Shooting film with or without UV filter

[grandetech]

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I know there are a lot of info on the net about this topic, I just wonder what your actual experience were when not shooting with having a UV filter on, both on color and B/W film.

 

The reason I ask this is I have an old Leica lens which is hard to find a filter for it, and I want to know if I am too silly to shoot without one.

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[giordano]

First, it's always better to shoot without a UV filter than not to shoot at all.

 

With B&W film, very few photographs are spoilt by lack of a UV filter, but many can be improved by a coloured filter, most often a pale or mid yellow.

 

Where UV filters are needed is with daylight colour film and old lenses, especially in the tropics or at high altitudes, where there is more UV light. Modern lenses block most of the UV, making additional filtration unnecessary in ordinary circumstances.

[grandetech]

Thanks, John, you have answered my question very well. I guess I might have to get one then, my few lens are vintage 1955 - 1969, and I shoot color 80%. Before I find one, for less being affected, I may shoot some B/W film first, albeit I heard UV filter can minimize some haze effect in B/W.

[giordano]

I heard UV filter can minimize some haze effect in B/W.

 

You heard right. But a pale yellow filter is more effective.

[sc_rufctr]

I've used a green filter with great results on my Lux 80, 1.4.

[wildlightphoto]

What lens are you using? R lenses, even those as old as those from 1965, block UV light. I've never used UV filters on my R lenses.

[grandetech]

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What lens are you using? R lenses, even those as old as those from 1965, block UV light. I've never used UV filters on my R lenses.

 

Its actually M lens - the summarit 1955 which as some purple coating, I know this is R forum section but I am always reading here since I have lots of R as well, sorry. Thanks for telling me no UV filters require on R lenses.

[wildlightphoto]

Its actually M lens - the summarit 1955 which as some purple coating, I know this is R forum section but I am always reading here since I have lots of R as well, sorry. Thanks for telling me no UV filters require on R lenses.

 

Unless I'm mistaken your Summarit's coating is softer than coatings on a modern lens, so a protection filter of some sort may be prudent.

[grandetech]

You are not only expert on R lens but also has good knowledge on M, yes indeed it has soft coating, rather to protect the already quite some scratch coating, I would care more about the UV effects on a porn Summarit when shooting color.