{"id":2595,"date":"2010-02-27T20:17:19","date_gmt":"2010-02-28T00:17:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neilvn.com\/tangents\/?p=2595"},"modified":"2017-08-11T10:10:21","modified_gmt":"2017-08-11T14:10:21","slug":"using-filters-on-your-lenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neilvn.com\/tangents\/using-filters-on-your-lenses\/","title":{"rendered":"Should you use a filter on your lens?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Should you use a filter on your lenses?<\/h1>\n

It’s a constant debate whether it is a good idea to use a UV \/ skylight filter on your lens for protection. \u00a0There are viable arguments for either choice. During this recent shoot with Jeannie Dee<\/a>, I immediately noticed that with these heavily backlit portraits, I was getting an unusual amount of flare \u2026 and removing the filter on front of the lens immediately helped.\u00a0Noticeably so!<\/p>\n

Shooting towards a bright light source or a bright background, is one time where NOT using a filter makes absolute sense.
\nYou risk getting lens flare, no matter how good the filter is. This amount of flare doesn’t necessarily mean the image is unusable though.<\/p>\n

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Here is the original image again (shown above), and shown below,\u00a0with the levels<\/strong> and contrast<\/strong> adjusted and the colors warmed up in Photoshop.<\/p>\n

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Here are the two points that I change on the Levels layer … the mid-tones<\/strong> and the black level<\/strong>. \u00a0Then I add some contrast with curves on another layer. \u00a0It is an improvement, but with this image there is still a gradation in tones noticeable from the top to the bottom.<\/p>\n

As always, the ideal is to get the best image quality we can, IN camera already.<\/p>\n

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Using lens flare for special effect<\/h2>\n

Of course, lens flare can be used for effect<\/a>. \u00a0In this image here, I feel that the bit of lens flare in the bottom of the image helps to frame \u00a0her face.<\/p>\n

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Examples where using a filter saved me from trouble and expense<\/h2>\n

In comparison, here are two examples of where I filter saved me a lot of trouble, and a lot of expense.<\/p>\n

This is the *splat* that a floating bubble left on my filter at a wedding shoot. When they have bubbles after the ceremony when the couple leaves the church, then the bubbles become hard to avoid. \u00a0And this spot is hard to clean without using water .. something I’d rather not put my lens through. \u00a0(The white stripes are just the blinds in my office reflected in the filter.)<\/p>\n

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This image of\u00a0a shattered filter which had protected my lens<\/a>, is something I’ve already posted about before. \u00a0I truly believe this filter saved my lens from considerable damage.<\/p>\n

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So, should you use a filter? \u00a0It depends entirely on where you shoot and what you shoot. Do you need your lens protected? \u00a0Are you risking flare? \u00a0Balance these needs and requirements and there’s the answer. \u00a0Sometimes you need a filter, but quite often, it makes most sense not to use one. Best not to argue about it, and just adapt your choice on the shooting situation you find yourself in.<\/p>\n

Lens hoods are probably the best protection for your lenses<\/a>, and it makes sense on every level to use a lens hood. They help protect against accidental dings and knocks.<\/p>\n

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Related articles<\/h2>\n