This video prompts me to suggest that you make a comparison test using three different UV filters (cheap, mid-priced, expensive) and see if the more expensive filters are worth their cost.

@rileyphotos

Жыл бұрын

Hey Stephen, that’s a great idea, I’ll order some and give it a try. Watch this space! Thanks for the idea and for watching, much appreciated 😊

I was able to distinguish the difference in most (albeit not all) of these before you revealed the results. As you noted, to varying degrees the filter tended to soften fine details or wash out the contrast. But I also noticed a color shift in highlights.. a slight but unattractive yellow/green cast seemed to be added by the filter. I also tested this with my own UV filters, as well, and the color shifts exactly match the color of the filter coating. So.. except for sand and sea salt environments, seems I'm going to be abandoning my old filter habit, after all!

This comes down to the quality UV filter you purchase, B&W and Hoya are pretty good

I have a friend who at one point was shooting outside in all sorts of conditions and leaving his lens cap off between shots. He found that despite careful filter cleaning after or even during each photographic outing, that after a couple of years he would throw away the nice quality filter and purchase a new one, as the old filter had suffered from micro scratches. I am conscious that without a lens hood, a filter at the front of the lens may indeed get negatively affected by light hitting from the sides. That's why on film productions, barn door are frequently used on cameras in order to reduce side flare. I like this video and your explanation and testing, so much so that I'm going to do some of my own tests soon 🙂

@rileyphotos

4 ай бұрын

That’s really interesting that your friend did that. Thank you for your comments and let us know how your tests go 👍🏻

Interesting video, I've always put UV filters on my lenses, I think the work I do that being portrait photography. pin-sharp images are not the be-all and end-all I think it is only when doing high end commercial photography that it will make the difference.

@rileyphotos

Ай бұрын

Couldn’t agree more Andrew. The pursuit of sharper and sharper images isn’t always the holy grail. Skin pores, mascara clumps, stray hairs not to mention lines and wrinkles are not the friend of portrait photographers. And of course the great photographers of the 50,60,70,80’s produced inspirational images with nowhere near the sharpness of a modern lens.

The differences are sooo small that they can only be detected by zooming in to side by side images. Who does that when they are admiring your work? Sharpness differences are incredibly small and colour saturation can be easily adjusted in post. Like most photographers, I upgrade lenses from time to time and even tiny marks on lens glass can make your lens almost unsellable so I'm going to continue to use UV filters on all my lenses simply to protect my investment.

@rileyphotos

6 ай бұрын

Yup, couldn’t agree more. I have had to buy numerous new UV filters over the years after I’ve noticed a small scratch on one. Thank goodness it was there to take the scratch instead of the lens. I agree with you, the difference is so small it isn’t worth the risk, but I have to admit that I was surprised that there was any difference at all.

I usually use only Nikon NC filters on my lenses not UV filters. I have also used Hoya Fusion One Protector filters which I don't think are UV. I love the heavy brass frame on the Nikon filters.

No UV always produces a better image. I wonder if a high quality filter like B&W makes a difference?

@Zayras7

Жыл бұрын

I tested a B&W with my Fuji lenses and to my surprise, it did make a difference. I personally prefer to not use the UV filter, but occasionally I do find it more difficult to clean the lens without the UV filter. Not to mention I try to be more careful with the lens now.

As I understand it, film is sensitive to UV whereas digital sensors are little affected. The UV appears as haze on film, so that's why you would use it. On a digital camera, there's not point in it, and it may produce poorer results. Thanks for uploading.

@rileyphotos

2 ай бұрын

You’re absolutely right, film was way more sensitive to UV but even then it’s was only a tiny difference, and the real reason everyone fitted a UV filter had little to do with UV, and everything to do with protecting the front element of your lens from scratches. That’s no different today, either film or digital, so the video was more about whether the UV filter actually effected the digital image or not. Some say yes, some say no, some say yes but it’s worth it to protect the lens. I always fit them, and am often surprised that although I’m really careful to protect my lenses, I often notice surface scratches on them and have to replace the filter. But at least it’s cheaper than replacing the lens. Thanks for watching and commenting, I really appreciate it 👍🏻

@AllensTrains

2 ай бұрын

@@rileyphotos I have recently acquired a Sony HDR-CX625. I noticed it was possible to fit a filter, so I tried a UV filter thinking that would stop dust getting into the mechanism. A UV filter makes no difference. However, I did find a polariser makes the sky darker, if you want that effect! I have still got all my film cameras, lenses and filters. But they are gathering dust! Film is so expensive these days, and modern digital cameras are so good. You've got to face the fact that film has gone the same way as glass plates!

