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Question: Does it matter what UV filter I buy!.!?
So I just got a new lens for my DSLR I want to get a UV filter for protection but I am wandering what brand to buy!. At our local camera store there is a promaster that is glass not plastic for 24 but the sales guy suggested a Hoya that was 100!. Does it really make a 75 dollar difference!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
The quality of the filter should be in line with the quality of the lens!. Did you pay more than $1000 for the lens!? Then it makes no sense to put a cheap filter on it!. If you only paid $200 for the lens then $100 seems a bit much for the filter!. There are different grades of optical glass!. There is a different but not one you'll notice in the filter unless you have a high end lens to begin with!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

most lenses come pre-coated with a scratch resistant layer, you can even see it its kind off a purple metallic look that a good lens has, so getting a UV filter is futile, and as far as protecting it from impacts, any object that is hitting the filter with enough force to break it is GOING to break the lens as well!. so the points for having the UV filter are really Moot!.

On the other hand ANY time you ad more glass between your subject and the film plane you are distorting the image and diminishing your ability for in focus and correctly exposed images!. it creates another reflective surface for light to bounce off of inside the lens tube and can increase chances of lens flares and aberrations in images!. the negatives outweigh the perceptions of a benefit- don't waste your moneyWww@QuestionHome@Com

A UV filter is great for protecting your camera lens!. If you keep the filter on at all times, you need never ever clean your camera lens and so avoid scratches!.
A UV filter also gives slightly better definition in distant objects as it cuts out UV ligh (Invisible to us, but visible to the camera)!.

Buy a good glass UV filter!. After all you don't want something that lessens the sharpness of your camera lens!.

I still feel 'You get what you pay for"!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

No, not really!.!.!.!.! Especially when both filters cost them maybe $12!.00!.

As in camera lenses, there are not THAT many companies making optical glass!. The glass in one name brand lens is likely to be in another name brand lens that costs more because OF the name brand!.

Filters are the same way!.!.!. Just as in foods, clothing and just about EVERY THING else, there are companies that will buy a gazillion items and put Brand X on them and charge less, however the same thing will be for Brand Y for 10x the cost!. Look at gas prices sometimes!.!. Food!. Clothing!.!.!. etc!.!.!

Any extra piece of glass in the optical path lends it's self to a slight degradation of your image!. Paying $100 for a UV filter is absolutely absurd and ridiculous and I would have laughed in their face, hard!.!.!

However, way too many people are bought and sold into the cost and effect game and think if it costs this much, it MUST be good (or at least better)!.!.!. when in some cases it's the same thing with a different brand name on it!.

Go cheaper!.!.!. If you notice a image shift with the filter than with out, try a in store shot with the more expensive filter and do a at home, on your screen test!.!. You may be surprised!.!.!.

Bob - Tucson
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Hoya is a good brand!. I'd avoid a cheap filter, but Hoya makes some excellent UV filters for $20-30, depending on how large your lens is!. You don't need the ultra-super-multi-coated one!. Just get a Hoya UV filter and that's good!. Personally, I use plain GLASS filters for protection, as I don't always want the color provided by the UV filter!.Www@QuestionHome@Com