what filter to protect lenses now that IR filters not needed

[fishblimp]

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Hi.

 

I have ordered my M9, but will be selling my 8.2 and wondered if I should get rid of my IR filters as well (as part of the package I'll be selling). I'm just triple checking here, but my understanding is that I will absolutely not need the IR filters when using an M9 correct?

 

 

thanks

 

p.s. what type of filter should I use in place of the IR filters to protect the lenses? a UV filter?

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[mat_mcdermott]

You will not need the IR filters. If you're worried about protecting the front element of the lens a UV filter will work just fine.

[Arif]

Any filter (due to the planar surface) will cause internal reflections in certain situations so they are not always desirable. I would watch the filter/no-filter debate a little longer and then decide (sensor is different from M8 so need a little time to find out any issues). The filter I keep handy is a ND filter for occasional use.

 

Arif

[Chroma project]

hey, no filter in use. Just the lens hood .

[Marty]

If you are looking for lens protection why not keep the filters for those occasions? Personally I find the lack of filters refreshing - finally the lenses look like they are supposed to!

[jplomley]

I use B+W 010 MRC filters when shooting with my M7. I will do the same for the M9.

[sean_reid]

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If you are going to use filters anyway you might consider using the IR-cut filters on your long lenses so long as cyan drift is not a problem. That way you'll filter the rest of the IR.

 

The problem with using the IR-cut filters on the M9 with normal and wider lenses is, obviously, the cyan drift. My hunch, based on some early testing, is that 75 mm and longer lenses can use the filters without cyan drift. I'll know more as I test more.

 

I'm not planning on using any kind of filters with the M9 unless I do a shoot for a client where the color has to be 100% dead on under tungsten.

 

Cheers,

[wilfredo]

After decades of a love affair with photography, I've never had filter issues. I would go with a UV just to protect the lens. Leica glass is very durable, you can clean it with your shirt sleeve, but you never know what may land on your glass. That's my 2 cents to this discussion.

[danyves]

UV filters to protect lenses glass.

[sm23221]

I don't plan on using any filters. I haven't ruined any lenses in 30 years. Why degrade the quality of your image?

[Ecar]

hey, no filter in use. Just the lens hood .

 

+1. Hoods should be more than enough in most circumstances.

[noah_addis]

I've always used B+W brand MRC (multicoated) UV filters on all of my lenses, Leica and others.

 

I've never had problems with reflections (except occasionally with the Leica UVIR filters). And it's cheap insurance to protect your expensive lenses.

[mat_mcdermott]

I used to go without UV filters, agreeing that the lens hood is generally fine. But the reason I appreciate them now is that if I'm in some dirty or misty situation -- anytime the lens gets dirty frequently and I've got to clean it multiple times in an hour -- I don't worry about just using my shirt or sleeve to clean the filter. Whereas I wouldn't do that with the bare lens element. Accidentally scratching a UV filter is one thing, a $2000+ lens is another indeed.

[sean_reid]

I used to go without UV filters, agreeing that the lens hood is generally fine. But the reason I appreciate them now is that if I'm in some dirty or misty situation -- anytime the lens gets dirty frequently and I've got to clean it multiple times in an hour -- I don't worry about just using my shirt or sleeve to clean the filter. Whereas I wouldn't do that with the bare lens element. Accidentally scratching a UV filter is one thing, a $2000+ lens is another indeed.

 

Yes, I use them on the beach for just that reason.

[peter_n]

I've always used B+W brand MRC (multicoated) UV filters on all of my lenses, Leica and others.

 

I've never had problems with reflections (except occasionally with the Leica UVIR filters). And it's cheap insurance to protect your expensive lenses.

+1. I've never had reflections either. Also I use hoods on all my lenses (have replaced many of the impractically large Leica hoods with small 3rd party ones) so I never use lens caps & lenses are always absolutely ready in the bag.

[adan]

As one of my grad school professors (and a working pro) said. "When we're shooting for newspapers, we use filters. When we shoot for the National Geographic, the filters come off."

 

Me, I am glad to be free of filters of any kind. I will probably have a few plain UV filters around for the messy situations (remember my experience with a white-washed M8). I use lens caps when the lenses are in the bag and pop them in my pocket when the lenses come out.

[jaay]

Has anyone tried the new B+W 007 protective filters? They aren't even UV and are a slimmer fit than their regular UV filters.