Beginner question, is it best to use a clear filter to protect this lens or will it affect the quality at all?
1337725
No such thing as better or not. Really depends on what you shoot and how you shoot. I use it only because it is good protection for my lens. Since the SONY 1.8/55mm is a great lens, I use an equally good filter produced by Carl Zeiss.
1337726
It is best to not use a clear filter. A UV/clear filter can indeed affect image quality, particularly when the sun is in the frame. This can result in some rather un-attractive flare and blobs. As long as you keep the hood on when shooting, the front element should be protected, unless you are unreasonably hard with your gear.
1337727
You should absolutely protect you investment. Use a filter. The picture affect is so finite that you really cant tell if a picture was shot with a filter or not. In my case, better a cracked piece of glass from the filter vs. a cracked or scratched lens. Its even good to have on to protect from dust and debris.
1337728
I think that is a personal choice that is debated in many groups. Personally, I do not for what I shoot but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't.
1337729
There are two schools of thought. I would say the most important question answer personally is whether you are intending on selling the lens at some point afterward in almost new condition. If you are then keeping a clear filter will keep it looking new. There is a small optical penalty to the clear filter. Whether you will be able to tell is also a personal choice. I would say a new phtotographer won't notice the difference.
1337730
Yes, don't listen to these yahoo's who tell you not too. You are protecting your investment. Better to crack a filter than the actual lens, especially a more expensive one. And to the person who said it affects lens flaring... that's what a lens hood is for.I slap a $10 Vivitar on every lens I get. From my nifty-fifty Minolta to my Zeiss and G lenses. There is practically no difference in image quality and if anything it might be better. I am a professional photographer who shoots weddings, portraits, landscapes, etc and never take my equipment without protection.
1337731
Get a high quality uv filter and it will protect the front element of your lens and also help filter UV light. You won't notice any degradation in image quality.
1337732
It shouldn't affect the quality if it's clean. If it makes you feel safer, feel free to use it.
1337733
I attach low cost clear filters on all of my lenses for protection from dusts, deposits and finger prints on the glass. Thus, I have never wiped, never contacted the lens glass. I clean the filters by using water from reverse osmosis in my kitchen whenever I find deposits and/or dusts on the filter glass. To my tests, I do not see my low cost filters make any adverse effects on the pictures taken by myself.
2019782
I use a Hoya Green Label (uncoated) 46mm UV filter purely for protection from dirt and "me". I got mine from camerafilters.com for @$10, maybe less. The main concern for me was getting one that I knew would clear the lense tunnel, as no one seemed to know what fit my FZ28 at the time. I've taken hundreds of shots just for comparison, I see no difference in image quality. I now leave it on inside and out. I prefer the uncoated, as they seem easier to clean. (A lenspen works great for the filter and lens)Edit: You do mean F"Z" 35 don't you?? You posted FX35..
2163747
Above answers look good. Generally no, but..... A filter should be in a mount that is screwed into the lens, and the front of the mount should have the same thread as the lens so that accessories can be screwed into the filter mount in exactly the same way they would be screwed into the lens. You have to check your filter to see what, if any threads it has on the front. In any event, you can probably find an alternate way to mount the light.
642636
I'm guessing you mean a 'thin mount' filter? The only reason to use a thin mount filter would be to avoid vignetting. I have not used a filter with this lens at all. Unless I absolutely have to have one, I stay away from anything but the actual lens glass itself. Occasionally (very occasionally) I'll put a CPL on, but that is about the only case.
