Prices and stock may differ due to devaluation of Pkr and Global chip shortage, however we will confirm the current prices and stock on order confirmation call.

Blog

UV Filter: What UV Protection Filter Should You Buy?
Nikon 82mm UV Protector Filter

UV Filter: What UV Protection Filter Should You Buy?

The discussion about UV protection filters for lenses has been ongoing. Opinions vary: some believe modern coatings suffice, and low-quality UV filters can degrade photo quality. Some view lenses as delicate. High-quality optical glass is fragile; wind, sand, or stray light can harm it. For these users, UV protection filters serve as insurance for expensive lenses. Many agree that a quality UV filter won’t compromise image quality.

Ultimately, if you choose to buy a UV protection filter, it is a personal choice. But if you do decide to purchase one, it’s best to opt for a high-quality option to keep your lenses safe and your images stunning filter.

In this blog, you will explore UV filters and what UV protection filters you should buy. Let’s get started.

What is a UV lens filter?

A UV protection lens filter easily attaches to the front of a camera lens, helping to reduce the amount of ultraviolet light that enters the camera. This feature is particularly important for film photography because film stock is more sensitive to UV light, which can lead to discoloration in photos. While digital cameras aren’t as affected by UV light, many photographers use UV filters to safeguard the front elements of their lenses.

What does a UV protection lens filter do?

  • Minimize ultraviolet light exposure.
  • Safeguard the lens against scratches.
  • Shield the lens from dust, liquids, and other dangers.

Should You Use A UV Filter On Your Lens?

Some photographers choose to keep UV filters on their lenses almost all the time, while others prefer not to. So, who’s right? Should you consider buying UV or clear protective filters for each lens? It’s a topic that sparks plenty of lively debates among photographers. The forums have hosted many engaging discussions about this. One thing we can confidently say is that there isn’t a clear-cut answer to this question.

Can UV Protection Filters Provide Protection For Camera Lenses?

The answer is a resounding yes if you’re curious whether UV protection filters can keep your camera lenses safe. These handy filters act like a trusty shield, protecting the front element of your lens from scratches, dust, dirt, and moisture, which helps prevent potential lens damage. Plus, cleaning UV filters is often much simpler than cleaning the lens. And if a filter gets damaged, replacing it is usually much more affordable than fixing or replacing a lens.

It’s important to remember that even a strong impact can potentially harm both the UV filters and the lens. However, in those less serious accidents, the UV filters shine by blocking most of the damage they encounter in the lens.

Do UV Protection Filters Cause Flare

UV protection filters can sometimes lead to a bit of lens flare, especially if they’re not the best quality. Lens flare occurs when light bounces off the filter’s surfaces and sneaks into the lens, creating those annoying artifacts in your photos. You might notice this more when shooting in bright lighting, like direct sunlight or those bright studio lights.

The good news is that high-quality UV filters are designed to handle these issues. They usually come with multi-coating layers that help reduce reflections and boost light transmission to enjoy clearer images with minimal flare. When you opt for a UV filter, choosing a high-quality one is a smart way to keep your shots looking their best.

What kind of UV protection filters are of high quality?

High-quality UV protection filters are designed with several fantastic features: they use top-notch optical glass, like kfconcept or Hoya, to ensure crystal-clear images with minimal distortion.

They also incorporate advanced multi-coating technologies such as Multi-Resistant Coating (MRC), Super Multi-Coating (SMC), and Nano Coating, which reduce reflections, lens flare, and ghosting while maximizing light transmission. Built with durable materials like brass or high-grade aluminum, these filters offer a robust frame that stays strong over time.

Additionally, they include scratch and water resistance to keep them clear and performing at their best. With their slim profile, they cleverly avoid vignetting, especially on wide-angle lenses, and are manufactured with precision to ensure a perfect fit and alignment.

Best UV Protection Filters You Can Buy

Discover the top UV protection filters available for you:

Nikon 77mm UV Protector Filter 

The Nikon 77mm UV Protector Filter is a versatile, clear filter that protects your lens from dust, scratches, moisture, and other environmental elements. It is ideal for always leaving on your lens, providing an extra assurance layer against accidental drops.

This filter features a UV coating that absorbs ultraviolet light, helping to reduce the bluish cast often seen in daylight photography. Importantly, it does not impart additional coloration or contrast, making it compatible with other filters. It is constructed from optical glass and a precisely milled aluminum frame, these filters are designed for durability and performance. Their clear design ensures no additional coloration or contrast is introduced, allowing seamless pairing with other filters.

The 77mm UV Filter offers continuous lens protection against dust, moisture, drops, and scratches. Its multi-coated design reduces flare, ghosting, and reflections, achieving about 96% light transmission and enhancing contrast and color fidelity.

Nikon 67mm UV Protector Filter

The Nikon 67mm UV Protector Filter is a simple, clear filter with a 1x filter factor designed to provide general protection for your lens. This fantastic multi-coated, optically clear filter protects your lens beautifully, keeping it safe from dust, scratches, moisture, and other pesky elements, all without compromising your overall image quality.

