Do you put a UV filter over camera lens?

Questions & Answers
1

Hi All
DJI Mini 3, I was reading some people advising to put a filter UV over the camera as its not protected.

Is this what you do?

Cheers

2

On an SLR/Mirrorless camera lens, almost always yes (for protection of the front element)…but no need for a drone as the lens is rarely, if ever, handled.

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3

I have a filter on my mini 4, i do not see any downgrade in image quality or video, i am unsure if i will ever hit a small midge of anything, but if you hit a very small branch it might sratch the lens, and with a filter might prevent it. But the chances are small but i would rather replace a cheap filter than have a scratch on the lense, But i know if you have a dslr a small scratch is more likely to be visable with an F16 rather than F1.7 so you might be ok. Just my opinion

4

Yeh thanks folks
Got one on the slr camera
It would be on the dfond merely for protection only

5

Have Skylight filters on all my SLR lenses to protect the front element :+1:

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6

I do, on all lenses, including the drones. They’re pretty cheap and replaceable so to me it makes sense. Maybe less so on a drone, but I have always been in the habbit of doing it my camera equipment so also do it with the drone. If you have a serious crash your gimble will most likely be gubbed, but a light one? The filter will take the impact a little and give you a second chance. The other thing I think about is constant cleaning. What if there is a tiny spec of grit on your cleaning cloth? Rub it over your lens and you have a scratch. Most likely not noticeable in the picture to be honest, but having a filter on the front takes the worry out of it for me. Maybe a bit of OCD?

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7

If you’re shooting into the light then remove all unnecessary filters, fewer air to glass interfaces will reduce flare.

8

easily taken care of in editing?

9

Cheers all
Any recommendations which cheapy clear filter could buy for the mini 3?

Cheers

10

Not sure how many grams they weigh, will adding a filter take your drone over 249g?

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11

I saw a coloured one and it was saying 0.7g

Will check first though incase👍

12

Not easy to deal with in editing, dehaze may help, but glare tends to be uneven.

13

Depends on what the shot is. I find a polariser is good if there are likely to be a lot of reflections (glass, water), and ND for bright conditions. Lens protection is not the foremost thing in my mind; I keep the lens and the filters clean, but it is important (I

14

Do these replies also relate to the Mini 4 Pro?
I ask because I’m under the impression I need to remove some sort of lens protector before I fit a neutral density filter - when the sun comes out!

15

So I bet you resist as long as poss putting cloth or brush to a brand new lens, huh?:grin:

16

yes. When I pay 1200 quid for a lens it doesn’t get used until there is a filter over the front. I’ll not ba able to afford another lens like that for quite some time, so I stick a 50 quid filter on the front.
Is there something unreasonable or stupid in my thinking?

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17

Absolutely not Darren, :+1:

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18

Nope - you’d think Canon, Nikon et al would provide one with the lens!!!

19

i am sure there is a better reason than just money, but some thinking is that uv filters effect quality of photo, same with mobiles some companies give you a screen protector and a charger, and some dont.

20

Yes cheap filters can have an effect, especially if couple with poorer lenses. When I was shooting many moons ago with a canon T90 coupled with cheap lenses and filters it caused problems. Filters and glass has come such a long way since then.