645062
Depending on the lens, it's not usually a good idea to use both filters. UV haze filters are pretty useless and are usually mostly to protect the lens, which the polarizer will do. Unless you spend a lot on a UV filter, it's actually going to degrade the quality of the image. If you stack too many filters together you start to get a vignette effect because it lengthens the barrel of the lens, and the inferior glass will degrade the quality of the image further. Use the circular polarizer to reduce glare and reflections or to stop down a fast lens to use in bright light, otherwise use the UV filter or no filter. Depending on the lens, it's not usually a good idea to use both filters. UV haze filters are pretty useless and are usually mostly to protect the lens, which the polarizer will do. Unless you spend a lot on a UV filter, it's actually going to degrade the quality of the image. If you stack too many filters together you start to get a vignette effect because it lengthens the barrel of the lens, and the inferior glass will degrade the quality of the image further. Use the circular polarizer to reduce glare and reflections or to stop down a fast lens to use in bright light, otherwise use the UV... » Read More Depending on the lens, it's not usually a good idea to use both filters. UV haze filters are pretty useless and are usually mostly to protect the lens, which the polarizer will do. Unless you spend a lot on a UV filter, it's actually going to degrade the quality of the image. If you stack too many filters together you start to get a vignette effect because it lengthens the barrel of the lens, and the inferior glass will degrade the quality of the image further. Use the circular polarizer to reduce glare and reflections or to stop down a fast lens to use in bright light, otherwise use the UV filter or no filter. « Show Less
2167916
Hey Aaron, I actually haven't used a filter with this lens/camera setup yet. I am afraid that my NX1100 is not living up to what I had hoped and may soon find a good home. Hope you have better luck with yours!
72335
Just a novice, but I installed a 52mm screw-on UV filter on the front of the lens to protect it from scratches. This keeps dirt off the lens and allows me to clean only the filter with alcohol wipes without fear of damaging the lens. If the UV filter gets scratched, it is easily, and most importantly, inexpensively replaced. Check with a real camera store for cleaning materials for lenses. On-line searches for camera forums should also provide a wealth of information.
1026381
If you are taking snapshots with a DSLR then almost any UV filter can protect the lens. I prefer to spend minimal time in post production and typically purchase B&W; because they seem to have the best coatings and glass. Some less expensive filters will produce strange distortions and colors in photographs.
1008479
Yes, it's a good lens to start with. I will recommend also for better results to get UV and Circular Polarization filters. The first one is a must, because it not only improves the overall quality of the pictures (for example: the clouds show with better contrast), but also protects the lens from damage. I am using this lens for more than a year and I am very happy with the quality of the pictures.
1789716
My primary reason for using this UV filter is to shield the front lens element from dirt, grime, and fingerprints. The quality of the filter is perfectly adequate and does not affect my imagess at all. Photographers seem to be split down the middle whether one should or should not always use a UV filter but since I see absolutely no difference in my photos both with and without the filter, it seems both prudent and convenient to use it. I'd rather subject the filter than the lens to the inevitable cleanings. especially in the field.
1273213
I belive it's best to have the best filters on my lens that I can afford. It will save the lens if it is dropped and can be repaird. Which has happened to me
1469534
You can get a filter, but the depth of the lens hood obviates the need for it. I just got back from Australia shooting with the lens in all weather and conditions and did not use a filter. Better images that way as well.Regards,Evan
1727075
I had NO problem using the 52mm filters on my Lens.I use a neutral density filter to protect my lens.
255536
The filter size is 72mm. Either a Daylight or a UV filter will protect your lens without affecting your photos.
1026382
There are LOTS of lens filter manufacturers out there, but the key requirement is quality glass, ground FLAT. You spend a good deal of money on a Nikon lens; to have it deliver the quality you paid for, don't put a cheap filter that may distort the light coming in--stick with either Nikon proprietary lens filters, or B&W.;
270521
many use an UV filter to protect the lens... you can use ND filter to cut down the light and capture the motion blur of your subject (e.g. water movement and so on). It depends what kind of effect you want apply to your picture, many effects are actually applicable on camera directly. If you mean to use a filter to correct defects, I don't see any defect that you could fix with a filter.The lens is versatile (compact, light and WR) but it's not famous for its resolution.Hope that clarify your doubts.
2171803
Hi: I bought this for a friend. He has not taken a lot of pictures yet as he is just getting through the change from film to digital. I have looked at most of the pictures he has taken and I have not seen any evidence of any undesirable effects from using this filter holder and the clear filter.