What filters to use?

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So, I got the M6TTL, the new 35/2 asph is arriving tomorrow but now I need some filter/s. My main reason would be to protect the multi-coated lens glass, so I was thinking of a clear UV filter from B+W. Any suggestions? Leica original filters vs. others?

I plan to do a lot of black&white photography, mainly people and places, any other types of filter that someone would recommend (and pls go easy, I don't plan to add a complete library of Leica asseccoires, but rather to start small)

-- Patrick (svenburg@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002

Answers

Patrick:

A multicoated B+W or Hoya Super Multi Coated UV or haze filter would be good to protect the lens and kill a bit of UV haze.

A medium yellow filter for a bit of contrast in the sky would be great as well. This will also help tone down the bald white sky you get on a dull overcast day with the sky in the frame.

I have a Hoya device they call a "lens protector" very clever- just a sheet of clear, coated optical glass- works well: avail in 46mm.

A yellow-green filter is great for correctly rendereing skin tones under incandescant light. The first two should be avail new for less than 100 bucks and used abut 1/3 of that.

Visit www.tiffin.com and see what filters are all about. They make excellent ones as well, but some Leicasnobs may make rude comments about me and you on this forum if that name is mentioned. Leica do not make their own filters, but have them made by B&W and others- maybe even Hoya.

(BTW Hoya make just about all the masks for photolithography used in making of integrated circuits and microprocessors- a VERY exacting process. There is NOTHING about glass and lens manufcture that Leica knows that Hoya doesn't, and probably Hoya knows a lot more.)

HAve fun

-- RICHARD ILOMAKI (richardjx@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.


Most people here, myself included, will probably tell you this: (a) you don't need to use any filters on your Leica lenses to protect them (optically or mechanically. (b) Even if you have filters, just to do this, you'll probably end up taking them off (and keeping them off) later. (c) Yes, of course for b/w there are especially reds and yellows etc. Others will tell you all about their favorite brands. But check all categories' postings here on the forum first.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), February 27, 2002.

I agree w/ Michael. I used filters for years until dropping them some time ago. They cause flare etc., & unless you are shooting B&W & want to darken skies or change vegetative responses (light leaves into dark leaves), they only degrade your images. Your hood should protect the lens itself. Reread the numerous posts about this!

-- Patrick (pg@patrickgarner.com), February 27, 2002.

I have the same camera/lens combination. (I don't think much of the flimsy plastic hood cap-that-falls-off.) I bought the following filters: B+W 39mm UV Haze 010 (MRC) Multi-Resistant Coating (US$36.50) B+W 39mm Medium Yellow 022 (MRC) Multi-Resistant Coating (US$36.30)

I bought them from B&H (New York)

Make sure you get the ones that have the Multi-Resistant Coating.

I understand Leica filters don't have the coating, and are more expensive.

Happy shooting,

-- VSingh (VSingh493@aol.com), February 27, 2002.


I am also a recent convert to the "no filter" philosophy, after years of religeously buying a new UV filter for each new lens. My glass is now 'naked' - I always leave my hoods permenantly attached anyway, these protect the glass and the body of the lens. For pictorial reasons, as above a medium yellow is all you should really need to help darken the sky (as long as there's some blue in it!).

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 27, 2002.


While I understand the theory behind an extra element (i.e. filter) causing flare problems I have never experienced this to my knowledge. I shudder to think of taking a lens out into the elements without some kind of protective skylight or UV filter on the front. Yes, lens hoods do protect the lens somewhat, but it is much easier to clean a filter on the go and trade them in every six months to a year than to replace a damaged lens. I prefer the multi-coated B+W myself. I think a lens hood and a card or other object will help keep flare down.

-- Dayton P. Strickland (daytonst@bellsouth.net), February 27, 2002.

i agree w/ Dayton.

-- ken kwok (kk353@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002.

Er, Patrick:

Let's be economically correct: buy Hoya HMC

Let'be purist: buy B+W

Honnest, the last R lens I bought is a 90mm/F2 and I put on a POSSO UV filter to protect from scratches.

But my 50mm/1.4 bought a few years ago has a B+W.

So?

I's a matter of taste. For every day photo, you will not see the difference. To tell you the truth, if a good filter comes around on second hand, I'll probably upgrade.

I'm just a Leica Brat. Who asks? X.

-- Xavier d'Alfort (hot_billexf@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.


Take 'em off, take 'em all off. The only real pro I knew who used filters did so because he kept his equipment in a beautiful state of filth (and he shot med format). He always said that the dirt never bothered him. So if you look after your stuff, I agree that a good hood should always be on your lens.(eliminates "stray" light too)... ;0) Use your filters to enhance your image, not protect your lens. On B/W I always liked a light-med orange for skin. My favirute brand (and type) would be Hoya Super HMC - (81A) A good multi-coated filter will not degrade your image/neg

-cheers A

-- Brooke Anderson (dbanders@videotron.ca), February 27, 2002.


i bought two b+w uv filters when i bought my 35 lux and 50 lux. never used them yet. the lenses are already pretty long without them.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), February 28, 2002.


> Let's be economically correct: buy Hoya HMC > Let'be purist: buy B+W > -- Xavier

I don't understand the logic. I'm new to the Leica thingo, but I've read that B+W filters are made with "Schott" glass, which remains perfectly flat because it is resting in a brass holder with some wiggle room.

Other filters are compressed into their holders, with no wiggle room, so there could potentially be some distortion, probably not detectable by the human eye, but abhorred by purists.

The question is that if one is prepared to spend up to US$2,500 for a lens, why save $20 to $30 on a filter, since the filter is a critical element between the subject and the negative.

People spend tons of money on brass plates, black paint, ball heads, and so on, but the item in front of the lens is one thing that should not be economized. Of course, I'm talking about people like me, who cannot afford to buy a 35mm f2 lens every year.

-- Vikram (VSingh493@aol.com), February 28, 2002.


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