Truthfully, near the equator, we don't experience much UV light, which the UV filter is supposed to keep out. But the secondary of using it to protect your lens' glass comes into play
HTH.
In regards to getting the free gifts, I am not sure where you purchase it from, but if you do shop around, you might be able to get better free gifts. I hope you are not getting it from the current PC Show, as the prices are the fixed prices from Canon, and not the discount that the individual retail stores are able to give you.
As to which shops to get from, here maybe a helpful list.
CP-1: Cathay Photo, #01-11, 14 Peninsula Plaza (Main) | 6337-4274 |
email@cathayphoto.com.sg
CP-2: Cathay Photo, Peninsula (Printer Section) | 6338-7783 |
email@cathayphoto.com.sg
CP-3: Cathay Photo, Peninsula (Tripod Section) | 6338-0451 |
email@cathayphoto.com.sg
CP-M: Cathay Photo, #02-215, Marina Square | 6339-6188 |
email@cathayphoto.com.sg
JO: John 3:16, #05-37 Funan Digitalife Mall | 6337-2877 | 6337-1897 |
j316ps@gmail.com
MS: MS Color (Main), 711 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8, #01-3501C | 6457-6380 |
sales@mscolor.com.sg
MS: MS Color (AMK Hub), 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 #02-24 | 6452-2828 |
sales@mscolor.com.sg
OP: Orient Photo, #06-31 | 53 Sim Lim Square | 6339-1035 |
sales@orientfoto.com.sg
PA-N: Parisilk (North), 7 Transit Road | 6452-1593
PA-HV: Parisilk (Central), 15A Lorong Liput | 6466-6002
PA-E: Parisilk (East), Blk 214 #01-179 Bedok Central | 6441-6066
SLRR: SLR Revolution, #05-K7 Funan Digitalife Mall | 6336-8767 |
rayslr.revo@gmail.com
TCW: The Camera Workshop, 3 Coleman Street #01-31 | 6336-1956 6336-7808 |
tcwkshop@singnet.com.sg
TK: T.K. Foto Technic, #02-14 Funan Digitalife Mall | 6292-8167 |
sales@tkfoto.com.sg
Cheers!