Humid Environment - UV Filter?

[phkc070408]

I'm going to be traveling to a remote tropical island about 3000 miles west of Hawaii. The island, named Pohnpei, is one of the wettest places on earth, getting over 300 inches of rainfall annually.

Some of my pictures will be close-ups, such as hiking in a river, while others will be out over the ocean on a boat, or up on a hill of the birds and objects in the distance. What's everyone's opinion in a good UV Filter for my lenses?

I generally shy away from UV filters, since the general use of them is protection, and I generally feel an extra piece of glass between my subject and sensor is asking for quality reduction, but I'm unsure about this one.

I'll be taking the following lenses with me:

Tamron 15-30mm f2.8
Canon 28-105mm f4
Tamron 70-200mm f2.8
Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3

 

[snowbear]

I don't think they are needed for digital: there is already UV filtering on the sensor. Maybe in windy, sandy areas there may be a benefit, but I've never had an issue with the lens elements breaking or getting any damage. A good lens cap will protect a lens.

I would use one in the mountans if shooting color film.

 

[cgw]

I still use 'em since they've absorbed impact damage rather than front elements. IQ compromise? Minimal with quality. Sounds to me like moisture protection would be a bigger concern.

 

[phkc070408]

Thanks Snow, I appreciate it.

CG: The air out there is a salty moist. In fact, it’s so salty that the planes that fly that route have to be swapped for other planes every 5 years to prevent corrosion.

I highly doubt 3 weeks as a tourist will do much damage to a lens, but if I lived there, a valid point.

 

[Thiophilos]

The term "UV filter" should be avoided because it is a legacy item to protect film from UV radiation. That isn't needed with digital as already mentioned. There are clear filters, and they help to protect the front element from fingerprints and dust. They are not very good at protecting from impacts.

A filter isn't going to help much against salty air.

You might be at risk of fungal growth and corrosion with prolonged exposure in high humidity surroundings. Keep the temperature of the gear well above the dew point to avoid problems like this. Silica gel in sealed containers is effective for storing gear in high humidity situations.

 

[RAZKY]

I'm going to be traveling to a remote tropical island about 3000 miles west of Hawaii. The island, named Pohnpei, is one of the wettest places on earth, getting over 300 inches of rainfall annually.

Some of my pictures will be close-ups, such as hiking in a river, while others will be out over the ocean on a boat, or up on a hill of the birds and objects in the distance. What's everyone's opinion in a good UV Filter for my lenses?

I generally shy away from UV filters, since the general use of them is protection, and I generally feel an extra piece of glass between my subject and sensor is asking for quality reduction, but I'm unsure about this one.

I'll be taking the following lenses with me:

Tamron 15-30mm f2.8
Canon 28-105mm f4
Tamron 70-200mm f2.8
Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3

Film and digital sensors are both sensitive to UV radiation. UV filters have been pretty much obsolete since multicoating, which absorbs UV, was introduced decades ago. The 1995 Nikon Compendium (Page 158) mentions it, and a Google search may be educational.
A quality clear protective glass should adequately protect the front lens elements. B+W, Heliopan and Nikon are top brands, but there are other good brands. It is practical to buy for the largest diameter lens, and use it with step-up rings on the smaller diameter lenses.

 

[cgw]

They are not very good at protecting from impacts.

Funny how they taken punches and saved some very expensive glass from serious damage.

 

[Jeff15]

I can never understand why would some one put a £30 piece of glass in front of a £1000 lens ..??

 

[cgw]

I can never understand why would some one put a £30 piece of glass in front of a £1000 lens ..??

Damage the front element of that pricey lens and you might change your tune. Think of it
as a clear lens cap.

 

[Jeff15]

I have never damaged the front of a lens in more than 40 years of photography..?

 

[smoke665]

I quit using UV filters several years ago, haven't looked back. As mentioned above, humidity, would be the bigger concern, especially if going from air conditioning out into warm humid salty air. Condensation can form both internally and on outer surfaces.

 

[Thiophilos]

They are not very good at protecting from impacts.

Funny how they taken punches and saved some very expensive glass from serious damage.

Nonsense.

 

[cgw]

Nonsense.

YMMV, as always. Simply mentioning my personal experience--not hearsay.

 

[phkc070408]

I quit using UV filters several years ago, haven't looked back. As mentioned above, humidity, would be the bigger concern, especially if going from air conditioning out into warm humid salty air. Condensation can form both internally and on outer surfaces.

Would a UV filter (or any filter) protect the surface of my lens from condensation? I would think it would reduce the shock when going outdoors and allow time for the lens surface to become acclimated to the humid weather so it doesn't steam up.

Other than slowly acclimating the camera to the out door environment, any other tips for going from an Air Conditioned hotel room out into the humid air?

For Example:

1. As we approach our destination in our car, slowly turn the AC off and then open the window to the car, but leave the camera in the case.
2. After we get to our destination, leave the camera in the case for 10-15 mins before taking it out of the bag
3. Wait a 5-10 more minutes to take the lens cap off.

I plan to not carry the case with me while we hike, but just carry the camera around my neck, so silica gel packets won't be necessary.

 

[Thiophilos]

If the gear is below the dew point, condensation will occur.

The filter may delay or prevent condensation forming on the lens. It will form on the filter instead (and camera body, etc, if those parts are below the dew point).

Warm the gear up to prevent condensation. Use body heat, or a hand warmer, or whatever. Using the camera (taking pictures) will warm it up... with risk, of course.

Putting the gear in a plastic bag in the sun will warm it up fast - risking serious overheating if you are not careful.