uv filter for protection

[kb7001]

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Do any of you use a clear filter at all times to protect the Leica Q lens?  If so, what brand do you recommend?  Perhaps it's not a good idea putting more glass in front of this fine lens?

[jaapv]

I would strongly recommend the B&W 007 Nano. Not only is it thinner than a regular UV filter, thus fewer aberrations, it is also tougher and the Nano-coating helps to keep it clean.

You will be hard-pushed to see any detrimental effect.

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[Leica Guy]

+1. I use the B&W filter. I also have a polarizer that I occasionally use as well as a 6-stop ND filter for photographing flowing water.

[pixelman]

Do any of you use a clear filter at all times to protect the Leica Q lens? If so, what brand do you recommend? Perhaps it's not a good idea putting more glass in front of this fine lens?

a decent filter shouldn’t impact image quality at all except n very harsh lighting. I’d recommend the Hoya hmc or a b+w mrc as these coatings are easy to clean. I used to be a die hard b+w fan, but in the recent examples I’ve purchased the Hoya actually seemed better made than the b+w.

[jaapv]

Yes, but an UV filter is made for filtering UV, and a protective filter is made for protecting and will use more suitable glass. Both  B&W and Heliopan provide them. Hoya recommends their HD Protector filter for the purpose.

 

http://www.hoyafilter.com/hoya/products/hdfilters/hdfilterprotector/

[Guest]

I have personally never used a UV filter to "protect" my lenses' front elements because I have always used a lens shade on all of them. It should do the trick if you do drop your camera. If you are careless enough to bang your "$4k+" camera or drop it on the ground, you might want to reconsider your hobby. By the way, I say this in all good humor and not to make fun of your question. You know that UV filters are no longer needed in digital photography and therefore "armoring" your precious new acquisition is more in question here. Go for the original lens shade provided by Leica and you should be all right!

 

Not a sermon, just a thought.

 

Sincerely,

 

Alton 

 

P.S.: The only camera I dropped by accident was a Nikon FE 2 in the early 90s and the metal shade did his job!

[jaapv]

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Actually, sensors are more sensitive to UV than film. The point is that lenses have been UV-proofed for decades, the Leica ones even since the 1950ies.

[Guest]

Actually, sensors are more sensitive to UV than film. The point is that lenses have been UV-proofed for decades, the Leica ones even since the 1950ies.

Hey Jaapv,

I certainly do not want to get into an argument here, but I'd be really interested in getting some sources stating that sensors are more sensitive to UVs. Facts please, facts.

 

Sincerely,

 

Alton

[Guest]

This could be of help if this topic really is of interest to anyone.

 

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3881188

 

Sincerely,

 

Alton

[jaapv]

A bit of misinformation in that thread; I have been doing UV photography with  the M8. There is no real problem with sharpness or exposure. Although the thick filter stack on DSLR and Mirrorless cameras does indeed reduce UV contamination substantially, the sensor itself is highly sensitive, which does show on our thinly filtered Leicas.

 

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[jaapv]

I had to use an LTM Summarit 50/1.5 here, as more modern lenses, using Absorban kit or special coatings, are UV-opaque.

 

 

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[microview]

I bought the B&W filter really because I so disliked the lens cap for the Q. Pics with/without it in place indistinguishable, as suggested above.

[Martin B]

A bit of misinformation in that thread; I have been doing UV photography with  the M8. There is no real problem with sharpness or exposure. Although the thick filter stack on DSLR and Mirrorless cameras does indeed reduce UV contamination substantially, the sensor itself is highly sensitive, which does show on our thinly filtered Leicas.

 

uv3.jpg

 

Did you use a filter to cut off the wave length range above 200 nm (visible and IR)?

[RickP]

First thing I buy with a new lens is a B&W Clear Protective Filter .. it stays on all the time. I clean the filter every time I use the lens. I never have to clean the lens. The glass on my older lenses look just like new . There is no difference in picture quality with or without the filter.

[Dominique1952]

I have personally never used a UV filter to "protect" my lenses' front elements because I have always used a lens shade on all of them. It should do the trick if you do drop your camera. If you are careless enough to bang your "$4k+" camera or drop it on the ground, you might want to reconsider your hobby. By the way, I say this in all good humor and not to make fun of your question. You know that UV filters are no longer needed in digital photography and therefore "armoring" your precious new acquisition is more in question here. Go for the original lens shade provided by Leica and you should be all right!

 

Not a sermon, just a thought.

 

Sincerely,

 

Alton 

 

P.S.: The only camera I dropped by accident was a Nikon FE 2 in the early 90s and the metal shade did his job!

 

I got my first Leica in 1981. Since that year I never used any UV or protective filter and I'll not. I can actually say that none of my lenses are scratched and believe me, I've used them a lot.

[Leica Guy]

I read one persons experience is to always use a protective filter and another’s is to never use a protective filter. Then I think of how I operate. I always use a filter on the Q and for the past 15 years I’ve never used a protective filter on an extensive collection of Canon “L” lenses. I think I’m schizophrenic just like the rest of you. :-)

 

The funny thing to me is how comfortable I am without filters on the Canon, yet it just feels right on the Q. Honestly, I don’t know why I am the way I am. LOL!!

[jaapv]

Did you use a filter to cut off the wave length range above 200 nm (visible and IR)?

Yes, I used a B+W 403 filter.

[kb7001]

Thanks for all the replies.  I only want the filter to protect the lens from the (tiny)  salt particles in the air when I am at the windy beach. I always use the lens shade for general purpose protection and, of course, to reduce extraneous light.  Anyway, I got the B&W 007 nano.  

[sblitz]

good move .... because of the way the lens cap kept falling off the hood i just put a filter on and leave the lens cap at home .... works great .... enjoy!

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[Lins-Barroso]

 

 

Do any of you use a clear filter at all times to protect the Leica Q lens?  If so, what brand do you recommend?  Perhaps it's not a good idea putting more glass in front of this fine lens?

... go with the LEICA FILTER.

It is more expensive, but it has soul.

And you don't buy one filter per month, but just one... per Q.

Even Mr. Andreas Kaufmann - The Leica's Owner - use filter in his Leica Q!