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I've been using cheap (less than $5) filters to protect my lenses and they do the job.
A roll of duct tape would protect 100s of lenses. ;)

In the end it might not matter much either way. I shot some photos the other way for some one and in the end she asks my to "make them smaller" so they will display on a smart phone. no one cares about image quality any more because thy only look at the phis on a phone or at best a computer screen.
True, but the 24x36 aluminum prints I showed today looked awesome and I didn't use a filter either. :)
 
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Personally I wouldn't recommend them to the majority of people. What's the point of buying a nice lens to put an unecessary filter over it? There's no optical benefit, more equipment to carry around and the only time I smashed the front elements of a lens (300mm 4L IS) it cost me around the same price to fix as the cost of a UV filter.
The only situation where I use them is where there is excessive sea spray, blowing sand or snow when I compose my frame and whip off the filter to get a couple of exposures off without debris on the lens.
 
The UV filter is the best when used in the right circumstance.
In outdoor photography, it's really a nice kit.
:)
 
The UV filter is the best when used in the right circumstance.
In outdoor photography, it's really a nice kit.
:)

UV filters are individual mixtures or compounds to prevent ultraviolet light from getting inside.

Digital sensors don't have sensitivity to UV frequencies, so it doesn't actually matter. Use a clear glass sensor if you want to, but make sure it's a good quality one to lessen the influence on your pictures.
 
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I am more likely to use a circular polarizer or ND filter at the beach as opposed to a UV or clear filter.
 
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