UV versus Polarizer

[jazzboybenny]

sorry if this subject has been bored to death, or if there's already a thread on it...( i did look, but couldn't find a topic on it).

Would you recommend using a UV AND Polarizer at the same time, or is it better to use one or the other?
I'm going to Germany next week - expecting a lot of snow - and I believe the Polarizer will help to enhance the blueness of the sky etc. Should I keep the UV filter on too? Will it help or hinder the final image?

Thanks.

[erichlund]

Most people who use a UV filter use it only to protect the lens. You would remove it when using a polarizer.

[jazzboybenny]

snow reflects UV rays tho, so is it still safe enough (image-wise) to take it off?

[timmciglobal]

Sensor's don't record UV light.

The only "benefit' to a UV filter is suposidly some EM damage and lens physical damage by being exposed to UV. Seeing as I've never seen any harm and my lens sits "exposed" to UV radiation (as does our entire planet all the time) I think it's quite safe.

Tim

[tclune]

I know that with color film, you could get a bluish haze especially in high mountainous regions if you didn't use either a UV or a sky filter. Are digital cameras immune to the effects of UV in this way?

[tim11]

snow reflects UV rays tho, so is it still safe enough (image-wise) to take it off?
I don't really know what UV rays does to camera but I use UV filter to protect physical damage to the lens; and I believe many people use it for the same purpose. UV filter is much cheaper to replace. With UV filter on, I only has to clean the lens once every month or so.
Just imagine yourself taking the camera to the beach and got sprayed by the fine mist of the surf. If you have a UV filter you only have to clean the filter and wipe camera body with damp paper tissue [and never have to worry about the lens].
Polariser is handy when you have strong sunlight to put it in simple term. It cuts off the glare making the sky seems more blue and the cloud whiter.
Some purists argue why putting cheap filter in front of expensive lens? ...

[jazzboybenny]

ok, cool. thanx.
i noticed that u took that pic with both your UV and Polarizer on...(or not??!)
do u always have both of them on all the time?

[tim11]

ok, cool. thanx.
i noticed that u took that pic with both your UV and Polarizer on...(or not??!)
do u always have both of them on all the time?
I deleted the pic but you beat me to it. :)
Okay... so here you are again. Both had polariser on but on sydneyharbour052.jpg I didn't turn enough angle on the filter so you can see more glare. See the diff. on sydneyharbour054.jpg
I only use polariser on sunny days outdoors. Other times I almost always have UV filter on, unless when I take macro shots and want to get closer to subjects.
Edit: You can only put either UV or polariser at any given time, not both.