UV Filters Explained

Few pieces of photography gear are as simple—and oddly controversial—as the humble UV filter.

On one hand, you have photographers who put one on every lens they own the moment it comes out of the box (spoiler, that's me). On the other, you have image-quality purists who say, with conviction, “Why would I put another piece of glass in front of my expensive lens?” (something I totally get and may move to in the future...)

And honestly? Both camps have a point.

UV filters are one of those accessories that seem straightforward at first. You simply screw it onto the front of your lens and go photograph the world. But once you dig in, there are layers—literal and metaphorical. Are they still useful in the digital age? Do they degrade image quality? Are they worth the money? Should you buy the cheap one or the fancy one? And are “clear protective filters” basically the same thing with a modern rebrand?

In this recent episode of The Wild Photographer podcast, I tackled this simple yet layered topic, and you can listen here. If you'd prefer the prose version, let’s dive in!

What Is a UV Filter, Really?

A UV filter was originally designed to reduce ultraviolet light entering the camera. Back in the film days, this mattered more. Film could be more sensitive to UV light, especially in hazy, high-altitude, snowy, or coastal environments, where UV light could create a bluish cast or reduce clarity.

But with modern digital cameras, UV filtration itself is usually not the main reason to use one. Digital sensors and the filters already built into modern cameras make UV light far less of a practical concern.

So why do UV filters still exist? It's simple, but important...Protection.

Today, most photographers use UV filters as clear protective glass for the front element of their lens. Think of it as a "sacrificial shield." It's one more layer between your expensive lens and the elements: dust, rain, fingerprints, mud, salt spray, jacket zippers, and the occasional “oops, I just bumped my lens into a railing” moment that happens even to the most cognizant and protective of us.

And for nature, wildlife, and travel photography, those moments are not exactly rare. Gear gets used. Gear gets dirty. Gear gets bonked. That’s part of the adventure. And frankly, being less cautious can get you a few photos in moments of flurry and glory. Thus, the squeeze is often worth the juice.

Why I Use UV Filters Religiously

I use UV filters on nearly all of my lenses, nearly all the time.

The main reason is peace of mind. If I’m photographing in rain, snow, blowing dust, sea spray, or a humid rainforest, I would much rather clean a filter than repeatedly clean the front element of the lens itself.

Yes, camera lenses are designed to be used outdoors. They are tougher than we sometimes give them credit for. But they are also expensive—often very expensive. When you’re carrying a lens that costs $2,000, $3,000, or more, putting a high-quality protective filter on the front feels like very inexpensive insurance.

There’s also the resale-value argument, which I think is underrated. When I eventually sell a lens, I can usually remove the UV filter and reveal pristine front glass underneath. No scratches, no cleaning marks, no mystery smudges.

That matters. A lens with immaculate glass simply sells better.

The Case Against UV Filters

Now, let’s be fair...there are valid reasons not to use a UV filter.

The first is image quality. Any time you place another piece of glass in front of your lens, you are technically adding another optical surface. With a cheap filter, that can create issues like flare, ghosting, reduced contrast, color shifts, softness, or weird reflections when shooting toward bright light.

This is where the “never put cheap glass in front of expensive glass” argument comes from. And I get it.

If you’ve spent a few thousand dollars on a beautifully engineered lens, it can feel a little silly to put a bargain-bin filter in front of it. That filter becomes the last thing light passes through before entering your lens. If it’s low quality, it can absolutely become the weakest link.

The second reason to remove (or simply not use in the first place) a UV filter is filter stacking. If you’re putting on a circular polarizer or a neutral density filter, I generally recommend removing the UV filter first.

One filter? A-ok.

Two filters stacked on top of each other? That’s where you can start seeing problems. It could be one or many of these...vignetting, flare, distortion, and lack of perfect sharpness. This is especially true with wide-angle lenses, where stacked filters can darken the corners of the frame.

So if I’m using a polarizer, I carefully remove the UV filter first. And I do mean carefully. I avoid doing this in blowing dust, rain, or any situation where the front of the lens is likely to get contaminated while exposed. Changing anything on your camera in a bumpy safari vehicle is just inviting problems.

The Big Prime Lens Exception

There’s one scenario where I would by default skip a UV filter and that's with extremely high-end super-telephoto prime lenses.

I’m talking about the big wildlife lenses—the 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, and similar prime lenses that can cost well into high four or even five figures.

The argument here is pretty compelling. If you buy a $12,000 or $15,000 lens because you want the absolute best optical quality available, putting even a very good protective filter in front of it may feel counterproductive. Plus, the front elements on these lenses are huge, which means the filters would also be huge—and expensive.

There’s also the lens hood factor. Big telephoto primes usually have enormous lens hoods, which provide a surprising amount of physical protection. The front glass is set back deeply enough that dust, rain, fingers, branches, and random field hazards are less likely to reach it compared with a smaller everyday zoom.

So for a giant prime lens? I understand the case for going filter-free.

For most everyday lenses? I still prefer the filter.

What to Look for When Buying a UV Filter

Here’s the biggest practical takeaway: don’t buy the cheapest UV filter you can find.

UV filters are not wildly complicated pieces of technology. There are no moving parts, no electronics, no autofocus motors, no magic buttons. But quality still matters, especially in the glass and coatings.

Look for a filter with good optical glass, a slim but durable ring, and multi-coated surfaces. Those coatings help reduce reflections, flare, smudging, scratching, water spots, and cleaning headaches.

In the field, “easy to clean” is not a luxury just for the sake of it...it's a wise and practical investment.

Brands I’d consider include PolarPro QuartzLine filters, Hoya HD3 UV filters, and B+W UV-Haze MRC MASTER filters. You can also browse options through retailers like B&H Photo, Adorama, and Lensrentals if you want to compare sizes, brands, and price points. Premium filter companies like Singh-Ray are also worth knowing, especially if you’re deep into specialty filters.

My general rule: aim for the $60–$120 range for most standard lens sizes. That usually gets you into very solid territory without going completely overboard.

Yes, you can buy a $20 UV filter. But if you’re putting it on a $2,500 lens, that math starts to feel a little funny. Spend a bit more and remove the doubt.

What About Clear Protective Filters?

Recently, clear protective filters have become more common.

These are basically filters designed specifically for lens protection, without necessarily emphasizing UV filtration.

In practical modern use, a clear protective filter and a UV filter often serve the same purpose: they protect the front of your lens while aiming to have as little optical impact as possible.

I like the concept. It’s honest. Most of us aren’t buying these filters because we’re trying to control ultraviolet light. We’re buying them because we want to protect the lens.

So if you see a high-quality “clear protection” filter from a reputable brand, I’d treat it as a legitimate alternative to a UV filter.

My Final Take

For most photographers, especially those shooting nature, wildlife, landscapes, and travel, I think a good UV filter or clear protective filter is absolutely worth it.

Not because it will magically improve your photos. It won’t.

In fact, the best UV filter is the one you never notice...truly. It doesn’t reduce your light, doesn’t change your color, doesn’t soften your image, and doesn’t add flare. It just sits there quietly, protecting your lens from the little disasters that field photography tends to provide.

Use one on your everyday lenses. Remove it when stacking filters. Consider skipping it on ultra-premium super-telephoto primes if maximum optical purity is your top priority. And please, don’t put the cheapest filter you can find on the nicest lens you own. You're just doing yourself a disservice.

A UV filter may not be the most exciting piece of photography gear in your bag, but it might be one of the most useful.

And in the world of camera gear, practical, subtle usefulness can be a beautiful thing.

Enjoy it out there!

Court