HELP with UV filter....

[Jude]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

This is my first post...here goes. I purchased a UVA filter when I bought my V-Lux-1 camera mainly to protect the lense. Could someone explain what this filter does and how to use it. I also purchased a circular polarizer and found the information in this forum very helpful so thank you to all who offered their expertise. I would also like to know the best way to clean the filters. I must say I am dismayed to read it is impossible to take a decent picture usung the digital zoom on this camera. My own experience has been frustrating. I have tried everything including using the self timer and have never been able to get a crisp, clear image. Any other thoughts on this would be so appreciated.

[pop]

That's quite a load of questions. You might want to consider posting each question in a separate thread.

 

However, here's my attempt at answering some of these:

 

The UV filter usually is used to prevent UV light from reaching the film or sensor. UV light is present in large quantities in the mountains, near large bodies of water or on snow when there is direct sunlight. UV light might cause your pictures to become foggy or to show strange colors.

 

Most people use the filter to protect their expensive front lens from becoming dirty or scratched.

 

Both the filter and the front part of your lens should have threads. Screw the filter in front of your lens, and it will happily accept all dust, fingerprintes and whatever threatens your front lens.

 

The digital zoom is nearly useless in every digital camera. Thats because of the way digital zoom works and has nothing whatsoever to do with the brand or make of the camera.

 

I have no idea why any manufacturer bothers to build it into a camera. The digital zoom changes the scale of the image exactly in the same way it is done by software on your PC. It interpolates the values of adjacent pixels and invents thus some pixels between those actually provided by the lens. That's a very effective way to remove all crispness from an image.

[Jude]

pop...thank you for your time and the information, it is appreciated.

[farnz]

Welcome to the forum, Jude!

 

Pop's pretty much covered everything expertly except cleaning filters.

 

Regularly use a dry air blower (like a Giotto Rocket) to remove dust and particles from the surface but try to avoid canned air because the propellant can settle on the filter's surface in blobs. If I find that I have fingerprints or other gunk on the surface I use a soft lint-free cloth and carefully and tenderly wipe them away. If this doesn't work I use warm water will a tiny amount of liquid soap and this usually does the trick.

 

Pete.