Lenoard,

My feeling is...there is a lens cap for protection of the lens. Any filters I add to the mix usually are not of the same quality as the lens..even the higher end units...and become the weakest link in glass ...and can even reduce your glass (if it is a high end lens) to a moderate consumer grade piece of glass. For this purpose...I only use filters when needed....and never for protection. (LOL...but then again...I never walk around with my camera mounted to my tripod and my tripod over my shoulder...etc...a pet peeve of mine...I can always just imagine a nice 3 stooges move...Whooop..Whoooop...whooop!)

I put my lens cap on when I am not actually taking a picture....and take it off just before hand. This also keeps the lens clean and dry on the end.

As for cleaning...I actually use the microfiber towels from Costco. Their super cheap....and non scratch enough that I used them to even clean CD's....their that dependable. Just insure you dont get any dirt on it...or clingys...the stuff is like velcro...and darned near anything attaches to the little micro loops....just run a dry hand across it to see....you'll be supprised.