Chrome on the nose

[Canyongazer]

Anybody else have concerns about shiny chrome filter threads on some lenses such as those modern Zeiss and Cosina Voigtlanders?
Seems like it is an invitation to flare in certain circumstances.
My rational side tells me lens designers must not be concerned so why should I?
My worrywart side says "oh-oh"
What do you say?
C.

 

[Dogman]

I have Zeiss ZF lenses for Nikon and Voigtlander lenses adapted to my Fujis that have chrome filter rings. I've never noticed any flare. They are reflective when shooting through glass if you're located in the right (wrong) spot in relation to the glass you shoot through. But I do use clear/UV filters on all my lenses and the black mounting rings on the filters might cover the chrome on the lenses.

 

[Canyongazer]

I have wondered about the "with or without filter" effect, Dogman.
Seems many filter manufactures in the past decade or two have abandoned shiny metal rings in favor of matte black ones.

 

[peterm1]

I have not noticed any significant impact on images. I have a few lenses of this type (Zeiss, Voigtlander, early Canon FD "chrome nose") and I sometimes even use vintage silver rimmed UV filter rings (Canon used to have a few such filters in their line up "back in the day".) If one thinks about it, the only circumstances in which one might reasonably expect light to be reflected in any significant way from a chrome element at the front of the lens is if there is a very bright light source (such as the sun) in front of the lens. No such bright light, then no reflections impacting the image. I do not often take such contre jour shots and though it is entirely possible that reflections sometimes do contribute to lens flare when I do make such shots, I am not too concerned as one simply must expect such things. I agree that lens designers seem not to be too concerned (though the silver ring is almost certainly a marketing device not for functionality and it could be argued that such considerations sometimes out weigh mere technical concerns). Having said this, Zeiss is so particular with their lens designs that I am inclined to think that if this were a real and concerning problem they at least would be aware of the issue and would do something about it. Until then, I for one am happy to be guided by the folks at Zeiss.

 

[Abbazz]

Anybody else have concerns about shiny chrome filter threads on some lenses such as those modern Zeiss and Cosina Voigtlanders?
Seems like it is an invitation to flare in certain circumstances.
My rational side tells me lens designers must not be concerned so why should I?
My worrywart side says "oh-oh"
What do you say?
C.

The "chrome nose" has indeed a negative impact on flaring in certain circumstances, when the sun is inside the frame. For example, my Voigtländer Apo Lanthar SLI exhibits very bad flare (a massive loss of contrast) when the sun is coming at a very small angle towards lens axis. This can be remediated by masking the chrome part (I used a screw-in lens shade or an empty filter mount)... or by buying the SLII version, which has no chrome filter ring!

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

The "chrome nose" has indeed a negative impact on flaring in certain circumstances, when the sun is inside the frame. For example, my Voigtländer Apo Lanthar SLI exhibits very bad flare (a massive loss of contrast) when the sun is coming at a very small angle towards lens axis. This can be remediated by masking the chrome part (I used a screw-in lens shade or an empty filter mount)... or by buying the SLII version, which has no chrome filter ring!

Cheers!

Abbazz

How do you know the flare o the SLI is due to
the chrome ring?

 

[gavinlg]

Nah, I don't think it makes a difference.

 

[Abbazz]

How do you know the flare o the SLI is due to
the chrome ring?

Because I have taken the very same picture with and without masking the chrome part with gaffer tape. Only the picture with the bare lens flared badly.

Unfortunately, the Voigtländer dedicated lens shade attaches through an external bayonet located around the chrome part, so it is of no help in this matter. One has to use a third party shade that screws on the threads located inside the chrome part in order to avoid the flare.

I must add that, except for this occasional flare due to the chrome ring (which doesn't happen often at all and is quite easy to avoid with a slight mofdification of the framing), the 90/3.5 Apo Lanthar behaves superbly when shooting against the light.

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[Dogman]

I have noticed both B+W and Tiffen now have filters in their high end range with silver rims. Maybe others.

 

[Rob-F]

Because I have taken the very same picture with and without masking the chrome part with gaffer tape. Only the picture with the bare lens flared badly.

Unfortunately, the Voigtländer dedicated lens shade attaches through an external bayonet located around the chrome part, so it is of no help in this matter. One has to use a third party shade that screws on the threads located inside the chrome part in order to avoid the flare.

I must add that, except for this occasional flare due to the chrome ring (which doesn't happen often at all and is quite easy to avoid with a slight mofdification of the framing), the 90/3.5 Apo Lanthar behaves superbly when shooting against the light.

Cheers!

Abbazz

Looks to me like this answers the question. I am quite suspicious of lenses that have a chrome front end. The flare risk is obvious; and besides, it just looks wrong to me. I don't mind a little brassing from attaching filters and hoods.