Hello again fellow street shooters,

Well, I just about cleaned out my credit by purchasing an additional 0.85 body and the Universal Polarizer. Now the only thing that would make my kit complete would be the "necessary filters" for B&W and perhaps colour positive. I think it goes without saying that the No. 25 deep red filter would be indispensible because of its versatility (can be used for dramatic skies or IR). Maybe a neutral density -3 stop for using shallow DOF in bright sunlight as well. My dilemma has to do with $$$$$$.

I know that Heliopan and B+W are reputable companies but their filters cost beaucoups $$$$$$$$. Add the fact that I have to buy an E55, E60, and E39 to fit to my 3 primes (ouch) and you can easily understand the price dilemma! I have read some good things about the Hoya Supermulticoat filters. Presumably these filters would be just as good as the B+W?

Any opinions out there??????

As any Leica USER can attest to I am ROOMF (running out of money fast!)

Thanks,

John.

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), June 15, 2001

Answers

John,

Point #1: The sharpest picture I ever took was through a Hoya Filter.

Point #2: Experience has taught me that #25 red filters are overkill. They give an overfiltered look to the picture. A Wratten #16 (orange)is the strongest I think necessary. For the most part, a #12 gives as strong a cloud separation as I need.

Regards,

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), June 15, 2001.

John,

The Hoya Supermulticoat filters are certainly worthy to be screwed into the front of your Leica lenses. I use B&W, Heliopan and Hoya, and I don't see any diference between them.

I agree with Jack that the orange and yellow filters will be more useful, as the red #25 creates a very dramatic look.

Regards Steve

-- Steve Belden (otterpond@tds.net), June 15, 2001.

Sorry, I meant to say I agree with Bob.

Steve

-- Steve Belden (otterpond@tds.net), June 15, 2001.

Steve:

That's okay, because I agree with Bob too. A 25 is often more than needed, and you can get similar dramatic sky effects if you want them by coupling the 12 or 16 with the polarizer you already have.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), June 17, 2001.