Screw-on filters - advice needed

[phil1066]

okay, so over the years when doing photography I have always used a UV filter to protect my lenses and cut out UV etc. When using circular polarisers I have always mounted these onto the Uv filter, I suppose to save time.

Does it matter that I am doing it this way, or should I always take the UV off when using 'other' filters instead of combining them on the lens?

Just want to make sure Im doing it right 

[Syman]

The general rule of thumb I would say is that the less you put in front of the lens the better. In theory and in a world of perfect glass (or very expensive glass) I don't think that combining the filters would reduce quality. Glass though is generally less than perfect so the less the better i recon. 
Another thing to consider is that if you have a wide angle lens (which i know you do) it may start to show vignetting caused by the 15mm or so of extra barrel you have added by combining filters.  I know that on my 16mm lens I have to have special "low profile" filters so that vignetting is not a problem (my hoya pro 77mm low profile  circular polariser cost me £110 OUCH.)

You should also think about buying protector filters rather than uv's. But that's a whole nother story.....

[Pete W]

I have stopped using UV and Skylight filters. Granted the main reason for them in my case was to protect the glass, however considering  most lenses have hoods I have now stopped using them.
And yes I do think picture quality has improved without that extra piece of glass.

As for polarisers plus other filters. I have gone the Cokin/Lee filters route. This way with a holder you do not need lots of the same filter to fit different lenses.

[phil1066]

thanks guys for the tips, i think a bit of experimentation is called for then.

So a UV lens for UV sake has no value at all?

[Pete W]

So a UV lens for UV sake has no value at all?

I think with digital there is no need for them (my view)

[phil1066]

Given recent (WRC Rally) experiences - with flying gravel, dust, dirt, rocks and stones (some the size of small planets) I will always use a protection filter on my lenses 

dont want to risk damaging them 

[drbeaven]

Ask yourself this..   What does the uv filter do? ill tell ya..the uv filter reduces uv light entering your camera,basicly you will be getting clean light,if say you are shooting on a hazy day,the uv filter helps reduce it,ive tried it,a hood is ok but a hood+uv is great.

the way i see is this,if your gonna have glass on your lens it may as well have maximum use,so a uv will protect and improve image quality.just dont buy the cheap ones as they general give a slight colourcast similar to the skylight filter.

everybody should own a polariser of some sort,ive used them in the studio,on location,abstracts,buildings,portraits etc