Like insurance for your camera.
A UV filter helps protect against ultraviolet sun rays, harsh wind, sand, and dirt. Clumsy? It also acts as a drop-proof mechanism for your worst Butterfinger moments. The reason they call it a UV filter might be apparent — as it’s primarily used for blocking the UV rays from entering the lens. Initially used for film photography, these bad boys can be extremely useful for protecting the longevity of your camera gear and manually controlling how light hits your image. While these are particularly useful for sunny days, they can block that usually unwanted blue haze in any situation.
You don’t need a UV filter to block UV light to take good photos, let’s be honest. These filters are perfect for simply protecting the outside of your lens. I’m an active photographer who loves bringing my camera to the silliest places (like a sandy beach or a rocky mountain). It’s important to me that my expensive lens is heavily protected from the outside elements. My good friend once fell on a slippery mountain top, and her camera went flying, busting up her lens severely. But wait! We looked further and noticed that she had her trusty UV filter on, saving her thousands of dollars after her spill. Phew! You need to invest in an outer filter like a screen protector for your phone. If you think you don’t, think again.