UV filters...are they degrading images?

[Agilulfo]

There are a B+W Clear filter on all of my lenses just for protection. That means I spend a lot of money in filters and I have saved even more in lenses.

It's all depends of the work you have to do. In my case lenses are in danger very often. Even when there are no risk of being damaged but it's raining or I'm in a dusty place, I keep the filter because I prefer to clean it instead of the lens.

I don't know how a clear filter affects to the image but I can assure you that no one of my customers have ever said "I don't want this pictures: they are taken with a filter".

[Raid]

If you want to learn more about the problem, here is an excellent article.

http://toothwalker.org/optics/filterflare.html

As I like high contrast and sun shots the cheap UV filters I brought were a disaster, lots of flare. SSince 2007, none of my lenses have filters and as you would expect the IQ has greatly improved.

As for using them for protection, my old walk around lens EF-S 17-85 received a 3mm long scratch at the edge of the front element. I now always put the lens cap on when not shooting.

Life is about risk management.