M9 + WATE : how to protect the lens ?

[proenca]

Hi there,

I'm a new M9 user ( long time M8 / MP though ) and I was eager to try ( heck I collected it yesterday ) my WATE on my M9 and the first I was horrified was with the John Millich filter : worked like a charm with the M8 but on the M9/WATE, since its full frame, it vignetes at least by a 1/3 making a black box around the image.

That said, its pretty much unusable the John Millich filter solution + WATE + M9.

My question then is : how to protect the glass ? Only with that silly Leica solution ?

 

[hiromu]

Do you have the lens hood?

 

[proenca]

I do... doesnt help if something is blowing against the lens though

 

[Olsen]

Why buy such an excellent lens as the WATE and use a filter, just for protection? I use my WATE without a filter even with my M8. All filters destroys the optical performance. For protection, use the lens cap.

 

[jamato8]

Lens cap and careful cleaning. I agree with the above, why put more glass between the image and capture. I understand that you want to protect your lens but I shoot and hope for the best image.

 

[Hacker]

I hope John will use his design skills to creating one purpose built hood for the M9. Otherwise, the default 67mm adapter for the polarizer is the best bet.

 

[Revdockj]

I'm usually phobic about this kind of thing--filters on all my lenses as a means of protection. With the WATE and the M8 it was not only protection but the much needed UV/IR filter situation. But with the M9, I am finally entering the world of unprotected photographing--only the lens shade and cap. Then I realized I have been using extremely expensive binoculars for years without any protection for the obscenely expensive glass, and with a fair amount of precaution on my part, they are as good as new after nearly 30 years of use.

Ken

 

[Bill Blackwell]

If you asked Leica they would tell you don't need a filter for protection. In fact, the coatings Leica uses on their optics is so hard, you could regularly dry wipe the front element with your tee shirt and never see a scratch.

Personally, my paranoia requires that I have UVa filters on all of my lenses. I don't own a WATE, but if I did, I would make an exception and opt out on a filter on a full-frame camera since it excludes the use of a shade.