Heliopan ES UV filter

[gabek]

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When I bought my Digilux-2 I also bought a Heliopan ES UV filter. I have hardly used it, and when I did, I didn't notice a difference.

 

I’d appreciate any advice or suggestions about the use of this filter for general use outdoors, whether sunny or overcast or color vs. B&W. I always use the lens hood.

 

When I shot film, I believed I noticed a slight color shift with a UV filter, but wonder if digital is not so affected or if the coating of the Leica lens makes the UV filter less necessary.

 

Thanks,

 

Gabe

[Bob Ross]

Gabe, Were you, by any chance, using auto white balance? If so, the camera will take care of the color shifts. Try it with a preset like daylight and you might see what the filter does to color. Most better UV filters like yours are very neutral.

Bob

[grober]

Heliopan makes a fine filter. Same for Schneider B+W and the Hoya Pro line.

 

Yes, I believe most modern lens coatings will now take care of most UV problems (unless you are shooting at a higher-than-normal altitude).

 

Even so, I always use either a Heliopan or B+W filter if only to give me peace of mind that the front element of the actual lens is protected. Plus I use a lens hood too! There have been cases when the camera has been dropped with the lens hood popping off as the camera hits the surface.

 

You'll see me weep a lot less at the sacrifice of one filter rather than the extensive mourning I'll experience if the lens element itself is damaged.

 

-g

[gabek]

Heliopan makes a fine filter. Same for Schneider B+W and the Hoya Pro line.

 

Yes, I believe most modern lens coatings will now take care of most UV problems (unless you are shooting at a higher-than-normal altitude).

 

(...)

 

-g

 

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From Bob Ross -

 

Were you, by any chance, using auto white balance? If so, the camera will take care of the color shifts. Try it with a preset like daylight and you might see what the filter does to color. Most better UV filters like yours are very neutral.

Bob

 

 

Bob -

 

Yes, I have been using auto-white balance and will experiment with specific settings with the filter. Thanks!

 

--------

 

gruber -

 

I'll try to find out whether the filter makes a visible difference (in addition to protecting the front element of the lens) by testing Bob's suggestion to use a manual white balance setting.

 

Thanks both.

 

Gabe

[lkfosterl]

Heliopan makes a fine filter. Same for Schneider B+W and the Hoya Pro line.

 

Yes, I believe most modern lens coatings will now take care of most UV problems (unless you are shooting at a higher-than-normal altitude).

 

Even so, I always use either a Heliopan or B+W filter if only to give me peace of mind that the front element of the actual lens is protected. Plus I use a lens hood too! There have been cases when the camera has been dropped with the lens hood popping off as the camera hits the surface.

 

You'll see me weep a lot less at the sacrifice of one filter rather than the extensive mourning I'll experience if the lens element itself is damaged.

 

-g

 

Normally I would agree fully with this, but the second series Heliopan UV filter on my Digilux 2 contacts the front element when tightened. I don't care to damage the front element coating trying to protect it so I just leave it off.

[gabek]

Normally I would agree fully with this, but the second series Heliopan UV filter on my Digilux 2 contacts the front element when tightened. I don't care to damage the front element coating trying to protect it so I just leave it off.

 

I read that the earlier (not ES) version of Heliopan's 69mm filters for the Digilux-2 could touch the front lens element. I was reassured by reading trade reviews and posts in the old Leica forum, and told directly by the dealer, that the latest version (ES) does not touch the lens.

 

As a test, I cut a 3/4" square of thin paper and placed it on the front of the lens and attached the filter. The paper moved freely within the very narrow space across the center of the lens with no pressure from the filter. I conclude that there is no touching and I see no evidence of contact on my lens after using the filter.

 

When you say "second series," do you mean the "ES?"

 

Gabe

[lkfosterl]

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When you say "second series," do you mean the "ES?"

 

Gabe

 

Unfortunately yes, the new and improved ES. If I hold the camera in the right light I can see a small dot appear on-center as the filter threads tighten. For awhile I used some paper shims on the threads to bottom the filter out before it hit the front element, but that got old when I got a polarizing filter (which doesn't touch the front element). So much for German/Japanese precision.

[RJames]

I believe the new thicker rim Heliopan UV filter will correct the problem... The only way to tell them apart is to look at the end of the filter case. After 69 there is a -. If the box end has the dash it is the newer version. If it does not it is the older version. The new mount is only for the standard coated UV filters. The dash is not on the filter itself. Attached is a picture of the end of the case showing the dash.

Jim

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[cbretteville]

James,

I have two Heliopan filters for my D2 (as well as a Leica UVa). A slim circular pola and an ND 0.9. The pola does not have a dash after rhe '69', the ND does. Neither touches the front element of my D2.

[lkfosterl]

I believe the new thicker rim Heliopan UV filter will correct the problem... The only way to tell them apart is to look at the end of the filter case. After 69 there is a -. If the box end has the dash it is the newer version. If it does not it is the older version. The new mount is only for the standard coated UV filters. The dash is not on the filter itself. Attached is a picture of the end of the case showing the dash.

Jim

 

Yep, that's the one that touches. Just like the first one I bought for that matter. At the time I found it hard to believe that there are loose enough tolerances in making a filter for some to touch and others to not. Now I just don't use the UV filter.

[gabek]

I believe the new thicker rim Heliopan UV filter will correct the problem... The only way to tell them apart is to look at the end of the filter case. After 69 there is a -. If the box end has the dash it is the newer version. If it does not it is the older version. The new mount is only for the standard coated UV filters. The dash is not on the filter itself. Attached is a picture of the end of the case showing the dash.

Jim

 

The plot thickens. The label on the end of the box for my ES UV shows ES 69 ° with a dot, and not a dash, as in your pic. (I have used the "degree" symbol to represent the dot, although the dot is lower and is a solid black color to match the text.)

 

No matter, after my "paper test" I feel assured that the filter does not touch the lens element. I certainly will not aggressively tighten the filter!

 

I wish this was a more cut and dried situation, however. Since the filter is made by Heliopan and not Leica, I assume any related damage to the lens would not be covered by warranty. Do you agree?

 

Gabe