I am a materialist, I like to buy nice things, new shoes, new tech, but I don't like buying things I need.

Somehow buying items like socks, laundry detergent or spare batteries does not give the same satisfaction as buying lenses and shoes, wonder why...

This topic was prompted by my purchase a few days ago, when ordering filters to my Sigma lenses. I didn't want to spend a fortune on clear pieces of glass but I had to, it's an investment to the future. I spend a whopping 200 euros on clear protective filters from Hoya. I didn't do that much research on these but what I did know, is that there is no use buying a 5€ filter to a 1000€ lens, that would just ruin the picture quality. Why would I spend good money on a lens if I would just put a shitty filter on top of it.

I am going to be photographing some rally cars over the next weekends and the conditions are dirty and there is often little rocks flying from the road. I don't want to risk my babies getting hurt, so I finally got the filters I've been thinking of getting since I bought the lenses. I am quite careful with my camera gear, but now I don't have to be a helicopter parent to them in terms of shielding the huge front glass element. The "little one" is 72mm and the big bro is 82mm, that is a lot of surface that can potentially get scratched or cracked.

I have one more filter coming my way, a polarising one for the 18-35mm lens. I bought it in hopes of making photography on a clear sunny day more enjoyable. Will do some comparisons once it arrives, but until then, at least I have some protection on my lenses.

Always remember protection!

_{PS.If you want to comment that materialistic things don't matter, save your time and go preach to someone who cares.}