Does anyone not using front lens cap for quick street photography?

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 11, 2012

I don't use filters for protection unless there is an obvious hazard, and I would count crowds as a hazard, but street photography doesn't always involve crowds. I use a filter when I want to filter the light for photographic reasons.

I use a lens shade most of the time (the exceptions being lenses for which I don't have a practical shade option). A lens shade not only prevents extraneous light from falling on the elements, but also restricts the image circle of the lens to reduce veiling flare from internal reflections within the lens. Most flare is not caused by extraneous light but by the subject itself. It is always a good idea to use a proper shade, and it is worth considering whether the manufacturer's shade is really sufficient to maximally shade the lens. Shades can often be improved by adding black flocking paper to the inside of the shade.

tkamiya · Aug 11, 2012

I put a quality filter in front of every lens I own. I'm sure the image is degraded if I do an A/B comparison. But, most of my lenses (zooms mostly) have dozen or so element in it already. Just one more can't cause that much difference. Practically speaking, it's a non-issue. It's just a peace of mind thing. I can clean lenses correctly but if I'm in the field, I can quickly wipe it when necessary without a worry.

Typically, if I am out shooting, I don't put lens cap on every time, unless if I am putting my camera away or don't expect shoot for a while. Lens hood is always on.

Right or wrong, that's how I do it.

John Koehrer · Aug 11, 2012

benjiboy said:
I carry my lenses without front lens caps with a clear multi- coated protection filter on them and the hood fitted face down in my camera bag with just a back cap on them I never clean the front elements of the lenses they are clean already, I only clean the protection filters once in a while.

+1

After working most of my adult life in the camera trade, I've seen enough slightly damaged front elements to consider a filter a good idea.
FWIW I'd be very surprised if anyone could tell an image that was degraded (sharpness only) from anything but flare. The difference will be microscopic unless your'e using AN glass

removed-user-1 · Aug 11, 2012

For me, lens caps are for storage only. Especially with a rangefinder camera! I shoot mostly black and white, and like to get the clouds and sky in my street photos, so I often have a yellow filter on for the effect. Otherwise it's just a lens hood. I've had a lens hood save a lens more than once and they do cut down on flare.

benjiboy · Aug 12, 2012

pbromaghin said:
A green filter for street work? Interesting. Your subjects must get some rather extreme complexions.

Green filters on monochrome film darken skin tones to make people look more tanned and prevent the chalky white ones that yellow filters can produce , they also lighten foliage and darken blue skies .

benjiboy · Aug 12, 2012

John Koehrer said:
+1

After working most of my adult life in the camera trade, I've seen enough slightly damaged front elements to consider a filter a good idea.
FWIW I'd be very surprised if anyone could tell an image that was degraded (sharpness only) from anything but flare. The difference will be microscopic unless your'e using AN glass

I too spent nearly twenty five years in the camera trade and I agree with John entirely, I used to advise my customers when buying a new lens to get a clear multi-coated protection filter to put on the factory cleaned front element and never clean it only the filter, because the majority of damaged front elements I saw in my store had been caused by over cleaning with everything from dirty soiled handkerchiefs from their pockets to the end of their ties .

k_jupiter · Aug 13, 2012

BrianShaw said:
Well... here's how I do it:

(Ann) I totally agree with her when it comes to my large format lenses.

(Brian) I totally agree with him when it comes to my 35mm lenses.

(Ann and Brian) I totally agree with both of them when it comes to my medium format lenses because half have filters and half do not.

easy-peasy!

Damn, just what I was going to say. My 35mm got used hard, very hard. Thrown in backpacks, back of cars. I used a filter (and always use best quality, with a hood). Medium format? Only my 80 and 65 on the rb, all others live in specific cases and are brought out for specific assignments. Large format? The natural deliberate working patterns make taking care of those lens natural. All used lens hoods.

tim in san jose

xya · Aug 13, 2012

normally street photography isn't about squeezing the last bit of sharpness out of your gear. and it's not about carrying the most expensive gear around as well. I never used filters or shades in these situations.

going near the beach is quite different. I would certainly put a filter and if there is more than a breeze, I would go home. I ruined more than one camera by sand.

just take it easy, get non-expensive material to walk around the streets and if it's near sunset (or sunrise) have a shade in your pocket. I can't remember unwanted flare from streetlights.

E. von Hoegh · Aug 13, 2012

rustyair said:
Those of you who don't use UV filter, Do you have to clean the front element? How often do you clean?

I do keep a protective filter on any lens that is being used, the lenses are capped when not in use. Years go by between cleanings - I recently sold I lens I had had for 22 years, it was cleaned 3 times while I owned it - I kept track.

For street photography, I use a filter and a hood. You do use a hood at all times, right?

dnjl · Aug 13, 2012

For street photography, I carry expendable gear. No filter or lens cap, only a hood on bright days. If the lens gets damaged, I replace it, but that has not been the case so far. I use a lens pen to frequently clean the front element and have yet to see any marks on that 30 year old glass.