Very interesting!!!! Pray tell....what will you do in the future? You have me thinking that I will avoid filters unless conditions such as salt water spray are present and as long as a lens hood can be used. As a frugal amateur on a "beer budget", I do cringe a bit at the idea of using my Olympus Pro lenses without a protective filter but, why risk compromise image quality? Thanks for a very informative video.

@rileyphotos

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Stephen I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hat will I do in the future regarding UV? That’s a good question. I suppose ai need to think about where the finished image is being used. Most of my professional work ends up on websites and social media, and I cannot see that the small difference in image quality would be even visible here. I think if I were shooting a project that was going to printed BIG, maybe a vinyl covering a wall, or the front cover if a magazine, I’ll take the UV off, but for general pr work that has a short shelf life and is only seen on computer screens and phones, the UV is going to help me operate in the wet dusty conditions I often find myself shooting in, it’s going to protect my lenses when I need to clean them on the go. 👍🏻

Best to just stick to clear glass protection filters, like Sigma WR or something, although even they are clear, they still have some impact which is why you should use them only for jobs you know have harsh environments, like sandy places, windy places, maybe you are inside a workshop and there sparks flying, use a filter its not really all that much of a rocket science, filters should only be used when you need them.

still tho, UV filters are alright if you get the super multi coated ones and make sure your glass is as clean as possible, if you like them use them, just take the photos you like

Let's take also in account that using a lens hood might improve image quality (less haze)

@rileyphotos

Жыл бұрын

Well said Luc, you’re absolutely right, I did a video a while ago about that very thing. Here it is kzread.info/dash/bejne/l3edt6mzmtPVZ7A.html thanks for watching 👍🏻

What was the brand and model you used?

@rileyphotos

Жыл бұрын

It was a Hoya filter, from memory I think it was the HD mk II model

7:38 so the with UV mean no filter in this case? I’m a bit confused to be honest. Did you mix them up?

@rileyphotos

Ай бұрын

Ooops, looks like I got the text mixed up on that one🤪, the text is the wrong way round! Well spotted Richard 👏👏👏

@RichardT2112

Ай бұрын

@@rileyphotos I’m sober 2/24 hours each day, so glad it was during my “pay attention “ time 😂

Everyone has their own perceivable risk. My question is are the pros with $5000 lenses on a do or die assignment putting a UV filter on their lenses? As you said, a filter is wafer thin with no support so of course it breaks, but the glass in the lens is thick and very strong.

@rileyphotos

6 ай бұрын

It’s not so much the breaking that bothers me. During my career I have had to order so many replacement filters because when I cleaned the lens I noticed a scratch on the filter. How they get there? Hell, I have no idea, but you just look one day and there’s a scratch looking back at you. So I replace the filter, and thank my lucky starts it was there to take the scratch.

Try $170 for a UV lens filter

@rileyphotos

4 ай бұрын

You want me to buy a $170 filter, to make a film for you to watch? Ok, let me think about that one 🤣

This guy is always so cold

@rileyphotos

7 ай бұрын

Cold? I’m blooming freezing 🥶

I've seen quite a bit of Jared Polin's channel over the years. It isn't half as good as yours.

@rileyphotos

Жыл бұрын

You have just made it all worth while. That is the nicest comment I’ve ever had. Thank you so much. I wish you could see how much It am smiling right now 😊 thank you

@Cotictimmy

Жыл бұрын

@@rileyphotos No B.S. and you don't sneer at your viewers, and you are NOT constantly jumping into unnatural, formulaic speech every other minute. A much more relaxed, friendly vibe on your videos - so they're much more watchable. IMHO

And is my lens worth 2k GBP? Obviously, you will not put a cheap Amazon filter on, and yeah, no filter, no problem, in controlled conditions. Imagine I am hiking in the mountains where any little stone can simply pop into my lens. What glass you have on your camera determines what filter quality you need.

Hello, don't be angry but ... the photos are not sharp, they are blurry , and you bought the wrong UV filter ! I use the filter for a long time , after zooming in I get the opposite effect of color and sharpness. It depends a lot on the filter, what is the light transmission, the colors, the sharpness and what color (blue) it can attenuate ! This is not a good video to recommend a filter.

@rileyphotos

3 ай бұрын

Wow, that’s great advice, you know an awful lot about these filters. I’m impressed, and I’m looking forward to seeing your KZread video.👍🏻

@jarod72pm

3 ай бұрын

@@rileyphotos video : UV filter vs no uv filter Do photographers need ultraviolet filters on lenses? Lets find out

Okay your focusing skills were not consistent from image to image. UV filter as with Polarizers are best in different conditions of light. Also, there are good, bad and excellent filters made. Some aren’t prepared to spend top dollar and therefore their results tell them no filter is the best choice

@rileyphotos

4 ай бұрын

I just compared two different filters, taking the same image, on the same body with the same lens at the same time- that’s about as consistent as I get 🤣 thanks for watching 👍🏻