I know this is a boring one and some of you chaps and chapeses don't even use a filter, but which make of filter, would you use. Assuming, if i can afford a Leica lens then I can afford any make.

-- Yogesh Jeram (Yogeshjeram@hotmail.com), April 05, 2002

Answers

B+W and Heliopan both make top-quality filters in the unusual sizes that fit Leicas.

-- Mark Sampson (MSampson45@aol.com), April 05, 2002.

Ditto to Mark's reply.

-- George L. Doolittle (geodoolitt@aol.com), April 05, 2002.

I had an "oops" a few days ago where I dropped a B+W filter about 4 feet on to the cement. To my surprise, there was no damage except a small scratch on the outer ring. Very well made.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), April 05, 2002.

Rodenstock filters are made by Heliopan and for some reason are nearly half the price.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), April 05, 2002.

According to the latest issue of Popular Photography, all the major brands of filter (Hoya, Tiffen, B+W, etc) and Manufacturer brands( Nikon, Canon, etc) are equally good. So if you can find a Hoya filter in a 39 for half or less than a B+W then you should get it.

-- Chad Hahn (thehahns@cornhusker.net), April 05, 2002.

The key is the coating. B+W and Heliopan are excellent but the real winner is the B+W MRC line. The amount of light reflected and consequently lost is minimal with MRC filters.

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), April 05, 2002.

Dr. Knapp is right on; no second opinions needed from this doctor. The B+W is worth the extra money, easily. ---------------------------------------

-- Dayton P. Strickland (daytonst@bellsouth.net), April 05, 2002.

If anyone believes that Pop Photo's opinion means anything, then you might as well buy the Tiffen which is even cheaper than the Hoya.

As someone once said, you don't always get what you pay for but you never get what you don't pay for.

Incidently, if there is any doubt that brass mounted filters are not worth the money, keep an eye on e-bay for lenses ruined because their owners couldn't remove aluminum mounted filters from them.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), April 05, 2002.

I use only B+W MRC filters. I don't believe the Pop Photo reports that all filters are the same!

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), April 05, 2002.

What does the MRC stand for? I've seen and used MC ( Multi Coated) B+Ws on SLR lenses. I'm currently using Heliopans (on the M lenses ) when I do use filters to protect the front element from the elements). They are especially good on the wider Ms because they're thinner and allow the shade to easily slip over them. MRC ???? Is it ..."Multi Reflective Coating?"

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), April 05, 2002.

I think MRC stands for Multi Resistant Coating, as an extra hard type of filter coating.

-- Marco (marco_hidalgo@hotmail.com), April 05, 2002.

Let me get this straight. Are most of you guys saying that a third party filter maker, i.e. Heliopan and M+W is BETTER than Leicas own? Keep in mind that a filter "only" costs about 5% of a leica lens.

-- Yogesh Jeram (Yogeshjeram@hotmail.com), April 08, 2002.