Gatsby1923 · Aug 13, 2012

A filter will protect the front of the lens.
If you find it degrades your images then by all means don't use one.
That's as simple an arguement.

jvo · Aug 13, 2012

if your shooting b&w film a UV filter will be fine. if you doing color work a UV filter will impart a warmer tone. a skylight 1a filter will be better for color work. put one on every lens!

a green filter for street photography will enhance skin tone in b&w work.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 14, 2012

make that two

baachitraka · Aug 14, 2012

Always YellowGreen filter + hood. Lens cap will stay safe in the bag.

David Allen · Aug 14, 2012

Does anyone not using front lens cap for quick street photography?
Hi,

I'm thinking of getting a B+W UV filter for my Mamiya 7 65mm F/4 lens and forget the front lens cap for faster action street photography.

Does anyone do that? Or is it bad idea?

Gerald C Koch said:
More lenses have been damaged by zealous cleaning than from any accident. Loose dust can be blow off using a baby ear syinge. The only time to clean a lens is when there is a greasy mark on it.

If you use a filter on your lens you will never have to clean a greasy mark from the front element.

In response to the OP, I have used my Mamiya 7 with 65mm lens with a (carefully checked) B+W filter for the past 11 years and am very happy. The filter went on to the lens the first day I had it. the lens cap stays on the camera until I am ready to start work and then stays off until I finish.

Best,

David
www.dsallen.de

lacavol · Aug 15, 2012

I'm probably the oddest one here. As I usually shoot B&W I start with a K2 (yellow) filter that is paired with a screw on lens cap. I usually have the lens cap off except for transport. If conditions warrant then I unscrew the filter along with the lens cap. I don't like any of the snap caps as the cap comes off when I don't want it off or I smear my filter/lens when the snap cap doesn't want to come off cleanly.

Tom Stanworth · Aug 15, 2012

Use B&W MRC filters and you get no image degradation in my experience. if shooting at night with lots of point sources I would take them off as a precaution though.

I use a hood and filter and never use caps when actively using a camera. The advantage of filters is that dirt, spray, rubbish off trees etc can be cleaned off jeopardising only the filter. This I find very useful when cameras and lenses end up in pockets or under clothes where they collect lint. You can clean this off very quickly and not worry about damaging the main lens coatings. MRC filters are very resistant and well made.

Hoods offer good protection against frontal impact.

benjiboy · Sep 20, 2012

desertratt said:
Lens cap for street photography? Why not a "neverready case?" Why not a steel box with three locks? Just wondering.

+1, live dangerously.

tnabbott · Sep 22, 2012

At a minimum, I would go with a hood because it does serve other functions, such as reducing flare. What I love, is when I see tourists using their expensive DLSRs with the hood attached in the storage position where it neither protects the lens or has any impact on reducing flare. Not sure why so many people do that...

As for UV filters, if the filter is made of high quality glass it should be fine (IMO).

Peltigera · Sep 22, 2012

I frequently have my lens hood in the storage position. If I am not photographing where I am likely to get flare, I do0n't bother to turn it round. A lot of my photography is done in less than brilliant sunshine (I am British) so the lens hood is far from essential.

Jim Noel · Sep 22, 2012

I agree with Ann and Andrew. I only use UV filters at higher altitudes. Why put a cheap piece of glass in front of a $1000 lens? A metal sun shade is not only a better protector, it is far better, and there is no possibility of it breaking and scratching the lens.

semi-ambivalent · Sep 22, 2012

Like most here, I'm not going to change my current practice because of what I've read on this topic, so I don't have a horse in the race, BUT, I would suggest those interested to check ebay and see what a dented filter ring or even the most minor of cleaning marks does to the price of a lens. That alone is a plus for either a filter or hood to serve as a crumple zone if your camera is dropped.

About filters, I've always used them. There is a webpage out there where somebody shot two identical images. One with no filter at all and one with a stack of five clear and haze filters (uncleaned but dust blown off) on the lens. If I remember, the lens was a 35mm f/1.4 Nikkor of some vintage and type. There were links to 100% images (cropped to avoid the vignetting tipping you off) and he dared you to tell which was which and you could click a button that told you the correct one. I happened to "guess" correctly based on some of the smallest lettering on the side of a panel truck, but I probably really was just guessing. It was that close.

If the reason you're not using filters is because you're worried about extracting maximum performance from your lenses, and you're not always using a tripod, and locking up the mirror, your boat has sailed.

s-a

tnabbott · Sep 22, 2012

Peltigera said:
I frequently have my lens hood in the storage position. If I am not photographing where I am likely to get flare, I do0n't bother to turn it round. A lot of my photography is done in less than brilliant sunshine (I am British) so the lens hood is far from essential.

Peltigera, I should have added that I see this often in sunny places like California. I see your point, though.

Ghostman · Sep 23, 2012

I have taken too many pictures of the inside of my lens cap to bother using it anymore. It's attached to a string to the body so it dangles there and I'll never lose it. I do of course transport the camera with the lens cap on, but whilst shooting, lose the cap.

JBrunner · Sep 23, 2012

Having uv filters on my lenses has saved me a ton of heartache. Lens assault is only a matter of time when you shoot as often and in the situations that I do. I have no doubt, however, that there are others who could shoot a lifetime without and without damage. None of my LF lenses are protected, they don't go in harms way the way the 35 stuff does.

Does anyone not using front lens cap for quick street photography?

David A. Goldfarb

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