Saturday, October 03, 2009

Camera Protection

DSLR (digital single lens reflex camera) used to be luxury items. With the price drop in the last few years, more and more people own them. Today, when I stroll along the street or shopping mall, I often see people with DSLR dangling around their necks or shoulders. In many cases, the lens caps have been removed.

How do you protect your camera lens from accidental damage?

Rule #1: Always replace the lens cap when you are not taking picture.

Rule #2: If you are not going to take picture in the next 10 minutes, keep the camera inside the bag.


One common way to protect the lens is to attach a UV filter over it. When I bought my Canon 50mm f1.8 lens for RM300, I invested another RM60 for a UV filter. However, after comparing the pictures taken with and without the filter, I regretted.

UV filter degrades image quality. This is particular true if you use a low-quality filter. High-quality filters, such as those made by B+W, fare better, but they are pricey. As such, I suggest that you only buy a protective filter for the expensive lens. Never attach a low-quality UV filter to a high-grade lens.

Another way to protect the lens is to use the lens hood. Unlike UV filter, lens hood does not degrade image quality. However, hoods for wide-angle lenses may be too shallow to be effective.

Rule #3: Hang your camera over your neck, NOT shoulder.


If, on the other hand, you use a compact camera, remember to power it off when not taking picture.


Lens hood for protection

25 comments:

  1. will 请教 you more when i happen to buy a DSLR :p

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  2. Nice tips here Kheng Siong! But DSLR is still considered luxury to me. Because I'm poor. LOL :D But still...I wish I could own one one day!

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  3. 原來這個就是保護罩噢

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  4. Thanks for sharing. I have a filter over all my lens and I always use a lens hood when I shoot. However, I don't use a lens hood for my Canon 50mm though.

    I didn't know that a low quality filter can have an effect on image quality. All my filters cost over RM100. I am not sure if that's considered good quality filters.

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  5. Great tips! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. kikey
    No problem.

    tekkaus
    You may not need a DSLR. They are heavy.

    龙猫
    遮光罩!

    Mei Ting
    Lens hoods take up too much space of my bag :(

    You can try to compare images with and without filter...

    Happysurfer
    You're welcome.

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  7. Great tips. Thanks for sharing. I am aiming to buy Canon EOS500. I guess it is good enough for me, being new to DSLR. Any suggestion/comment?

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  8. I don't have a DSLR either. I think I am pretty happy with my compact camera. And I always replace the lens cap when I 'm not taking pictures : )

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  9. I was advised to buy a UV filter ASAP and I never regretted it. I don't find much difference with or without on the quality of the picture actually, even though mine was pretty cheap ($10).

    A good camera bag is good too.

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  10. Having DSLR just like having car.. High maintenance le...

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  11. Grass
    Yes, that's good for you as a beginner.

    wenn
    :)

    foongpc
    Yes, replacing lens cap is a good practice.

    Zhu
    Sadly, even camera bag is expensive :(

    keeyit
    I know of a person who replaces his car a few times a year. Car is still a more expensive hobby.

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  12. hello khengsiong,first time coming by here.. so u r interested in photography too.. i dont know much about cameras and i admit im indeed an amateur when it comes to taking pics..

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  13. reanaclaire
    Thanks for dropping by :)

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  14. thanks for da info!
    wait till i can afford a huge ass canggih camera

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  15. I guess it's common sense to always replace the lens cap when it's not in use, not sure why there are people who don't bother to.

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  16. annant
    OK.

    witch
    Maybe they want to be 'ever ready'.

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  17. looks like a black tulip ~ XD

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  18. What is your brand of your UV filter?

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  19. Leon
    I bought a Hoya multi-coated filter, but hardly use it.

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  20. Oh my! I think I have the same one too...hm.. can you do a photo without and without UV filter to show the results? Can we do a link exchange too from my leonography to this blog and vice verse?

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  21. Leon
    Oh, the RM60-filter I bought was Hoya 'single-coated'. The multi-coated one should be better.

    Exchange link? No problem.

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  22. Oh! Mine is a multi-coated! but I am not sure if it is Hoya...have to go back to check. Added your link from my blog. :)

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  23. Leon
    Hoya and Kenko are the same.

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