Protection filter or not?

[wildlightphoto]

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I would also much prefer the protective filter shatter upon a drop, than the front element get ruined.

 

I would too but that's not what happened when I dropped my 280mm f/4 APO, which has a built-in protective front plate. The protective plate was fine but the front element - behind the protective plate - was chipped.

[Jaybob]

I would too but that's not what happened when I dropped my 280mm f/4 APO, which has a built-in protective front plate. The protective plate was fine but the front element - behind the protective plate - was chipped.

 

That seems like just bad luck. Not too terribly proud to say it, but I've dropped stuff myself. There's no worse feeling. Imagine this, standing behind your car, trunk open and you hear that $1200 sound of metal meeting pavement as you pull your bag up onto your shoulder. I've been lucky enough to have been insured when there was lens damage, but I've also been left with destroyed plastic hoods and UV filtration that took one for the team leaving me no external or internal damage to the lens. I've also been lucky enough to have this only happen to my Nikkors.

 

By the way, your pictures are outstanding!

[mhulbert]

Light yellow for B&W during the day; UV for colour and for low light B&W).

 

If I am doing something wrong don't tell me as I have doing this for 30 years and if loving this is wrong I don't wanna be right . . .

[rob_x2004]

...

 

That would have to be a good argument for the (exceptionally practical) plastic lens hood wouldnt it?

Shame they run out over thirty five:(.

[jacarape]

My 2 super expensive lenes (to me) are the 35/1.4 ASPH and 75/1.4. They live with filters. If I miss a few shots oh well, the 75 is LN, I'd like it to be that way when it's sold. Both were purchased used.

[therefromhere]

Do you mean the "UV/IR" because of the M8? ...... I suspect.

 

yea, the UV/IR... my fault - thanks for the correction!

[peter_n]

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Don't worry about all the filter 'hype' from other manufactures, they are all basically the same if new and modern.

Wrong.

None for me. I feel that putting a "cheap" filter in front on an expensive lens is silly but that is just me

Right.

 

If you're using quality glass get quality filters, otherwise you will get degradation. B+W and Heliopan are good brands.

[Stefan-S]

btw:

Does anyone have a solution for the WATE on fullframe other then the big Leica thing?

The sunshade is'nt really a protection for the front element of the WATE and the Milich adapter causes vignetting.

thanks

[zipper]

So far I have been using UVa filters on my lenses for protection of the glas.

Is it good practice? And does it have any negativ influence on the photographic result?

Are there many of you using filter for protection?

 

Ola

 

this is not an easy one, it depends if you feel lucky. Personally, if I don't need a filter for colour correction purposes I like to shoot without filters but with a lens hood whenever I can - this not only protects from flare but offers some pysical protection too. I heard once that the Leica Photo school always recommended shooting filter-less for best performance - presumably on the basis that with the best lenses it is a shame to have to shoot through an extra sheet of glass. But, for everyday use - let alone in dust or sea spray, I tend to filter - after I once saw a nearly new 21 ASPH Elmarit which had little circular rings permanently etched into the coating from being splashed by a spilt glass of Italian Proseco (I had the same splash damage to the supposedly impervious nickle plating on a Uberti 1873). I too have heard good things of multicoated B&W (which I use along with some Leica) and also Helipan, the later is supposed to be even better at preventing internal reflections.

[jacarape]

All of my L camera equipment will be sold one of these days. I might keep the MP and find a beater 50 for it.

 

My 75/1.4 is like new, really pristine so I need to sell it in its' present condition, the filter is essential.

[scsambrook]

Is there a difference in quality between the Leica UVa filters and the B+W 010 MRC? Does Leica actually manufacture the glass for their filters, or are they rebranded from another manufacturer?

 

When my 'free' UV-IR filters arrived from Leica after I bought my M8, the shipping documentation said they were of Japanese origin.

[StS]

That would have to be a good argument for the (exceptionally practical) plastic lens hood wouldnt it?

Shame they run out over thirty five:(.

 

I'm an ardent worshipper of lens hoods. The lens fell out of a new photo bag, I learned at this occasion it's design is less than brilliant. The lens was secured in an additional neoprene bag but slipped out of this as well. The lens is unharmed, apart from a dent in the integrated lens hood.

 

I learned at this occasion paranoia is not going to save one.

 

Stefan

[erl]

My recent fall caused serious damage to my 75/2.0, but it saved my UV filter from any damage.

[zipper]

My recent fall caused serious damage to my 75/2.0, but it saved my UV filter from any damage.

 

a damn close thing, that'll teach you, leave the filter safe at home next time...

[koray]

I once purchased a near mint condition Summicron Rigid 50. The old gentleman told me he had the UV filter on it all the time. The lens arrived, and yes he was right. The lens surface was pitted with fungus for million times!

 

If you are keeping your filters on older lenses permanently, give it another thought.

 

K.

[honcho]

I have never used a filter for 'protection'. That is what a lens cap is for.

[lincoln_m]

Not.

I too have found that occasionally a UV filter causes flare or reflections which you don't know about until you get the film back. I have tried warm up filters, polarisers (Kenro), Yellow filters, none have made my shots any better and often made things worse when you forget you have a yellow filter and put the lens on the slide film body. I do sometimes put the UV filter on for extra protection when travelling.

 

The lens cap is also needed to stop the sun from burning a hole in your shutter if you have it pointing skywards when out taking landscapes (focus is usually on oo).

 

So a cap is the best protection.

 

But if you are wanting to have the camera freely available at a moments notice and there is a good chance of knocks, sand etc then it may be better to be safe and use a UV than chance the lens bashing into a rock.

 

Lincoln

[noah_addis]

I always use filters and I never use lens caps. I work under harsh conditions so the protection is important. But I'd rather have some minute degradation of the image (which I'm not sure is even the case under most circumstances) than miss a shot fiddling with a lens cap.

 

I use the B+W brand MRC filters on all of my gear. They seem much better made than the Leica filters in my opinion. The mounts seem sturdier and more precise.

 

I can't even remember how many filters I've broken or scratched over the years:eek:

[Wiggi]

B+W offers a protective glass without any filtering.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[tobey bilek]

Twice in 50 years I have had a filter save a front element. Once a bag fell off my shoulder and a reflex camera + motor was behind the lens that hit pavement first. Filter was DESTROYED & lens helicle needed straightening. I am using the lens today. The other fell off a shelf onto a wood floor. Filter rim was bent, but the 90 2.0 survived in tact.

 

It does limit resolution on fine grain monochrome film if you check carefully and sometimes you get reflections where they don`t belong.

 

Obviously they protect from water and sand andbaby finger prints and the like.

 

Pretty much I go without today unless there is a specifc need.

 

Even with an M8 I would go go without unless I had a specific need like a fashion job or wedding. For the occasional black turned purple, I use color select and desaturate on photoshop. Obviously I would not want to do this for a full wedding.