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cheap lens filter for protection only

Z

ZippyDan

Platinum Member
I have a d3100 with kit lens and i'm tired of the lens cap. For that reason, I often leave the lens cap off for extended periods of time. The lens cap inevitably gets dirty, and then I have to fuss with cleaning it with a nice cloth, etc. The whole thing is a pain.

I want to put on a filter so that the lens itself is protected, and I only have to clean it once. After that I can just clean the filter with my shirt or a napkin or whatever is available and not have to worry about scratches etc.

In summary I want a filter that is:

1. For protection only
2. Cheap, so I don't have to worry about losing, damaging, or replacing it
3. Won't (noticeably) affect the quality of my shots (too much)
 
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CuriousMike said:
I bought a Tiffen UV "protection" filter for $6 specifically for this purpose.
I'm not sure what size you need, but example of what I bought:
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004ZCJK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I will warn you - I'm pretty sure I'm getting more lens flare when the sun is prominent.
Click to expand...

I tried the Tiffen and noted the same issue. I also tried a B+W and a Polaroid, and both of them I noticed less issue with flare. The B+W was a little better, but also 5 times as expensive as the Polaroid. Even so, I don't consider a $30 filter a bad investment if it stops a scratch on a $500+ lens.
 
The other thing I'd suggest is a lens hood - I've run my other kit lenses naked excepting the lens hood.

The hood can protect from most dings.
 
Have you considered a lens hood? You'd have to go straight in to hit the lens.

I got an SX50 a while back and it was my first camera with a lens that didn't retract back into the body, so I went and got a UV filter. I went with a Hoya and it's been fine for the most part. However, when I tried shooting at night, holy shit, there were tons and tons of reflections.
 
ZippyDan said:
I have a d3100 with kit lens and i'm tired of the lens cap. For that reason, I often leave the lens cap off for extended periods of time. The lens cap inevitably gets dirty, and then I have to fuss with cleaning it with a nice cloth, etc. The whole thing is a pain.

I want to put on a filter so that the lens itself is protected, and I only have to clean it once. After that I can just clean the filter with my shirt or a napkin or whatever is available and not have to worry about scratches etc.

In summary I want a filter that is:

1. For protection only
2. Cheap, so I don't have to worry about losing, damaging, or replacing it
3. Won't (noticeably) affect the quality of my shots (too much)
Click to expand...

2. and 3. don't often go together. UV and clear protector filters for digital are functionally the same and probably use the same coatings.

http://www.lenstip.com/113.4-article-UV_filters_test_Description_of_the_results_and_summary.html

The regular HMC Hoyas are harder to clean though, their coatings are mushier or something, so you may want to avoid them even though they rank high for bang/buck.

Personally I use B+W MRC and Hoya HD (easy to clean) on most of my stuff, with a couple of Marumis. I would never go down to Tiffen. If your lens is so cheap that you'd put a Tiffen on it, why not go all the way and protect it with only the lens hood? That's what I do...
 
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ZippyDan said:
I want to put on a filter so that the lens itself is protected, and I only have to clean it once. After that I can just clean the filter with my shirt or a napkin or whatever is available and not have to worry about scratches etc.
Click to expand...

Tiffen un-coated 52mm UV. $6 shipped from Adorama. Test to see if you can tell a difference with the filter on and off the kit lens. I'll bet you can't. Fog the filter with your breath and clean with your t-shirt. You'll get more lens flare with an uncoated filter so think ahead when shooting in the sun, or at lights at night.

http://www.adorama.com/TF52UV.html?u...e=rflAID021866

JR
 
Ended up going with a Nikon NC Filter. It is about $30, which is in the middle of super cheap and the crazy expensive filters. Plus, it seems to have less complaints about image artifacts than the cheapos
 
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