>>3392635as a former camera salesman who worked at a shop with a service centre, I have a few things to say about filters.
1) the salesman often makes more money selling you a $50 filter than a $2000 camera
2) a cheap filter will negatively affect your images through flair, ghosting, and softness
3) I have seen more filters damage front elements than accidental taps or bumps, a hit that might not otherwise damage the lens can send glass shards into the front element of the lens.
4) filters do often save filter threads on the lens by taking the hit
5) brass rings are superior to aluminum.
from what I have seen you are probably better off by taking the glass out of a UV filter and just putting a brass filter ring on the front of your lens.
A lens hood will often do the same thing
