Few photography accessories seem to divide photographers quite like UV filters. Some swear by them, others won’t let one anywhere near the front of their lens, and the critics are often the most vocal. Spend any time in photography forums or comment sections and it can feel like using a UV filter is something you need to defend.

I happen to fall on the other side of that discussion.

I don’t use UV filters all the time, and I don’t think every photographer needs one. But I do find them incredibly useful—especially when shooting landscapes in challenging environments. For photographers at any stage, there’s value in hearing from someone who uses them based on real-world conditions rather than theory.

What a UV Filter Actually Does (and Doesn’t)

Historically, UV filters were designed to reduce ultraviolet light, which could cause haze or color shifts on film. With modern digital cameras, that original purpose is mostly irrelevant—camera sensors already include UV filtering. Today, the real role of a UV filter for most photographers is simple: it acts as a clear protective layer for the front element of the lens.

There’s no magic involved and no promise of better image quality. It’s simply an extra layer of optical glass between your lens and the environment you’re shooting in—something that can matter a lot when conditions are less than ideal.

Why I Use UV Filters in Landscape Photography

Landscape photography often puts us in environments that are beautiful—but tough on gear. These are the situations where I find UV filters to be especially useful.

Beachscapes

Shooting along the coast means dealing with salt spray, wind-blown sand, and fine mist that can coat a lens in seconds. Saltwater is corrosive and sand is abrasive. In these conditions, I’m far more comfortable cleaning a UV filter than repeatedly touching the front element of a lens.

The sunrise image below is one of my favorite beach sunrise images. It was taken at high tide and I was able to capture the cascading surf over the coquina rocks. The photo was taken at 18mm (full frame equivalent) which meant the camera was placed very close to the incoming tide. Seaspray was ever present and the UV filter helped keep the lens front element clean and I didn’t have to worry about constantly wiping off the spray.

Desert Environments

Wind-driven sand and dust are a constant in desert locations. Even when conditions appear calm, fine particles are always in the air. A UV filter acts as a sacrificial layer that takes the brunt of that exposure.

The image below was taken at a location in Southern Utah called “Cosmic Ashtray”. This natural phenomenon is the result of wind driven sand carving into the sandstone. On the particular day I shot this the wind was excessive, blowing sand everywhere. I had sand in my camera bag, pockets, ears, etc. Fortunately, I didn’t have to worry about sand blasting my lens because othe UV filter I was using to protect it.

Waterfalls

Waterfalls are notorious for fine mist that can quickly accumulate on the front of a lens, regardless of focal length. When shooting close to the falls—or when wind pushes spray toward your position—frequent cleaning is unavoidable. In those situations, I’d rather wipe down a UV filter than the lens itself.

In all of these situations, this isn’t about protection from drops or impacts—I always use a lens hood for that. The UV filter is there to reduce unnecessary contact with the lens’s front element from substances that can scratch, etch, or slowly wear down lens coatings.

The image below is of the well known Skogafoss waterfall in Iceland. It is impossible to get close to that waterfall and keep mist off of your camera. Again, I’d rather clean the UV filter non-stop than have to constantly wipe off the front lens element.

“Just Don’t Touch the Lens” Isn’t Realistic

One argument I hear often is that careful photographers don’t need any added protection. In theory, that sounds reasonable. In practice, it ignores what actually happens when you spend time shooting outdoors. If you shoot landscapes long enough, you’ll need to clean your lens in the field. Mist happens. Spray happens. Dust happens. Frequent cleaning is part of the process. Some photographers are fully aware of those risks and still prefer to clean the lens’s front element directly, and that’s completely fine. For me, a UV filter makes those moments much less stressful. Wiping down a filter with a microfiber cloth feels very different than doing the same thing directly on a lens’s front element.

Lenses as an Investment

Another factor that often gets overlooked in the UV filter discussion is resale value. I frequently sell lenses to help fund other photography gear. Because of that, I tend to think of lenses as an investment—one I want to protect over the long term. A lens with a front element that’s still as clean as the day it was purchased is simply easier to sell, and it often commands a higher price. Scratches, coating damage, or visible blemishes on the front element can raise concerns for buyers, even if those imperfections don’t noticeably affect image quality. Fair or not, cosmetic condition matters on the used market. Using a UV filter in harsh environments helps reduce the chances of that kind of wear. If something gets scratched or damaged, I’d much rather replace a filter than explain marks on the actual lens glass. And realistically, if you were shopping for a used lens, would you feel better buying one with a pristine front element—or one with visible scratches or blemishes?

Image Quality: The Question Everyone Asks

This is usually where the discussion becomes the most animated. In my own experience, I’ve never noticed a meaningful degradation in image quality from using a good-quality UV filter. I haven’t seen a loss of sharpness, added haze, or an increase in flare beyond what the lens already produces on its own. As with most things in photography, quality matters. Putting a low-quality filter in front of a high-quality lens doesn’t make much sense. If you choose to use a UV filter, it should be optically sound and well-coated.

When I Don’t Use a UV Filter

Despite everything I’ve said so far, there are plenty of times when I don’t use a UV filter. The most common reason is simple: when I need to use another type of filter. If I’m shooting with neutral density filters, graduated ND filters, or a polarizer, the UV filter comes off. I’m not a fan of stacking filters—especially unnecessarily. Each additional piece of glass introduces the potential for image quality compromises, including reduced contrast, increased flare, or subtle loss of sharpness. Stacking filters can also increase the risk of vignetting, particularly on wide-angle lenses. Even slim filters add physical depth, and that can become visible in the corners when multiple filters are combined. There’s also a practical consideration: compatibility. If filters aren’t from the same brand or system, stacking can sometimes lead to fit issues, binding, or uneven spacing. While none of these are guaranteed problems, they’re variables I’d rather eliminate when image quality is the top priority. In those situations, I prioritize the creative filter that’s actively shaping the image—whether that’s controlling shutter speed, managing reflections, or balancing dynamic range. Once the UV filter stops serving a clear purpose, it comes off. This is why I don’t think of UV filters as something that should live permanently on the lens. They’re a situational tool. When the environment is harsh and frequent cleaning is unavoidable, they earn their place. When another filter is doing the heavy lifting, simplicity wins.

Final Thoughts

UV filters aren’t for everyone, and that’s fine. But they’re far from useless, and they certainly aren’t something any photographer should feel hesitant about using. If a UV filter helps protect your gear, preserves long-term value, reduces stress in harsh conditions, and lets you stay focused on making photographs—whether that’s at the coast, in the desert, or near waterfalls—then it’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.

UV Filters: Why I Still Use Them (and When I Don’t)