next1
Established
It must have been after that fish sandwich or after the Raki shot...?
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jplomley
Established
Good luck getting the B+W filters to work on the 55mm threaded Asph lenses (21/24). They occlude the notch that the lens hood slips into. In this instance, only the Leica UVa filter will work. Otherwise, I use MRC 010 on the 28 and 35 Cron Asph.
Bruin
Noktonian
B+W MRC, Heliopan SH-PMC, and Hoya HD are very similar - 8 layer per side multicoatings with a low surface tension, hard top layer. These are the finest filter coatings available today. Hoya SMC has 6 layers per side, HMC has 3.
Filter quality is not rocket science...there's the mount, glass, and coating. All the better filter makers use good optical glass, so it mostly comes down to the mount and coating. I really don't understand why people buy Leica filters. Cameras and lenses I can understand, but not filters.
Filter quality is not rocket science...there's the mount, glass, and coating. All the better filter makers use good optical glass, so it mostly comes down to the mount and coating. I really don't understand why people buy Leica filters. Cameras and lenses I can understand, but not filters.
Jason Sprenger
Well-known
With black and white film, I use B+W contrast filters but otherwise I preferred hoods for lens protection.
However, since obtaining a M8.2, I use B+W UV/IR filters on most of my lenses now.
Interestingly, the lens caps on my ZM 50/2 Planar and ZM 35/2 Biogon seem to stay put better now they attach to a filter instead of the lens.
However, since obtaining a M8.2, I use B+W UV/IR filters on most of my lenses now.
Interestingly, the lens caps on my ZM 50/2 Planar and ZM 35/2 Biogon seem to stay put better now they attach to a filter instead of the lens.
johnastovall
Light Hunter - RIP 2010
All my M lenses have Leica, B+W or Heliopan IR cut filters on all the time so I don't have to worry about it when I switch them between the M8, M7 or M4.
dovevadar
DoveVadar
How did you know!? haha. I was really having fish sandwich and sipping raki by the shore. !!!
hey, I used a 55 on elmarit 24.. it works perfect. nothing was obstructing the hood.
hey, I used a 55 on elmarit 24.. it works perfect. nothing was obstructing the hood.
next1
Established
peter_n
Veteran
I have a B+W MRC UV filter on my 24/2.8 ASPH, and the hood goes on over it OK. A bit tight yes, but it goes on. The filter is the F-Pro, and its diameter is infinitesimally smaller than the front lens diameter, so that the hood fits into the notch on the lens nicely. The B+W product nr. is 66070216.
Wiyum
Established
I use hoods instead of UV filters for protection and I've certainly noticed the difference in my pictures.
Meanwhile, in instances where I need filters I tend to use Hoyas instead of B+W (which I'd likely prefer) because for many exotic filters B+W doesn't offer them coated at all. I find this insane, because the filters we're talking about are those that normal consumers won't frequently reach for, and those that pros would pay more for to ensure they are coated.
Meanwhile, in instances where I need filters I tend to use Hoyas instead of B+W (which I'd likely prefer) because for many exotic filters B+W doesn't offer them coated at all. I find this insane, because the filters we're talking about are those that normal consumers won't frequently reach for, and those that pros would pay more for to ensure they are coated.
dovevadar
DoveVadar
hmm.. thats a good point.. I notice the exotic filters arent coated too. but you mentioned "difference" in your pictures.. what kind of difference? It will be interesting to know.. contrast or more flare?
Hmm.. seems like B+W is the prefered filter yet Leica's are still so expensive. I have heard of people claiming that the Leica modern filters are superb optically, much better than B+W.. i wonder how true....
sahe69
Well-known
Could you elaborate on this?
sahe69
Well-known
peter_n
Veteran
AFAIK the Leica filters are single-coated from B+W (i.e. Schott glass). You have to pay extra if it says L E I C A on the filter ring.
ampguy
Veteran
Any filter can be bad if shooting towards the sun or certain types of backlight. Check my latest blog photo for an example with the 15/4.5 on M8 - couldn't have been taken and looked this way with a filter, IME.
thomasw_
Well-known
This is my understanding, too.
I use B+W UV filters on every lens. Excellent product. Sometimes I use a red, green, yellow or orange filter if the mood warrants.
ferider
Veteran
Newer Leica filters (UV/IR) are made by Hoya.
Note that MRC Hoya filters are very good. I prefer B+W though since I find them easier to clean.
Roland.
Note that MRC Hoya filters are very good. I prefer B+W though since I find them easier to clean.
Roland.
Brad Maestas
Established
I voted 'commando' because lately I have been going sans-UV's even though I own both B+W and Leica filters. In the past, with my D/SLR's, I'd often find myself in dusty or otherwise compromising situations so I would always have a filter on my lenses. It became habit to buy a filter with a new lens and keep it on forever. Later, I began using them only when they were really needed.
My 35 Cron IV came with a Leica UV filter and when I recently bought my 50 Cron I got a used B+W UV to go with it. Being very small and light, they ride along with me when I bring a bag and are deployed when the time is right. After having been one of the UV stalwarts, I was curious as to how things might change omitting the two additional transmission surfaces. The Leica filter is definitely machined out of aluminum and compared to the brass B+W, it feels light and flimsy.
There is something to be said about them protecting the coatings over the long-term, especially from overly-aggressive cleaning. Usually a lens will be more valuable if it was (certifiably) protected for its entire life. Of course this can be hard to prove but with some careful examination with a flashlight, one can see if it has ever been touched (or at least if any marks have been left behind). This gave me some peace of mind when I bought my 35 Cron. In the end I guess it just depends on how much of a klutz you are and if you are prone to spilling or otherwise contaminating your lenses. It's a bit of a mash-up really. There will always be the UV advocates, klutzes and collectors alike and likewise, there will always be the no-filter advocates, oftentimes old-skoolers or optics geeks. To each his own!
My 35 Cron IV came with a Leica UV filter and when I recently bought my 50 Cron I got a used B+W UV to go with it. Being very small and light, they ride along with me when I bring a bag and are deployed when the time is right. After having been one of the UV stalwarts, I was curious as to how things might change omitting the two additional transmission surfaces. The Leica filter is definitely machined out of aluminum and compared to the brass B+W, it feels light and flimsy.
There is something to be said about them protecting the coatings over the long-term, especially from overly-aggressive cleaning. Usually a lens will be more valuable if it was (certifiably) protected for its entire life. Of course this can be hard to prove but with some careful examination with a flashlight, one can see if it has ever been touched (or at least if any marks have been left behind). This gave me some peace of mind when I bought my 35 Cron. In the end I guess it just depends on how much of a klutz you are and if you are prone to spilling or otherwise contaminating your lenses. It's a bit of a mash-up really. There will always be the UV advocates, klutzes and collectors alike and likewise, there will always be the no-filter advocates, oftentimes old-skoolers or optics geeks. To each his own!
kywong
Established
We owe it to future generations to protect these gems.
