Heliopan Filter performance update.

MP Guy

MP Guy

Just another face in the crowd
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I received my last 3 heliopan filters from Ken today. All the filters were labeled the same (Digitl UV/IR Made in Germany) The box was labled Digital UV-Infrarotsperrfilter

However, My 46mm filters had that greenish/readish reflection on them were as the 49mm did not. I then tested the filters and the 46 rendered black about as black as you could get. The 49mm filter reduced the magenta cast but did not eliminate it like the 46mm filters did,

Something I noticed was in the packaging. The 46mm filters seem to be in a new style packaging while the 49mm filter appear to be in an older style case where the cover slides open instead of flipping open. Even the paper inside the case of the 49mm filter was slightly yellow showing age. None the less, you may want to ask your supplier to check these things before shipping out to you. Most important is to make sure it has that redish / greenish reflection.
 
Jorge Torralba said:
I received my last 3 heliopan filters from Ken today. All the filters were labeled the same (Digitl UV/IR Made in Germany) The box was labled Digital UV-Infrarotsperrfilter

However, My 46mm filters had that greenish/readish reflection on them were as the 49mm did not. I then tested the filters and the 46 rendered black about as black as you could get. The 49mm filter reduced the magenta cast but did not eliminate it like the 46mm filters did,

Something I noticed was in the packaging. The 46mm filters seem to be in a new style packaging while the 49mm filter appear to be in an older style case where the cover slides open instead of flipping open. Even the paper inside the case of the 49mm filter was slightly yellow showing age. None the less, you may want to ask your supplier to check these things before shipping out to you. Most important is to make sure it has that redish / greenish reflection.
Click to expand...

This has been an problem that I have discovered all along. The problem is that there is NO quanentee of what you are getting. I have found that comscientious vendors have very little idea of even what they stock. They are relying on there sales reps to supply them with the proper filters. Well let me tell you, the information on the web is sooo confusing that I doubt that the manufacters even know what they are making. And after you figure out getting the right IR coating, then figuring out how to get an anti-reflective coating rears its ugly head.

Basically, its a mess. Just trial and error and luck

Rex
 
Jorge let me know about the 49mm issue this afternoon, and I just checked the ones that I got from Ken today.

My situation is exactly what Jorge describes. The 39 & 46 sizes work very well. The 49 is not the same filter and only partially helps the magenta.

I am not blaming Ken for the mix-up at all, as the boxes are labeled the same between all the filter sizes. However, the 49 size is an older box design with a different type of coating that is not as effective.

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Now for the new information:

The Heliopan Digitial UV/IR filter and the B+W 486 filters seem to be EXACTLY identical except for the ring mount.

I can see NO difference in how they appear or perform. They are visually identical glass and coating. Taking shots of the GretagMacbeth Color Checker SG and reviewing the performace (under controlled light) with the eye dropper in PS, there is NO difference in color rendering.

Now the unfortunate part. The Heliopan is no better or worse than the B+W 486 filters when it comes to flare with a bright light source. Night shooting that includes a bright street light or car headlight which blows the highlight and is pointed toward your lens WILL flare/ghost image when using the filter (same shot without the filter on my lenses did not flare/ghost image).


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Ray
 
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Sailor Ted said:
Is there a filter that will block IR and not flare during night shots?
Click to expand...

No. All filters that have a flat side facing the camera lens will flare in the same basic way. What is happening is the back side of the filter is acting as a mirror and reflecting back thru the lens reflections off the sensor. Boy that was complicated.

The one thing that helps some is for the filter to have an anti-reflection coating on the back of the filter to make it less mirror like. This does not eliminate the problem as I had once hoped but its better than nothing. Not all filters have this AR coating however. And its difficult to be sure which ones do and which ones don't. Like I said before, the literature is a mess and the people that should know and think they know don't necessarily know.

Oh well

Rex
 
Ted...

Ted...

Hi Ted–

Your private message folder is full. If you could clear it, I have a small note of interest for you.

Tony C.
 
Sailor Ted said:
Rex,
In light of this are you still on the list for an M8?

Ted
Click to expand...

Ted

Of course. The reflective flare issue is not that big a deal when you look at the frequency it actually occurs. In fact it is the only real downside to filters in general (besides the cost) . Filters are a small inconvenience that is worth the trouble to get the great performance of a camera the size of the M8.

Does anyone have a lead on one for me? My dealer seems to be less than forthcoming on getting me one. Guy had one lined up 6 weeks ago but I declined because I wanted to be fair to my dealer. But I'm missing out on all the fun :mad:

Rex
...grrrr
 
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