HazeFilter on DigitalRebel XT

[mommytime]

Hi - somewhat of a lurker with a question from the seasoned photographers :o)

I added a Haze Filter to my Digital Rebel XT because a friend told me that it would help with sunny pictures, but could also serve the dual purpose of protecting the lens. I've noticed that my pictures aren't as "crisp" as before. The lens is made by Canon for a Canon camera.

Does anyone else use this filter and do you leave it on your camera at all times?

Also, how often do you clean your lens? Is there a "tutorial" on this? I've had the camera for over a year and have never really "cleaned the lens" other than wiping it down with my sleeve - lol.

Thanks so much!
Grace

[Deanna]

I also bought some filters for my lenses when I first started out..After a few photography classes under my belt, I learned that often just adding a filter to your lens, is like throwing a cheaper price of glass infront of them, often reducing image sharpness...So i only use my filters very rarely now.

[bethwillis]

I'm also with Deanna I don't use filters on my lenses at all but if I want some extra piece of mind when it comes to protection of my lens like it I were to drop it, I use a lens hood on mine- which is just a piece of plastic type material that goes around the lens not over the lens and so if it were dropped it would probably break the lens hood, very cheap piece of material rather than my expensive lens. I also like the lens hood for keeping the sun so it isn't directly hitting my lens.

[kddardmom]

I've used a haze filter on my slr's since 1996.
I've never noticed a difference in image quality; and I did have to look around to find one in stock for my D70....

[seebee]

I just got my Rebel XT a couple of days ago, and I have the UV Haze filter, too. (For protection reasons.) I tried taking a pic with it off and I couldn't see a difference. That's not the end-all answer to the question, but at the moment I'll leave it on. :)

[mommytime]

Thanks for the info ladies. I think I'm going to take mine off for awhile and see what it does. I wanted to leave it on the protect the lens, but I'm kind of getting the impression that it's just adding another barrier to a super clear photo.

Thanks so much!