MCJ Posted February 3, 2019 Share #1 Posted February 3, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am wondering if people think it is advisable to put a clear filter over the lens to protect it if I am going to use the hood and not the lens cap as so many people have recommended. The only reason I can think not to do this is that I just paid a lot of money for what is supposed to be a very high-quality lens and then I am going to put an inexpensive piece of plastic over the front of it. Thoughts? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 3, 2019 Posted February 3, 2019 Hi MCJ, Take a look here Lens filter for Q?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wda Posted February 3, 2019 Share #2 Posted February 3, 2019 Unless you will be using the Q in hostile conditions, on a regular basis, don't bother. I keep my attached lens hood capped until ready to shoot; then recap until the nest period of activity. The cap is cupped in my left palm for the duration of shooting, or my bag if a longer period. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixelman Posted February 3, 2019 Share #3 Posted February 3, 2019 I use the Q with a filter and a hood and never use the cap. The camera is always ready to go and the very nice lens is safe. I see no performance degradation from using a clear filter. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siriusone59 Posted February 3, 2019 Share #4 Posted February 3, 2019 The better clear filters available are not cheap plastic but like the camera, you get what you pay for. Years ago I would put a skylight filter that cost maybe $20 on a lens for protection....today a clear B&W MRC will be around $50. That being said, anytime my camera is out taking pictures, there is a possibility that something could get splashed, sprayed or blown into the lens...even with the hood on. No, that wouldn't be the end of the world so to say but I'd much rather clean a filter than clean the lens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadohead Posted February 3, 2019 Share #5 Posted February 3, 2019 You're out in the field. Some dirty water splashes up against your camera! Phew. No damage. Except now you notice some droplets on the front of the lens. Are you really going to clean the front element with your T-shirt? Or hope that you have some lens tissue and a blower in your bag? With a filter on, I just wipe the filter with my shirt, breathe on the filter, then wipe it again with a different part of my shirt. Done. Like pixelman, I leave the camera with the filter and hood on. The cap, which is very poorly designed on the Q, stays in my bag. I put a high-quality B&W filter on the front of my lenses the day that I buy the lens; I consider it a price of the lens. The filter doesn't come off until the day I go to sell the lens. I don't get cleaning marks on the front element, and trust me, I don't care how surgical you are, you'll get cleaning marks. The degradation of image quality is slight, and it's easy to shoot around that degradation, but the increased resale value of your lens with a pristine front element is considerable. There has been so much written about this on the internet, and so vigorously debated, that it's surprising that anyone would post this question. It's a personal matter, like religion, and there is no right answer. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonbomaBear Posted February 3, 2019 Share #6 Posted February 3, 2019 The BW MRC is perfect - plus I use an OP/TECH lens sack to keep out dirt and absorb bumps. The sack is cheap on Amazon. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicci78 Posted February 3, 2019 Share #7 Posted February 3, 2019 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Use a filter. B+W are the best. No visible IQ loss. Way cheaper than front lens element from Leica. Save my Q once : a small stone hit my filter and broke it. And yes the hood did magically stopped the small projectile. Any hood has a giant hole, it is their nature. Therefore they will not protect your lens. A hood serves as a shade. That’s it. No lens cap but Hood + filter is the best. However a Mirrorless Camera will need a lens cap on, when unused, in very bright location such as desert, beach, snowy mountains etc... to avoid any sensor burn. The sensor is always open. Edited February 3, 2019 by nicci78 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCJ Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share #8 Posted February 4, 2019 7 hours ago, dadohead said: There has been so much written about this on the internet, and so vigorously debated, that it's surprising that anyone would post this question. It's a personal matter, like religion, and there is no right answer. I actually read the entire internet before posting my question. Literally read the entire thing. Took quite a long time. Just didn’t feel satisfied. I’m glad I posted the repeat question because your answer above (which had never before been posted anywhere on the internet) was actually quite helpful, thoughtful and I think I’m going to do exactly as you suggest above. Thank you for your suggestion. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCJ Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share #9 Posted February 4, 2019 (edited) 23 hours ago, Siriusone59 said: The better clear filters available are not cheap plastic but like the camera, you get what you pay for. Years ago I would put a skylight filter that cost maybe $20 on a lens for protection....today a clear B&W MRC will be around $50. That being said, anytime my camera is out taking pictures, there is a possibility that something could get splashed, sprayed or blown into the lens...even with the hood on. No, that wouldn't be the end of the world so to say but I'd much rather clean a filter than clean the lens. I believe this (linked below) is the filter you are talking about. Either I found the wrong one, or they have become cheaper?? I cannot find a 49mm B+W clear MRC for anywhere near $50. https://www.adorama.com/bw49xsp7n.html Edited February 4, 2019 by MCJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siriusone59 Posted February 4, 2019 Share #10 Posted February 4, 2019 1 hour ago, MCJ said: I believe this (linked below) is the filter you are talking about. Either I found the wrong one, or they have become cheaper?? I cannot find a 49mm B+W clear MRC for anywhere near $50. https://www.adorama.com/bw49xsp7n.html That's the one I was referring to and it is a good price. Did you happen to notice the list of $66 and the 59% off? Looks like they've come down in price. I've only seen good reviews on them, but then you already read the reviews since you've covered the entire internet.😉 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viv Posted February 6, 2019 Share #11 Posted February 6, 2019 I have a glass filter and the lens hood on mine. If I used the cap I would lose it very quickly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
larsv Posted February 8, 2019 Share #12 Posted February 8, 2019 On 2/6/2019 at 10:02 AM, Viv said: I have a glass filter and the lens hood on mine. If I used the cap I would lose it very quickly. I have the same. now looking for fashionable safety cord for the cap. This is Leica, there must be a $ 1k cord available with a red logo! 😂 Kidding aside, I just put the cap in my trouser pocket. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
prk60091 Posted February 9, 2019 Share #13 Posted February 9, 2019 On 2/3/2019 at 12:21 PM, SonbomaBear said: The BW MRC is perfect - plus I use an OP/TECH lens sack to keep out dirt and absorb bumps. The sack is cheap on Amazon. my set up plus i have the lens hood on as well (it has quite a few nicks on it-- so it has saved the lens on more than one occasion ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexS Posted February 13, 2019 Share #14 Posted February 13, 2019 I have the same: B+W F-Pro 49mm, but the "UV-haze": it is the same as clear in these digital times. But I want to be sure: I live in the Alps, my house is at 1642 m height, so there is much more UV in the light. Then screwed the lens hood on for good. The lens cap I only use during transport to avoid dust, it falls off easily. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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