Do Protective Filters on Camera Lenses Degrade Image Quality?

Рет қаралды 4,681

Күн бұрын

#filters #lenses
Opinions are divided on whether it's a good idea to use neutral protective filters on camera lenses. Spoiler: I think it's a good idea, if just to protect your precious lenses from damage.
In this video, I perform a few basic tests to see if any difference can be seen with and without protective filters (from B+W and Hoya).
Gear used to make this video:
Nikon Z6 camera (B&H) bhpho.to/308AzVW
Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8S lens (B&H) bhpho.to/3GWtfxv
Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8S lens (B&H) bhpho.to/3GZ0z77
TASCAM DR-60DmkII DSLR Audio Recorder (B&H) bhpho.to/31Jfli7
Røde NTG2 Condenser Shotgun Microphone (B&H) bhpho.to/3H5wxhO
Godox SL60 (w/folding beauty dish) (B&H) bhpho.to/3bQ6U6b
B+W UV/Haze filters @ B&H: bhpho.to/3CTBqbn
Hoya "Protector" Filters @ B&H: bhpho.to/3bW7wr0
Intro: 0:04
The debate: 0:23
Why filters: : 2:34
Target tests: 4:04
Video tests: 13:17
Backlit test: 14:08
Conclusion: 14:15
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Пікірлер: 34

@zwykyszaryobywatel20 Ай бұрын

The best test, thank you

@Mr09260 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting Raymond ..You certainly got me thinking

@RaymondParkerPhoto 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the exploration, Peter. Thanks for watching.

@gosman949 3 жыл бұрын

I have been using B+W Clear MRC Nano filters for years. About $55 US. They do break easily though. I broke one a few years back by barely dropping it. But maybe it did protect the lens. Hoya has some now that are into the $125 range and I wonder if those are worth it? The HD3 UV protector to be specific.

@RaymondParkerPhoto 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I've used the B+W Clear MRC Nano extensively, also their "Haze" filters. Haven't had one break yet. Also have Rodenstock, Nikon, and recently tried a Hoya "Protector Pro" ($50) which, along with the B+W, were part of the test. I was impressed with its quality and neutrality.

@BigBenAdv 8 ай бұрын

I do actually still use neutral/ UV filters to protect my miniscule collection of 3 lenses - only because 2 of them are vintage lenses that are harder to come by (a good copy) and one is native with AF capabilities. I simply wouldn't want to shell out the kind of monies to replace them. TBH, with a quality piece of filter, there should be minimal to no loss of IQ or contrast. In fact, when dealing with much older vintage lenses that may not necessarily have multi-coating or have coatings that have been degraded (due to cleaning etc.), a high quality MC filter might actually help because of the cutting down of reflections. I an see how professionals who do very technical shoots may choose not to use filters on high-end glass. They might have insurance or backup lenses to cover the costs of repairs or replacements easily. I vaguely recall at one point in time (some 15 to 20 years back) that Canon offered a (paid) programme for professional photographers where-in Canon would provide a loan replacement unit whilst the faulty lense is under repair (most of the photogs I knew who took that up were pretty much using lenses in the mid-high 4 digits to 5 digits range. In such a case, they could afford the luxury of just letting the front element take the brunt of damages (and on a lot of these much more expensive lenses, the front element is actually a protective filter to begin with).

@tgrunnet9050 4 күн бұрын

It would be fine if you could repeat the testing using a higher resolution camera like Z7/Z8/Z9 and telelenses from 200mm and up. I have found very visible differences using B&W to my surprise.

@RaymondParkerPhoto 4 күн бұрын

Hi. Do you mean B+W from Schneider-Kreuznach? If so, I have B+W in 77mm (010 UV - Haze) which fits the 70-200. Since I have a follow-up in the works I'd be happy to throw that test into the mix. Might take a few months though; I have a $*%!tonne of work backlogged.

@WhoIsSerafin 4 ай бұрын

There was a very sophisticated test done with lasers several years ago with dozens of UV filter brands and prices. And the best didn’t always do the best. Some brands did affect it seriously and others made no differences. So it depends.

@johngeiger1257 2 жыл бұрын

I worked for a major manufacturer as a technical camera specialist in TV. I remember there was a football player that "signed" the lens as he was being interviewed after a game. The chemicals in the ink destroyed the coating on the lens, and therefore the lens. That was a expensive mistake for that ball player. Made me think about protective glass on my SLR. Likely there are color shifts between manufactures of protective lens just like ND. All TV broadcast cameras use a electronic white balance offset (preadjusted) as you roll in ND. Thanks for your video, I've been looking for opinion on UV vs clear vs skylight, etc between manufacturers and ran into your channel!

