BUDGET PHOTO SECRETS
Reach for the skylight
By James Booth
How much do you have invested in your camera lens? Depending on how many you have and what focal length they are, several hundred at the very least, right? You protect the lens with a cap when you're not using it, don't you? Sure you do. But what about when you're using it? What can you do then? You can reach for the sky. Skylight filter, that is.
The skylight, or 1A filter shown in Figure A, is designed to screw into the threads on the front of your lens.
FIGURE A
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A skylight filter will protect your lens and decrease UV light. Click picture for a larger image.
Its purpose is to block out a small amount of UV (ultraviolet) light and eliminate that bluish tint when taking outdoor photos in the shade or on overcast days. But because of its general neutrality, many people use them to protect the front glass on their lenses.
A skylight filter will also shield the front glass of your lens from dust and scratches. In Figure B, you can't even tell it's on the lens.
FIGURE B
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The skylight filter is unnoticeable when screwed onto your lens. Click picture for a larger image.
In the event that you actually drop your lens, there is a possibility the skylight filter could save it. I dropped a 135mm zoom lens one time and it landed on its front. Were it not for the skylight filter, the rim of the lens would have been bent and damaged, possibly breaking the glass itself. Instead, the filter took the damage, denting its rim and breaking its glass. I took the lens to a repair shop and they were able to cut the rim of the filter to remove it. After an inspection, they determined there was no damage to the lens. That $15 piece of glass saved a several hundred-dollar lens, and you better believe I put a new one on immediately.
Skylight filters come in just about every size that lenses do, so there shouldn't be any problem finding one whether you shoot film or digital.
Of course, there are a lot of cameras out there, digital and film, that don't have removable or threaded lenses, so I'm afraid you're not likely to find a skylight filter for those cameras. However, you should search thoroughly, because many cameras do have lens protectors available, even if it is from an obscure accessory manufacturer.
When it comes to the skylight filter, or any lens filter for that matter, don't skimp on price. It does little good to stick a cheap $2 piece of glass or plastic on the front of your $500 lens. Definitely go for quality, optical-glass filters and pay the extra money. And, of course, these filters aren't all that expensive even at the top end.
You carry insurance on your vehicle, store your camera in a case, and use a lens cap to protect the lens. Camera equipment is expensive, but will last a long time if taken care of. Go that extra step to ensure the glass on your lens stays safe and put a skylight 1A filter on it. Live to be grateful you did, not regretful you didn't. Good luck and good shooting.
James Booth is a self-taught PC and Palm device user that dabbles in graphics and photography. He can be reached at address@hidden.
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