UV Filters on Digital

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Steve West - 06 Jan 2005 20:32 GMT

Hello all,

I just want to try and clear something up. I have a D70 and am going to add
a UV filter, primarily to protect the lens, but what I really want to know
is will it have any haze reducing or other effect on the images (as it would
on a film camera).

I have read various conflicting statements on the sensitivity of CCD's in
digital cameras to UV light. Can someone please confirm whether or not
CCD's are sensitive to UV and hence whether or not there is an optical
effect comparable to that seen with a film camera.

Finally, can anyone recommend a decent filter which is good enough to be
left on all the time - I was thinking about getting a Hoya super HMC pro-1
UV filter.

Thanks

Steve

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Jeremy Nixon - 06 Jan 2005 21:51 GMT

> I have read various conflicting statements on the sensitivity of CCD's in
> digital cameras to UV light. Can someone please confirm whether or not
> CCD's are sensitive to UV and hence whether or not there is an optical
> effect comparable to that seen with a film camera.

Digital is not nearly as UV-sensitive as film. It is far more sensitive to
infrared. The camera has an infrared-blocking filter built in for this
reason, but the effectiveness varies from one camera to another -- it can
actually cause color shifts, for example in some IR-reflective fabrics or
in skin, depending on how complete the IR blocking is.

I've got a B+W 486 IR/UV blocking filter that takes care of both IR and UV.
But it's not suitable for "lens protection" because it is very expensive.
It would cost more to replace than, say, my 50mm lens. :)

I used to use filters for lens protection. I've stopped, though; I have
lens hoods that provide adequate protection against impact, and that works
well enough for me, so I can't comment on what specific UV filters would
be best -- just that you should get the best one you can, because you'll
be taking all of your pictures through it. Hoya Super HMC filters are
generally good in that respect, though I tend to go with B+W for the (few)
filters I use.

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Jeremy | jeremy@exit109.com

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Bart van der Wolf - 07 Jan 2005 00:02 GMT

SNIP

> Can someone please confirm whether or not CCD's are
> sensitive to UV and hence whether or not there is an optical
> effect comparable to that seen with a film camera.

CCDs are sensitive down to about 350 nm.

Bart

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Musty - 07 Jan 2005 04:30 GMT

> Hello all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> left on all the time - I was thinking about getting a Hoya super HMC pro-1
> UV filter.

I use the Hoya SHMC for my 17-85mm IS. It works great.

> Thanks
>
> Steve

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Ken Palmateer - 07 Jan 2005 19:38 GMT

>> Hello all,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
>I use the Hoya SHMC for my 17-85mm IS. It works great.

I cannot notice any real difference, although for macro work I tend
tend to take the filter off. (I'm a fan of B &W filters). Ken

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Gaderian - 08 Jan 2005 16:34 GMT

> Hello all,
> I just want to try and clear something up. I have a D70 and am going
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> be left on all the time - I was thinking about getting a Hoya super
> HMC pro-1 UV filter.

Like you I use the filter to primarily to protect my lens but discovered
this when using my Pentax *ist for night shots. Normally I remove all
filters for night times shots but sometimes I get lazy. I noticed the
cheaper UV lenses had a reflection in some of the shots of the night-time
city skyline. Then I bought a good filter, Hoya HMC Super multi coated
UV(0) filter, then the problem went away. I went and bought this type of
filter for all of my lenses and have had no problems at all.

I know people will argue for and against UV filters on DSLR's but I'm still
stuck with the idea of using the filter in most conditions to protect my
lens investment.

My 2 cents worth.

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