@RaymondParkerPhoto 2 жыл бұрын

Hi John. Glad this video helped. I bet that was a *mighty* expensive mistake! Yes, there are definitely variations between manufacturers, filters, and even lenses of the same brand, so critical work usually requires work in post. You might be interested in these two related videos: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mqiVmLx-p9ayY2w.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/f9mhi7aW1pOZkoE.html

@Stabilized 5 ай бұрын

What's the music at 4:54? Great video btw!

@RaymondParkerPhoto 5 ай бұрын

Thanks. Sorry I can't remember the music I used here.

@paulbusby2013 2 жыл бұрын

I do use clear filters. I asked this question on a Z6/7 FB group & got a variety of answers. However, a little loss of contrast is enough for many not to use them! I’m unconvinced that comparing test chart images is terribly useful. I will conduct some tests with bright point-sources at night.

@RaymondParkerPhoto 2 жыл бұрын

You'll always get a variety of answers on FB groups, many based on nothing more than hearsay and people dropping weighted steel bars onto lenses from height. 😀 I'd be interested to hear the results of your tests. Similar tests I've done (including the backlit test in this video) have not seen any deleterious effect.

@paulbusby2013 2 жыл бұрын

@@RaymondParkerPhoto - I did some preliminary tests last night - handheld with some bright LED lampposts & saw no extra ghosting. I'll repeat with a tripod & 10 stops lower ISO. Needless to say, I always use the supplied lens-hood. One rarely mentioned advantage of prime lenses is that their hoods are optimised for a single focal length.

@Narcoplexic 8 ай бұрын

My thoughts are that it really depends on the quality of the filter being used. Some, cheaper one's, will absolutely degrade image quality, making it hard if not impossible to get a locked on focus. While some, nicer more expensive filters, will not degrade the image quality, or if they do it is so subtle it doesn't affect the focus locking on, being clear.

@RaymondParkerPhoto 8 ай бұрын

Yes, I covered that in the video. It was one of the main points.

@selianboy8508 3 жыл бұрын

I have not used a filter lens on my lenses for probably over 30 years... always use to before that but never since then. But it likely is that I change my lenses every 5 to 6 years anyway so have never thought that there is a need to. YOu are completely correct though - if I was heading off to a particularly dusty area I would certainly invest.

@RaymondParkerPhoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers!

@harlowpinson5678 6 ай бұрын

4:04 I'm seeing a big difference. Filtered left image whites are yellowish, and blacks are a bit faded. The image on the right, without the filter shows more contrast. Whites are whiter, and blacks are blacker.

@paulf3353 2 ай бұрын

Yep, I can see it even with youtube compression

@jessehorstman Жыл бұрын

Thanks.

@RaymondParkerPhoto Жыл бұрын

No worries!

@johnscratchley3288 3 жыл бұрын

Don't use a lot of protective filters and always have a soft cloth or some lens wipes handy. A lot depends on the season.

@RaymondParkerPhoto 3 жыл бұрын

More importantly, it depends on the other "components," shall we say, of the contamination, like dust and grit. Modern lenses have coatings to repel water, but I'm not convinced it's a good idea to clean the front element too often. As I recount in the video, I have UV filters from my mountaineering days that I turned into what are commonly called "mist" or diffusion filters. 😀 Since I buy a protective filter with all my lenses, I've never even touched the front element, and I've never had cause to clean one.

@keithlaw95 3 жыл бұрын

Me I think the us type changes the color I use clear glass filters I use the BW brand

@RaymondParkerPhoto 3 жыл бұрын

Some filters have a colour cast, for sure. B+W has been my go-to filter for decades. Recently, I tried the Hoya "Protector" which is fitted to the 85mm S in these tests. As evident, particularly in the later video tests, there's no colour change in any of the comparisons.

@LelleKidd 5 ай бұрын

A big flat glass surface in front of your front lens precisely calculated geometry. Use a lens cap to protect the lens.

@RaymondParkerPhoto 5 ай бұрын

Though, believe me, I do try sometimes, it's hard to shoot through a lens cap.

@dsa4931 6 ай бұрын

Makes no diffence actually at normal picture size........😊😊😊 Just forget it .....

@perigee1275 Жыл бұрын

Photographers, please stop worrying about how perfect your gear is and TAKE THE PICTURES.

@RaymondParkerPhoto Жыл бұрын

The two aren't mutually exclusive.

@charles9126 3 ай бұрын

The most important aspect of photography is seeing the photo, framing it and taking it. I agree with your comment. Most people already have the right gear to do those three things.

21:13

UV/Clear Filters | Do They Degrade The Image

Anthony Toglife

Рет қаралды 2,1 М.