Should I use a filter on my summaron 28/5.6 ?

[Rungroj Suppagarn]

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Hello everyone,

This is my first post of this forum. I would like to know your opinion about not using a filter on a new leica summaron 28/5.6 .

I have considered to use only leica uva ii to all of my lenses but not with e34   do you think its a good idea just bear len not filter ?

Thanks 

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[thomas_schertel]

Why not? Normally the Leica lenses are made with Absorban - cement, which absorbs UV rays. So the UVA filter is not necessary.
yours sincerely
Thomas

[TomB_tx]

As I've bought a lot of used lenses, I appreciate the condition of those that have always used a filter for protection, but in use (especially at night) most filters can cause ghost reflections, so it's two sided. But I'm still more comfortable with a UVa or clear filter on lenses instead of relying on a hood for protection.

[pedaes]

The front element of the 28mm Summaron is very recessed and very small. I have used it in all lighting situations without lens hood or filter and have had no issues at all. If you do fit a filter you will probably need the lens hood as well. E34 filters are not that easy to find but they are available (but not from Leica).

Edited February 6, 2019 by pedaes

[bocaburger]

The notion that filters cause flare or ghosts is antiquated now that there are multi-layer-coated ones.  The AR coatings are as good or better than the lens itself, i.e. allows close to 100% transmission.  That said, checking the B&H website, the only multi-layer-coated one they list in 34mm is a Skylight (1A) by Heliopan.  Others are just front and rear single-coated, and those can induce flare/ghosts.  Perhaps other sources have MC UV's in 34mm that could be special ordered.  Looking at the 28mm design though, it appears like one could use a 34-39 step up ring, although Idk if it would interfere with the hood attachment.  28mm is not my fav FL, the 2 I've got are a V.4 Elmarit and a CV f/1.9 and rarely ever use them. 

Edited February 6, 2019 by bocaburger

[jaapv]

If you want to use a filter for protection, buy a protective filter from B&W or Heliopan. Those are made for the job. And have modern nano-coating.

[Ko.Fe.]

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1 hour ago, TomB_tx said:

As I've bought a lot of used lenses, I appreciate the condition of those that have always used a filter for protection, but in use (especially at night) most filters can cause ghost reflections, so it's two sided. But I'm still more comfortable with a UVa or clear filter on lenses instead of relying on a hood for protection.

I'm not using any lens without filter.

Nor I gamble:) 

Ghosting was the problem for sure with old filters. Once I switched to modern B+W made, I can't recall even single occurrence.

[Guest Nowhereman]

There are a lot of threads on photo forums on "to filter or not to filter". And some people are for it and some, like me, against it. When people used to buy cameras in camera stores, at the end of the transaction, the salesman — there were virtually no saleswomen in camera stores — would say, "now you need UV filters for those new lenses". It was simply a way of adding a high-profit item to the sale. 

My feeling — particularly if you often shoot into the light as I do — has always been that it's not good idea to add two unnecessary glass surfaces to a high-quality lens "for protection", unless you're going to get ocean spray onto the lens. There is a reference to this subject in this excellent article by Irakly on "the Leica look". If that doesn't convince you, nothing else will.
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Edited February 6, 2019 by Nowhereman

[darylgo]

Filters have saved many lenses for me.  When removed the front glass is pristine, no scratches.  Scratched glass flares much worse than any filter on the rare occasions it occurs.  

[jaapv]

7 hours ago, Nowhereman said:

There are a lot of threads on photo forums on "to filter or not to filter". And some people are for it and some, like me, against it. When people used to buy cameras in camera stores, at the end of the transaction, the salesman — there were virtually no saleswomen in camera stores — would say, "now you need UV filters for those new lenses". It was simply a way of adding a high-profit item to the sale. 

My feeling — particularly if you often shoot into the light as I do — has always been that it's not good idea to add two unnecessary glass surfaces to a high-quality lens "for protection", unless you're going to get ocean spray onto the lens. There is a reference to this subject in this excellent article by Irakly on "the Leica look". If that doesn't convince you, nothing else will.
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Essentially Irakly is right on this. However, he neglects to say that that thickness of the filter glass and the quality are essential parameters as well. Together with the coating they can reduce the impact to "theoretical"

Reason why I don't like putting UVa filters on my lenses- to thick and often inadequate coating -Leica filters sometimes more so than B&W- and prefer modern protective filters.

[pedaes]

This has become a generic filter/no filter camp debate, but getting back to the OP's dilemma, I could not find a protective filter made in E34 size by either B+W or Helipan and would be grateful for reference otherwise to help him. Step-up rings would be rather inelegant on a very elegant lens.

Edited February 7, 2019 by pedaes

[wattsy]

47 minutes ago, pedaes said:

This has become a generic filter/no filter camp debate, but getting back to the OP's dilemma, I could not find a protective filter made in E34 size by either B+W or Helipan and would be grateful for reference otherwise to help him. Step-up rings would be rather inelegant on a very elegant lens.

I got a yellow E34 multi coated Heliopan from Lumière-Shop. They do the full Heliopan range and can, I believe, order anything direct from the manufacturer.

Edited February 7, 2019 by wattsy

[jaapv]

Foto Huppert has the full B+W range of filters.

[Guest Nowhereman]

3 hours ago, darylgo said:

Filters have saved many lenses for me.  When removed the front glass is pristine, no scratches.  Scratched glass flares much worse than any filter on the rare occasions it occurs.  

My experience is the opposite, even with old lenses, with relatively soft coatings, like my 1965 DR Summicorn: that hoods are sufficient to protect against scratched. Also, considering how recessed and small the Summaron 28/5.6 is, as mentioned above, this lens is not easy to scratch — even without a hood.

[Pyrogallol]

Just had a quick search on e bay, there are several hundred 34mm filters to choose from.

[Rungroj Suppagarn]

Thank you for all of your answer. I have found the answer for my self that if I need a uva ii filter for leica I suppose to use a stop up ring from heliopan 34-39mm or just don't use anything.

 

Thank you all so much 🚶‍♂️

[jdlaing]

Just don’t use anything.

[IkarusJohn]

I’m another who doesn’t use filters (except for B&W photography, polarisers and ND filters, but rarely) - I use the Lee Sev5n filters when needed.

For protection, I use hoods and lens caps - I will often take a perfect, decisive moment photo with my M camera, with the lens cap on ...

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[Mute-on]

41 minutes ago, Rungroj Suppagarn said:

Thank you for all of your answer. I have found the answer for my self that if I need a uva ii filter for leica I suppose to use a stop up ring from heliopan 34-39mm or just don't use anything.

 

Thank you all so much 🚶‍♂️

You don’t need a step up ring. You can just buy a 34mm filter, like this one ...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1138335-REG/heliopan_703499_34mm_clear_protection_filter.html

 

Edited February 9, 2019 by Mute-on

[Fedro]

I have the 34mm filter but very very rarely use it - it is such a hassle to put it on and off, the cap no longer works when you put the filter on, you need to out on the hood first and then wiggle the filter in (I have big hands so not so easy for me).

The front element is so far back that I don't think you need it, but if you really have to there are 34mm options as others have pointed out