UV filters and M9

[xjr]

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Can a UV filter [for lense protection] affect the performance of the M9 in any way ?

[henkv]

I've the original Leica UVa filter and made photos with and without it. No differences.

[lars_bergquist]

Neither 'brand name' Leica filters nor the excellent B+W filters make any difference, from 18 to 135mm.

 

The old man from the Age of the Yellow Filter

[jaapv]

In theory - yes - any filter will deteriorate the quality of the lens somewhat, except if the lens was designed to be used with a filter. However, in 95% of the cases it will be impossible to notice this difference.

[jklotz]

shot with no IR filter:

 

shot with IR filter:

 

 

I'm just sayin'....

[Guest WPalank]

shot with no IR filter:....

 

 

shot with IR filter:....

 

 

 

I'm just sayin'....

 

The OP was asking about "UV filters".

[jklotz]

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The OP was asking about "UV filters".

 

My mistake.

[smoody]

One thing to note in the off-chance you're not aware of it: Putting filters on some Leica lenses (B+W filters, anyway -- I haven't tried Leica) prevents the hood from being used with the lens, which can impact quality.

 

Also, you only asked about B+W and Leica filters, but I found these photos of a lens flare comparison made between a high-end B+W UV filter and a cheaper, uncoated Hoya filter interesting:

 

UV Filter Lens Flare Test (Naked vs Uncoated Hoya vs B+W XS-Pro): Micro Four Thirds Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

 

Lesson there is, of course, if you're going to get UV filters, it pays to get the best.

[tdtaylor]

I have found as long as I use high quality filters, usually multi-coated, I could not tell the difference (at lease over several decades with my Nikons). The only time I have see a difference is night shots- I now always remove them for these shots.

[Frank Sprow]

Personally, not as a result of scientific testing, I leave my lenses "naked" unless in a very dirty or sandy environment -- or one with sea spray. I generally leave my lens hoods on for a bit of protection.

[Eoin]

Given the cost of the Leica lenses and unless you have passport warranty to cover all accidental damage, I can see no reason to NOT to take precautions and add a UV filter to protect the front element.

 

It's always more preferable to clean a filter than clean a lens front element when the time comes to remove an oily fingerprint or some other contamination. Some situations may dictate the removal of a filter to prevent internal reflections or flair, but by in large I'm of the opinion it's better to be safe than sorry after the fact.

[Ed_K]

All my lens got some kind of filters for protection, as there's a couple of times that i poked my fingers into the lens ... clumsy old me. Btw Smoothy has a good point about the filter and hood, because my old b+w filter has certain thickness, by the time i put it on my 90 Summicron, there is little left on the hood to shield off stray light .... go figure :-P