UV optical filter

[Louie]

Hi,

I just received my new 18-200VR lens, very exciting! (thanks Poon!)

It came with the uv filter which is great ..... but can someone please tell me what it is for? I tried doing a search but no joy .......

Thanks!

Elena

[seeto.centric]

its more for protection purposes. but this is a debatable topic

often recommended that you remove the filter when shooting stuff that may induce filter flare (something like the mirroring of a bright source of light in your shot)

in the film days, i think it had something to do with improving the rendition of some colours on film which were affected by UV light?

sorry im not too competent in this area. i use UV filters mainly for protection

-j

[stubbsy]

Basically what Julian said.

In film days UV light could affect some film. Hence the filter filtered it out. In digital days UV light does nothing to the sensor, but a UV filter costs much less than that expensive lens it's on so if you scratch, smash or drop the whole shebang is it better if it's the disposable filter that's damaged or your not so disposable lens. I wouldn't stick my lens anywhere without protection Of course YMMV

[Louie]

That all makes sense, filter is now protecting my lens.

Thanks, I appreciate the responses!

Elena

[Matt. K]

Peter
Some digital sensors are more sensitive than others to UV light and many sensors have both an IR and UV filter covering the CCD. However it is true that UV affects a digital sensor far less than it did film. It seems the arguement these days in relation to UV and digital sensors is...is it worth using one for the very small amount of filtering it may do at the cost of adding an extra glass/air layer over your expensive prime optic. The answer would seem to be no, unless you do a lot of high altitude photography. UV filters of themselves are variable in the frequencies that they block and some have proved to be downright unreliable or useless for the purpose for which they were brought. I'm a great believer in using no filter and capturing the full quality your lens can provide....but I'll put a filter on if I'm going into rough territory or I'm going to work in the rain. I guess there may be room for some discussion on the topic of UV filters on telephoto lenses versus UV filters on wide angle lenses....but I'll leave others to think that one out.

[adam]

Very exciting.
May I know whether Poon always ships with the UV filter included?

Thank you!

[jamesw]

Very exciting.
May I know whether Poon always ships with the UV filter included?

Thank you!

from what i can tell is that he is supposed to (there is a request for a complementary uv filter at the bottom of each order), but sometimes he may forget.

so you might get one you might not!

i'm sure gary can elaborate.

[gstark]

What James said.

If you get one, as most do, great, but there are no guarantees, and I will not enter into discussions where one is not supplied.

[adam]

Thanks :)