: Like TED writes, don't remove the frontfilter for the reason he mentions, but keep also in mind that the potential distortions (astigmatisme..) from those build-in filters are compensated in the lens design. [....]
Sigh....;-)
Additions or subtractions of filters will affect only
focus (and then only in a VERY long, fast lens...), not
other things (except under extreme conditions, mostly
related to unusual lighting conditions). I have done the
experiments, both with more critical still gear, and with
video gear, that show this. Scaring people away from
filter use is pretty silly stuff, in my opinion. BTW, in
some older Sony Mini-DV camcorders one can switch out
the infrared-blocking internal filter - I dare anyone to see
the image quality difference (other than color sensitivity)
with and without the internal filter in place, and with or
without one good-quality front filter in place, or any
combination of the above. You speak of (mostly)
non-existant problems - filters are commonly used freely
in both video and still work for good reasons: the negative
effects are minimal; the positive effects are useful.
People should not be discouraged from using good-quality
UV protection filters (or picture characteristic-altering
filters) based on theoretical (but unobservable where it
counts, in the picture viewed) problems with doing so.