UV Filter Advice for Canon T2i Lenses
Howdy friends! Let’s take a look at the following questions about UV filters…
- Should I get a UV filter to protect my lens?
- What size UV filter should I get?
- Which UV filter is best?
Should you get a UV filter to protect your lens?
My answer is…Yes and No. :)
UV filters are great for peace of mind. They offer a barrier between earthy elements and an expensive piece of glass. The problem is that UV filters tend to decrease sharpness and increase lens flares (sun spots).
For me personally, I only use UV filters when I’m at the beach or shooting motocross. Salty ocean spray (not the cranberry juice) and flying dirt particles, can wreak havoc on expensive glass.
In my everyday shooting, however, I rarely use a UV filter…even on my expensive lenses. In the 20+ years I’ve been shooting, I’ve never once damaged the front lens element. I’ve bumped many objects with the front of my lens, however, never once have I received a significant crack or scratch.
Now, this isn’t to say that it never happens. If you’d like some protection for your lenses, then read on…
What size UV filter should you get
Each lens has a different diameter. For example, the Canon T2i 18-55mm kit lens is compatible with 58mm UV filters, while the budget Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens is compatible with 52mm UV filters. Take a look at your current lens line-up and use this Canon lens filter chart find out which size UV lenses you’ll need.
Which UV filter is best
UV filters are not created equal. Some UV filters are made with a thin piece of cheap glass, while others are made with a thicker piece of quality glass and multiple coatings for increased sharpness and performance.
LensTip (lenstip.com) has a wonderful in-depth review of the most popular UV filters currently on the market, everything from cheaper Tiffen UV’s to the more expensive Hoya UV’s. In their tests the Hoya HMC UV HMC Haze filter won in a landslide (click here to see all the different sizes).
Will you notice a huge difference between a $41 UV filter and a $12 UV filter? With budget lenses, probably not…with expensive lenses, possibly. The decision should come down to your budget and the types of lenses you own.
I hope that answers all your questions about UV filter options for the Canon T2i. If you have any other questions, just add a comment to this post and I’ll get back to you lickety split. Happy Shooting!