ND filter + UV/IR filter Stacked on M8?

[Guest zoz]

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The biggest thing isn't which way you stack the filters as much as whether the filters are multicoated or just single-coated. Leica and B+W UV-IR filters are only single coated. Heliopan's are multi coated.... .

 

I´ve bought one from Heliopan recently, but to my eye the Heliopan UV/IR-Cut filter is showing more reflection and a stronger green color-shift depending on angle of view as the leica Filters do. I do not own an B+W to compare these.

[jaapv]

I have an impression there is not much difference in ghosting between B&W and Leica filters. I do notice, however, that Leica filters scratch more easily.

[bocaburger]

I took your original response to Jaapv regarding an "ounce of prevention" as meaning to leave the filters on at all times.

 

No my response was in reference to correcting filter-caused reflections in Photoshop, vs using a filter that gives less reflections.

 

People purchase things based on opinions they read here--yes, buyer beware and all manner of warnings about Forum advice--and I think this deserves its own thread so it can be looked at closely.

 

Not a bad idea. Maybe Sean Reed will agree to do the testing, after all he gets paid for it. After 3 yrs with the M8 I've convinced myself the Heliopan filters are less problematic. I'm willing to share my experiences but not really inclined to go to great lengths to convince others. It's really not such a big deal to buy one Heliopan filter and try it for themself. Worst-case they'll end up with a spare filter.

 

Respectfully and sincerely, just because a filter appears less reflective in the conditions you describe, I do not believe it is accurate from this to conclude that when properly mounted the filter is any more or any less effective at reducing reflections, as designed. Have to mount them, have to test them to know.

 

I agree that thorough field testing is better, but I have to disagree that the level of observable reflection isn't a good indicator of the effectiveness of the A/R coating. After all, the purpose of A/R coating is to reduce surface reflection to as little as possible.

 

 

I´ve bought one from Heliopan recently, but to my eye the Heliopan UV/IR-Cut filter is showing more reflection and a stronger green color-shift depending on angle of view as the leica Filters do. I do not own an B+W to compare these.

 

That's disconcerting news if true. I hope Heliopan hasn't changed the coatings. All my Heliopan filters were purchased about 2 1/2 - 3 yrs ago. As to the stronger green color shift, that's possible. Since I use only Heliopan filters it isn't an issue because applying a global batch color balance tweak is a lot simpler than spot-cloning reflections.

 

 

I have an impression there is not much difference in ghosting between B&W and Leica filters. I do notice, however, that Leica filters scratch more easily.

 

The Heliopans seem to be a little more resistant but not that much. Definitely far from the resistance of a B+W MRC filter. That's why I ended up putting my MRC UV filters back on top of all my expensive IR filters. I find the MRC's have never once caused me an unwanted ghost or reflection so there's been no harm at all to stacking them on my IR's. I know it sounds knuckleheadded, but it's worked perfectly in practice. The only lens I can't do it with is the 15mm because a second filter vignettes the corners. Oddly I keep a (standard not slim) 55mm MRC UV on top of the (standard, not slim) 489 on my 12mm with no vignetting. (NB my adapter is homemade, not a Milich).