This filter comes with easy Installation. The user must attach the filter to their lens for immediate protection and improved shots. Users will get optimal clarity. With this filter’s ability to minimize glare and haze, they can enjoy uncompromised image quality. The filter comes with UV protection, and it shields your lens with this 67mm UV filter, ensuring your photos remain clear and vivid.

One of the greatest features of this filter is its fantastic multi-compatibility. It’s tailored for Nikon 18-105mm and 18-140mm lenses, making it a versatile choice for various DSLRs. Even more exciting is that this lens filter is crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring that it stands up beautifully to the challenges of photography.

Nikon 72mm UV Protector Filter

The Nikon 72mm UV Protector Filter is a versatile and essential accessory for photographers, serving as a clear 72mm filter specifically designed to protect your lens from common threats such as dust, scratches, moisture, and other environmental elements. Its design makes it ideal for always leaving on a lens, providing assurance against accidental drops and potential damage during everyday use.

In addition to its protective features, this filter is equipped with a special coating that helps to absorb ultraviolet light. This capability effectively reduces the bluish tint often in daylight, ensuring that your images retain true-to-life colors. Remarkably, it does not introduce any additional coloration or contrast, allowing for seamless pairing with other filters you may use.

Ultimately, this protective filter prevents dust, moisture, and scratches from reaching the delicate lens elements, making it a must-have for any serious photographer looking to safeguard their investment in camera equipment.

Nikon 82mm UV Protector Filter

The Nikon 82mm UV Protector Filter is a versatile and essential accessory for photographers, serving as a general-use, clear filter designed to protect your valuable lens from various environmental hazards such as dust, scratches, moisture, and other potentially damaging elements. It is particularly beneficial for keeping on your lens at all times, as it offers an added layer of assurance against accidental drops, ensuring your gear remains in optimal condition. Furthermore, this high-quality filter incorporates a specialized coating to effectively absorb ultraviolet light, minimizing the bluish cast in daylight.

This clear filter does not add color or contrast to your images, making it perfect for use alongside other filters. By reducing the risk of damage from dust and moisture, the 82mm Filter is a crucial component for any photographer’s toolkit, ensuring clear and high-quality image capture.

You can add these UV filters to your camera bag if you are searching for them. Add these filters to your cart at Golden Camera.

Factors To Consider When Buying A UV Filter

Read about the factors that you need to consider whenever you are buying a UV filter:

Light Transmission/Reflection Rate

When it comes to photography, light transmission is incredibly important. The higher the light transmission value, the more light can pass through the filter. However, light that gets reflected can, unfortunately, degrade the quality of your images: it reduces contrast and can lead to annoying lens flares or ghosting effects.

You’ll typically see this value expressed as a percentage between 90% and 99.9%. Some companies prefer to express the reflection rate instead, and they do this by subtracting the light transmission value from 100. For instance, if a filter has a light transmission rate of 99%, it cleverly has a reflection rate of just 1%.

To summarize, the higher the light transmission value or the lower the reflection rate, the better the filter.

Slim Profile

A lens filter can be thicker, but it’s best if it’s smaller. Budget filters with large, thick rings can sometimes lead to unwanted vignetting or light falloff in your images. You might notice this effect more on wide-angle lenses, but it’s also possible to encounter it with standard focal lengths.

It’s important to keep an eye on your lens filter thickness. If it’s too thin and touches the front element of your lens, it might lead to scratches, which we want to avoid. Be cautious, as some budget-friendly “ultra-thin” filters can cause damage. Ensure the filter gently floats above the lens element to keep everything safe and sound.

Coatings

Lens coatings serve two main purposes, and they’re important. First, they boost the contrast of your lenses, making your images pop with clarity. In the early days of photography, multi-coatings significantly improved color rendering and overall image contrast.

Modern multi-coatings take it further by offering handy features like anti-static, water-repellent, and oil repellent. This means your filters stay cleaner for longer, helping to avoid any degradation in image quality caused by dirt and dust settling on your lens.

Many modern camera lenses have special coatings that enhance performance, but budget lens filters often lack these helpful features. That’s why you might notice an improvement in image quality when you remove these filters. Adding a filter that doesn’t have these coatings can reduce the advantages of the native lens coatings that are already working for you.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to UV protection filters, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some photographers swear by them for that extra layer of lens protection, while others avoid them, concerned about potential impacts on image quality. However, with today’s high-quality UV filters, the risk of compromising your photos is minimal, especially when you choose trusted brands with advanced coatings and durable materials.

If you want to shield your lens from scratches, dust, or accidental bumps, a UV filter can be a smart investment to safeguard your gear. Remember, if you decide to use one, always opt for a premium filter that complements your lens’s performance rather than detracts from it. Ultimately, protecting your valuable equipment while maintaining stunning image quality is what truly matters.

Categories
×
Shopping cart close