Filters on VC 12mm Lens

[JamesRR]

Just picked up the V/C 12mm f5.6 lens. My usual practice with lenses is to put a clear filter on the front, for protection while shooting (I figure its cheaper to replace a filter than deal with a scratched lens).

The 12mm is the widest lens I've owned, and requires a filter adapter - which takes 77mm filters, so it's considerably large to deal with (compared to just having the lens on w/o it).

What are people's opinions of using protection filters like this? Do a lot of you have these on, or just shoot without? I'm contemplating foregoing it, since it will not only make the lens more compact to deal with, but elimiate any flare up issues that may arise. I only plan to use the lens for specific shots, since it's not RF coupled, and its a rather slow lens.


- james

 

[Stephan]

The wider the lens, the bigger the skylight filter, the greater chance there is that that filter will catch stray light and make you loose saturation. So I'd say just use it without 🙂

 

[sfb_dot_com]

I'm contemplating foregoing it, since it will not only make the lens more compact to deal with, but elimiate any flare up issues that may arise. I only plan to use the lens for specific shots, since it's not RF coupled, and its a rather slow lens.

- james

I personally wouldn't either because it detracts from the essential virtues of this lens which is it's lightness and compactness coupled with that incredible field of view. The built-in lens hood gives some protection in any case. However if you are planning on specific shots then I guess you might be tripod mounting anyway in which case encumbrances like 77mm filters would be the least of your worries! I'm a little surprised by your comments about focussing this lens as to all intents and purposes this is unnecessary, and the slowness of it is also not a factor.

Regards

Andy

 

[JamesRR]

However if you are planning on specific shots then I guess you might be tripod mounting anyway in which case encumbrances like 77mm filters would be the least of your worries! I'm a little surprised by your comments about focussing this lens as to all intents and purposes this is unnecessary, and the slowness of it is also not a factor.

Well, I may or may not use a tripod with it - in those instances when I'm just interchanging it with a more standard lens in my bag, having to remove the filter to put the lens back would become a pain (as I carry minimal gear sometimes, in a small bag). You're right, its compactness is one of its greatest feats.

As for the focussing, my comments were a bit stupid. Obviosuly at this focal length, rangefinder coupling is a mute issue. As for is being slow, I'll probably be outdoors most of the time, daytime, where its speed isn't a problem.


james

 

[peter_n]

I have the 15mm and the same issue. All of my other lenses have a filter of some kind and a lenshood permanently on them. I never use a lenshood. I've reluctancly come to the realization that a filter is impractical on the 15 but I've decided to put up with it because I like the FOV so much.

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

I have a 72mm Skylight (Hoya) on my 12VC. I'm more comfortable knowing that I won't scratch this magnificent lens. Wish they made a protector for that optical finder!