UV Filter for M lenses

[Narsuitus]

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1 hour ago, pgk said:

I defy anyone to illustrate the difference on photos using a lens with or without filters (using a 'decent' filter not some thickish bit of glass or cheap plastic one) in any siuation where reflections are not happening. Being right in front of the lens means that the filter itself is way out of focus and any degradation due the refraction through the periphery of the filter is absolutely minimal. I always use a filter purely as protection and often have to remove marks from stuff which would otherwise have ended up on the lens.

Once, I was a firm believer in protecting the front element of my lenses with UV/Haze filters. However, while I was conducting a test between two 35mm high-resolution black & white films (H&W Control VTE film and Kodak High Contrast Copy film), I changed my belief.

During the test, I shot a tripod-mounted camera with the mirror locked up and with a UV/Haze filter. I just happened to take a few test shots without a UV/Haze filter. After I developed the film and enlarged the images, I noticed that even a high-quality UV/Haze filter caused some loss of image quality. Since I needed to capture as much detail as possible in my large prints (16x20 inches and larger), I removed the UV/Haze filters from all my lenses. Since then, I no longer used protective filters on my 35mm lenses, my medium format lenses, or my large format lenses. Since then, the only time I used a UV/Haze filter was when I actually needed the filter to reduce UV light (such as when shooting film at high altitudes or in snow) or when I needed to protect my lens from damage while shooting in a hostile environment (such as when shooting mud wrestling or food fights, or when shooting in storms or in industrial plants, or when shooting dirt bike and horse races).

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[pgk]

Well, I print to near 20" x 30" and don't see any material difference whatsoever. I use to shoot Tech Pan and again never found filters problematic. Modern multi-coated 'protection' filters (clear glass not UV) should have such minimal effect as to be irrelevant for any pictorial purposes. Its a topic which gets aired regularly here and elsewhere and IMO is more of a 'belief' system that factual one. If you show a number of very good images printed very large to a cross section of people, photographers included, and recorded how many thought that a filter had been used my guess is that it would show that statistically there is no way of telling.

Edited September 28, 2021 by pgk

[PCPix]

The protection factor is valid - but not only for drops or violent damage. 

I have no issues with cleaning the front of a dusty lens with a huff of breath and a wipe with my T-shirt with a filter fitted - but would never dream of doing this to the actual front element!

Filter of choice: B+W 007 clear MRC nano coated 

[Photoworks]

Image sunset ,  Summicron-Sl 75 with filter and without..

Fountain image Noctilux 50 0.95 on the left with $200 ND filter.

 

I think you may want to take it off sometime.. to remove internal reflection..

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[hirohhhh]

2 hours ago, Photoworks said:

Image sunset ,  Summicron-Sl 75 with filter and without..

Fountain image Noctilux 50 0.95 on the left with $200 ND filter.

 

I think you may want to take it off sometime.. to remove internal reflection..

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

What $200 ND filter is this?

[Photoworks]

8 hours ago, hirohhhh said:

What $200 ND filter is this?

https://breakthrough.photography/products/x4-neutral-density?variant=32718199761

I suppose if you get a smaller size it is less..

when on the M10-R camera the filter is always on on 50 0.95 and it is very good quality. The is no color shift and still sharp.

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On 9/26/2021 at 4:52 AM, Gobert said:

So do I. Only for my Elmarit 24 I have a Leica filter. This was the only filter which didn’t cause problems with the clip-on hood.

The Heliopan Clear Protection SH-PMC Slim Filter works as well for the Elmarit-M 24mm. I know for sure because I installed one 10 minutes ago.

[BKimelb1]

I have lenses that have had filters on since purchased new in 1971.  They still look brand new under the filters.  My Uncle taught me photography and said the oils in your skin are acid and may etch into the coating on lenses which are just a few molecules thick.  These coatings are not made to withstand repeated cleaning.