UV Filters and Lens Hood

[downingp]

My new Canon 40D should be arriving sometime this week. I am very excited. I am upgrading from my Canon XTi. The 40D will come with the 28-135mm IS lens. I wanted to get either a UV filter, a lens hood, or both for the camera lens. Is it necessary to have both?
As for the UV filters, I saw a couple Hoya UV filters I liked, but I wasn't sure which would be best. They have a haze filter and a polarized filter. Which one should I go with if I get a UV filter?

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

 

[compuwar]

My new Canon 40D should be arriving sometime this week. I am very excited. I am upgrading from my Canon XTi. The 40D will come with the 28-135mm IS lens. I wanted to get either a UV filter, a lens hood, or both for the camera lens. Is it necessary to have both?
As for the UV filters, I saw a couple Hoya UV filters I liked, but I wasn't sure which would be best. They have a haze filter and a polarized filter. Which one should I go with if I get a UV filter?

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

Opinions vary on the utility of UV filters for digital sensors based upon the lack of sensitivity of the sensor behind a hot mirror to UV light. A lens hood helps tremendously on off-axis stray light off to the side, as well as stopping some things from hitting the front element.

Personally, I'd either go to a camera store and shoot with a UV, Haze, Skylight and whatever else they have that's interesting, or just go for a plain glass filter if you're of the "I want a cheap filter protecting the expensive lens" type of person.

I generally only shoot with NDs or CPLs when I need them, as each glass surface degrades the resolution somewhat- though a single filter isn't generally noticeable.

 

[toxic]

the lens hood is the closest thing to necessary. The filter is your choice, but if you do get one, make sure it is multi-coated. That means Hoya SHMC or B+W MRC, for those two particular brands.

 

[osin]

Lens hood is a must!
If you will have it on all the time there is no need for UV filter, unless you shoot in harsh conditions (beach, strong wind etc)

 

[PCMacUser]

the lens hood is the closest thing to necessary. The filter is your choice, but if you do get one, make sure it is multi-coated. That means Hoya SHMC or B+W MRC, for those two particular brands.

I'll second that for the multi coated filters... if you buy a cheap UV filter you get all sorts of horrible reflections appearing in your images.