap after that. because it was so bothersome to keep taking it off and putting it back on. worth the money for the sake of convenience and cleaning.

being shooting for 8years, own 5 lenses and nv use filter, just use lens hood and of cause take good care of ur lens.

I was thinking, for those who use lens hood for protection.

would this work better?



Youtube Link

This post has been edited by azimut: Oct 16 2014, 05:23 PM

it's lens hood, but more advance and much more pricey

want to buy hoya filter but which model shld i buy? standard?HMC? Pro1D ? whats the difference?

This post has been edited by piano_freak: Oct 16 2014, 07:23 PM

donno which one better but I'm using the Pro1D for my 50mm f1.4 lens.

In term of quality, Pro1D will be better than HMC.

lens hood isn't pricey at all i think? depends on brands, but most lenses come with a lens hood.

what i don't like about lens hood is you have to remove and put it back again every time you put your camera into the bag. it does a better protection compared to filter though in my opinion.

I've used HMC filters on some of my lenses, works great! Recommended by LegendLee

3rd party lens hood is a lot cheaper than the original, and it do the same job.

I am not sure how much it is in Malaysia, have never seen it here. But in USA it converts back to RM170. It is quite pricey.

I am not sure if lens hood is a better protection compared to filter.

Yeah, quite mafan to remove and put it back, just a minor set back though.

Did you see the video on my link?

Hood is better.
Both is best.

My friend drop my 70-200 from waist head down.
He did not use my hood coz he didn't like it.

The Hoya hd filter broke and is now stuck on it.
The filter glass shattered and now I've some very faint light scratches on the front element.

The value of the lens probably drop by 40%. But wihout the filter, it'll probably be useless.
If he had the hood on, only casualty will probably only be the hood.

This post has been edited by LegendLee: Oct 17 2014, 10:03 AM

yeah, original lens hood is so damn overpriced anyways (up to few hundred for a plastic collar? wtf?). but if you lens have it bundled together then it's good.

that's the main frustration with lens hood, slows down the shooting pace a lot if you keep on remove and put back and repeat.

I still think that a lens hood offers more protection. of course it doesn't protect your lens from dust/ water etc, but if you drop your lens, a lens hood would protect the lens much better. the lens hood is just a plastic piece that can bend (unless you using those super telephoto like 400mm or such), so when it hits the ground it will bend first then crack or break if the force is too strong (this is when the front of the lens is facing the ground). simple physic anyways.

those 24-70 or 70-200 have a really deep and strong lens hood, always good for protection.

There is no need to invest so much for kitlens filter. A standard hoya would do. Always remember go for filter that have quality like Hoya....china brand say No.

Till you have L, maybe can start thinking B+W or Hoya HD.

Filter for me is just a gimmick thing to play with. If possible I would love to take photo without filter. Just simply..... no filter has much better color saturation compare with filter. ( Just like Nikon with no AA filter ). But then getting filter for my purpose is just to protect lens. For such a clumsy person like me. I might accidentally hit the lense. So i would say for me it is acted as a protection. Just my own preference though.

What gimmick? Filters were made for a reason, there's also other filters out there that serve a purpose like gradient filters and circular polarizing filters.

Good filters can be pretty strong too.

As what others mentioned filter + hood is best.

Filter helps protect against elements, hood protects against physical impact on the front element which is the most important and also the most fragile.

cheap filter will reduce quality, if your lens is cheap i suggest use lens cover to protect, should be sufficient.

if photo not good - reduced quality not a problem.
if photo is to put on Facebook / Flickr / Forum - reduced quality not a problem



a spoiled 18-55 makes way for new lens.

Anyway Canon 18-55 is 58mm filter size, might be worth getting a good filter if you intend to get other lenses in the future that happens to have the same filter thread size.

quality? can you tell a from a photo that on the lens attach with cheap filter? no filter? expensive filter?

Compare against a no brand cheap filter with a hoya filter, I can do that without even the need to pixel peep.
The hazy contrast effect is very prominent

i actually heard hoya from my friend. any other good filter recommend?

filters are important to enhance your image quality. ND for low shutter speed, CPL for decrease reflections, enhance color, saturation, contrast etc

B+W.
But those are venturing into the... Should I really spend that much on a clear glass ?

I use B+W Variable ND filter though. Really useful and doesn't give a noticeably color cast.
One of those cost as much as a cheaper lens.

Filters are like screen protector for your phone.. buy it and protect ur front element... degrade or not, only sifu level can tell..

for me as long as nice composition, lightning and can tell story is enough.. most of us LR anyway, so it doesn't matter..

Those are specific filters for specific needs. What TS is asking is that should he invest in a UV filter to protect his kit lens. Now if you buy ND or CPL for kit lens you might find that your ND or CPL will not fit your next lens once you graduate from your kit lens. Then wouldn't that be a waste of money?

Like myself. I now have 2 lenses with filter size of 72 and one with filter size of 55 which is same as my kitlens. I had a CPL earlier with a filter size of 62 that is now collecting dust.

Well back to the question : if you had a RM 400 phone would you buy a RM 150 screen protector for it? You would probably find a screen protector around RM 20 and be done with it. As the case for TS, I say just go with a hood or go naked.

I had a sony xperia Rm600 budget phone, I still go for tempered class with spigen casing. Why? Because I care about my investment, is not about how high amount of your investment vs your willingness to invest on protection, is about taking care of your gear.

Back to filter case, I have 3 Lens. So I should go naked on Kit lens, cheap filter on my 35mm f.18, and a better lens for my 17-55? Does that means DX lens doesn't worth B+W filter? Only FF worth better protection?

Just my 2 cents, every gear should get protected if you care..

Not to say I don't care. Unless you are a total klutz then nothing disastrous will happen to your kit lens. Unless you drop it from high or bang it against every surface you encounter, the lens will not be severely degraded through normal wear and tear.

You could buy a B+W filter for it but the filter would cost as much as a second hand kit lens. Going by that logic, wouldn't it be better to buy a second hand kit lens than to buy that filter should your kit lens be a total loss? Furthermore the filter size of a kit lens is not shared by many other lenses. More often than not you are going to have an expensive filter lying around with no use after you decide to ditch the kit lens so if that happens, wouldn't buying an expensive filter for your kit lens be a bad investment move?

I am not saying don't buy filter for your lenses. I am saying your filter price should be proportionate to the cost of your lens. If your lens costs RM 4k then buying a RM 300+ filter for it is justified but not when your lens costs about RM 300.

A UV filter is basically to protect the front element of the lens. If you are careful, not many things will come in contact with your front element.

B+W multi-coated UV filter priced at RM160!??
Warning: That could be a fake one!

I searched bhphotovideo (reputable us shop) 58mm b+w filter uv is rm148 on conversion.

maybe you were cheated into paying for more.

just because your local shop listed it at 300+ doesn't mean that's the lowest price they can offer.

Now that is an interesting way of putting it.
Forgive me if I am wrong, but I don't think you can compare it that way. There are other factors like Tax, import charges and such.
Also, there are plenty of other things that are cheaper in the US compared to here, and I am talking about cost price.


But it is true that it may not be the lowest price a shop can offer. I don't think a camera shop in MV would be selling fakes.

Just my opinion

eh i saw lazada one also around that price.

good point there.

but i got mine around the same price, and i dont think it is fake either. or maybe it is a good quality fake, so good i am impressed with it - the coatings make it look like the "glass not there" (just like the previous poster said).

anyways i got it online, but the shop dont list it anymore, so i pulled the price quote it from a more site more familiar to you guys.

oh ya btw some lenses need filter to be weather sealed.