Filters- Leica vs B+W or none?!

[dovevadar]

M lenses are some of the best money can buy. Some swear by having an UV filter in front for protection, other diss the idea of having an extra flare element in front of the already very good coating optics.

That said.. Do you use a filter on your expensive M lenses?

If so, what brand and WHY?

Leica UV vs B+W MRC. the battle of the Titans???

 

[kully]

I prefer B+W filters because that's what I've always used. And they seem more beefy in build than the Leica/Hoya filters.

I used to 'go commando' until I got a drop of strong alcohol drink on a lens once and it ate away at the coating.

 

[sahe69]

I'm using UV/Skylight filters only in very dusty conditions like on windy sand beaches etc. I might be using them on mountains as well if shooting colour film, due to the high amount of UV radiation in high altitudes. I prefer also B+W. I've no experience on Leica filters.

 

[dovevadar]

yes.. B+W seems alot easier to clean off any stain. I was shooting with a leica UV filter in Istanbul when I sneezed uncontrollably, a tiny speck of my saliva landed on the filter and no matter how hard I wipe, the stain stays. B+W has a layer of "oil", stains was easy to wipe off. Am very impressed with them.

But Im really curious about the optic quality of Leica vs B+W. Someone care to shed some light?

 

[Mackinaw]

I never use filters.

Jim B.

 

[ruby.monkey]

The only filters I use are coloured ones for use with B&W film.

 

[nksyoon]

Always found B+W easier to clean than Hoya.

 

[Sparrow]

I prefer B+W filters because that's what I've always used. And they seem more beefy in build than the Leica/Hoya filters.

I used to 'go commando' until I got a drop of strong alcohol drink on a lens once and it ate away at the coating.

Waiter!! I’ll have one of whatever it was he had

😀

 

[kully]

Stewart - it did worse things to me head / stomach 🙂

 

[sepiareverb]

Mostly with B&W, then yellows 90% sometimes a green or orange. I never use a UV, but sometimes add an 81A or clear filter to a lens if I'm in the woods or somewhere I want protection. Most of mine are B&W, I have some Hoya Series VII filters for the 35/1.4.

 

[BobPS]

I use B+W MRC UV. Other than B+W (or Leica) I can't find other brand of filter in 39mm size, not here in Jakarta anyway.

Bob

 

[Al Kaplan]

I have a couple of elderly Leica filters but most are Hoya because they were cheap thirty years ago. I don't think that in every day real world conditions it makes much difference.

 

[kshapero]

I am a B&W man unless I am in a fix then it is Quantaray or Sunpak all the way. LOL. Actually living near the ocean in a humid environment, filters have saved my butt a few times.

 

[fixbones]

I have quite a few Hoya filters and recently bought a few B+W filters as well. I have to say that the B+W filters DOES feel much better made and finished as compared to the Hoya filters. Even the thread screws on the lens much smoother.

However, optically, i am not sure if i can tell the difference.

I always use a filter if i can. I feel more at ease using it which means i do not have to be too careful. Thus allowing me to take pictures more freely..... but thats just me =D

 

[giatzakc]

No filters ever... extra flare is the main reason.

 

[peter_n]

B+W MRC UV filters on every lens with no problems. I don't use lens caps so lenses are always ready in the bag to throw onto the camera. Here's a sample:

A tip for some sizes of B+W filter - they make some with aluminum rings for the Asian market. You can buy them on eBay and they have identical glass, just aluminum instead of brass rings. They are much cheaper than the brass filters, but just as good. 🙂

 

[lawrence]

A tip for some sizes of B+W filter - they make some with aluminum rings for the Asian market. You can buy them on eBay and they have identical glass, just aluminum instead of brass rings. They are much cheaper than the brass filters, but just as good. 🙂

I think aluminium thread filters are more likely to bind than brass thread filters. Anyway I don't use filters, except for occasionally an orange filter for b&w.

 

[peter_n]

Binding is reduced when there is like metal to like, so I understand. Internet wisdom is that brass is best in all cases but I have had more than one brass filter bind on an aluminum lens. This is partially because I'm a complete clutz but I don't buy the brass is always best argument any more.

 

[lawrence]

Binding is reduced when there is like metal to like, so I understand. Internet wisdom is that brass is best in all cases but I have had more than one brass filter bind on an aluminum lens. This is partially because I'm a complete clutz but I don't buy the brass is always best argument any more.

Thanks for the 'real world' experience 🙂

 

[historicist]

I used to 'go commando' until I got a drop of strong alcohol drink on a lens once and it ate away at the coating.

What was it? Purely so I know what to test my filters with 😉