UV filter for D3100

[Dareos]

Seeing as I know nothing, and am quite willing to admit that in this company, I need help

I haven't had a lot of time to get out with the camera and take a lot of shots. I've messed about indoors some but haven't got round to working out how to post pics or so (looking at Flickr in a moment), and I don't have anything worth posting atm anyways. However, i'm off to Spain (Villamartin) in a week and it's going to be hot and sunny, blue skies and gentle breezes, and not a sign of an ash cloud anywhere.....

So, knowing nothing, I was wondering about a UV filter, people seem to mention them in passing, and I take it they are used for outdoor stuff with lots of sunlight, possibly to stop the camera getting skin cancer or something. I kinda need advice on whether I need one, which type to get, where's good to buy it from and do I just leave it on the camera (someone mentioned they do this) or take it off when i store it and..... basically I want to know what I need to know

I've kinda thumbed through the dummies book I got with it, but haven't really had the time to mess around as much as I would have hoped.

Oh, i'll probably be taking a fair few photos in a pool hall while i'm out there, which I expect to be a bit darker than your average room, but really not sure about that yet, having never been.

[htid]

Actually it goes on the lens and not the camera itself. I have one on just to protect the glass from getting scratched that stays on at all times. Cheaper ones can degrade image quality, better ones won't. Oh I have to go now, someone will be sure to explain the rest to you!

[kalniel]

UV filters prevent chemical film from fogging due to UV exposure. I think the D3100 is a digital camera, so has no need of a UV for sunshine reasons. (if the sensor needs a UV filter it will be built into it already)

[DannyM]

I just use a UV filter as a lens protector, I use a Hoya filter, but you also need to buy the filter specifically for the width of your lens.

So for example I have a Tamron 17-50, which looking at the front of it, has a width of 67mm, for this I purchased a Hoya 67mm filter. I've not noticed barely any difference in image quality with it on or off.

So if you are after one, find out the width of your lens and purchase one, I'd happily recommend Hoya.

As for storing, there really is no reason to take it off, although I do recommend putting a few pouches of silica gel in your camera bag (or where ever you store it keep moisture off of your kit).