Lens care?

Peter-B

Peter-B

Peter-B

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Joined
26 Feb 2006
Posts
247
Hi, I’m new to photography. I have bought a Nikkon D60 with the 18-55mm VR lens.

Should I take the lens off the body when not in use?

2nd, I’ve read that it’s a good idea to get a clear lens cover to protect it when in use.

Is this correct. Its seems odd putting more glass infront of the lens, doesn’t this affect the final image?

Any advice would be appreciated.
 
I normally leave the lens on the body to reduce the chances of dust getting in the body etc, I know you will have a body cap for the camera but this just lessons the chances. If you remove the lens at anytime make sure to hold the body with the lens hole pointing towards the ground to again prevent stuff falling in. Definatly get a filter on the lens, they are easier/cheaper to replace than the front element on the lens. Its safer to clean a glass filter than the front element of the lens, the lens will have a coating thats easily scratched whereas the filter does'nt. The filter as long as its a uv or daylight etc will not effect the final image.
 
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leave it on the camera unless you need to change lenses

always use the hood if possible

no need to use a clear filter if you look after the lens but some people use one for extra protection

clean the lens with lint fee cloth , try not to get finger grease on the lens

when changing lenses try to do it quickly to minimise any contamination into the elements
 
Raymond Lin said:
I use a filter on all my lenses, not for UV protection, but to prevent damage.
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Exackly, I was'nt clear in my first post regarding this. UV is a good filter to use because it does'nt effect the final image at at all. Digital camera's basically ignore anything this filter has to offer apart from the obvious 'first line of defence'.
 
If you are going to use UV filters to protect your lenses then invest in decent quality ones - they won't be cheap. Hoya Pro1 filters are often recommended on here, but I found a definite loss of sharpness when using one on my 70-300VR. MK recommends B+W branded filters, so they're probably a good bet.

Personally I find that just using the lens hood provides all the protection I need, saves money and doesn't provide any image quality worries.
 
King4aDay said:
If you are going to use UV filters to protect your lenses then invest in decent quality ones - they won't be cheap. Hoya Pro1 filters are often recommended on here, but I found a definite loss of sharpness when using one on my 70-300VR. MK recommends B+W branded filters, so they're probably a good bet.

Personally I find that just using the lens hood provides all the protection I need, saves money and doesn't provide any image quality worries.
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+1

I also like to keep my CP on unless I need the 1 or 2 stops if light
 
Dont bother with a filter to protect the lens. Any filter will degrade the image quality.
Lens glass is made with durability in mind.
Just get a hood instead IMO. Lens protection and glare protection too :)
Leave the lens on when not in use, the mounts are very strong.
 
monkeyspank said:
Dont bother with a filter to protect the lens. Any filter will degrade the image quality.
Lens glass is made with durability in mind.
Just get a hood instead IMO. Lens protection and glare protection too :)
Leave the lens on when not in use, the mounts are very strong.
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Absolutely, the only time I use a filter is when I'm standing behind an aircraft that is taking off and I know I'm going to get all kinds of nasty **** thrown at me.
 
monkeyspank said:
Dont bother with a filter to protect the lens. Any filter will degrade the image quality.
Lens glass is made with durability in mind.
Just get a hood instead IMO. Lens protection and glare protection too :)
Leave the lens on when not in use, the mounts are very strong.
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Lens glass is durable in mind?

durable against what exactly? finger prints ? yes, lens cloth? yes. knock with something metallic ? I rather yours than mine.
 
Yeah, Nikon do/did free sensor cleaning if you want to send it in to them, I would personally follow their advise which they gave me, turn the camera off and point it down when taking the lens off, and have the next lens ready to go , but point it down until your just under the camera in order to minimise dust getting in, plus don't do any of this on a beach. LOL
 
Raymond Lin said:
Lens glass is durable in mind?

durable against what exactly? finger prints ? yes, lens cloth? yes. knock with something metallic ? I rather yours than mine.
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Well finger prints, I'd say no personally. Metallic objects, yes, definitely , and that is why I keep metallic objects away from my lenses. And my fingers
 
Peter-B don't worry about it, just be mindful of it. When you have progressed to taking photos of moving metallic objects at distances closer than any lens can focus then you will probably be able to answer your own question.

In short, dont worry :) enjoy your new purchase :)
 
Well thanks guys, that’s really informative.

I kinda guess I’ll do without a filter atm, mainly because of cost,

a quick google shows the’re about £40-80!

Regarding a lens hood, whats the best type for outdoor shots?

Another Google shows lots of different types, circular or cutout?
very confusing.

One reseller states

“Dedicated lens hoods are designed to match the specific focal length of the lens it was designed for”.

Atm focal length means nothing! does that mean I’ve got to match one for my 18-55.
 
Basically yes mate, a normal rubber, calapsable hood will be fine. On wider angle hood you can sometimes get vinyetting if you use the wrong hood.


For use with you 18-55 lens:
bower%20lens%20hood.jpg


For use with a wider angles lens:
4128_HB-35-Lens-Hood_FRONT.jpg


Hoods prevent certain impacts on the frontal element.
 
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