new leica lenses and ir cut filters

[msadat]

i think leica should provide as part of the package, a new ir cut filter with every new lens sold. should'nt they

 

[visiondr]

Seems like a reasonable idea to me.

BTW, I wonder if it is possible to incorporate IR cutoff filtration into the new lenses themselves? I seems one would "simply" have to build in a tiny piece of filter glass near the iris diaphragm. It would be small because, most optical systems seem to "choke down" to their smallest diameter at that point in the optical cell... just musing.

Ron

 

[jlw]

Lots of Leica M lens buyers are still primarily film-camera users, so they wouldn't benefit from an IR-cut filter.

 

[MP Guy]

But if you us a uv filter for protection, the IR filter would simply replace your UV and perform the same task.

 

[EmilGil]

Jorge> Only at double or triple price...

 

[mr roberts]

The only issue that I can see for this front mount IR filter fix is when it comes to the use of another filter for a given shot, i.e. a polarizer, ND etc. and the added reflections that might (or might not) be a problem.

Otherwise I'm in the "UV on the front at all times" camp. I only remove to use another filter. So I'd have no problem in going down the 486 in front path outside of the additional cost.

 

[jaapv]

On another forum I learnt that a polfilter greatly enhances IR contamination. So you have to stack...

 

[mr roberts]

That will raise some vignetting questions all by itself, though the CropFactor might be of some help there. Which one do you think should be in front or will it not have a discernable effect?

 

[Ben Z]

Maybe I'm missing a piece of the puzzle but I don't see it's the same thing. Even those of us who do use UVs recognize that there are certain situations where they frequently cause flare and ghosts, including indoors with bright overhead spot or track lighting. In those situations we remove the UV filter. With the M8, if there's anyone wearing black in the room, taking off the IR/UV would have disastrous results.

I think Leica should offer the M8 with or without a stronger built-in IR filter over the sensor, so everyone can have their $5000 camera the way they feel it ought to be.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

i think leica should provide as part of the package, a new ir cut filter with every new lens sold. should'nt they

And they will; dated Nov. 24, 2006:

http://www.leica-camera.us/news/news/1/3682.html

 

[msadat]

it is going to be for at least the next 3 yrs or so (new camera) and leica would not be able to do so, cost... small R&D....

A IR filter on every new lens sold would make sense if IR is a permanent problem on all digital M bodies hereafter, and it isn't (hopefully).

Technological advancement, or re-optimization, would probably make this problem isolated to the M8 only. With 2 free IR filters, M8 users with many lenses might have to swap filters occasionally between lenses. At the same time, they can always buy more filters for every lens 🙁

 

[Grober]

Leica is on record saying they will "offer" the IR filter with the purchase of subsequent Leica lenses. They didn't say "provide with each lens." (You'll need to also buy the filter.)

-g

 

[Avotius]

I really think leica dropped the ball here, they should recall the camera and redesign it, not make then end user take it in the arse with filters and 6 bit coding, many people I know who use leicas all have more then 3-4 lenses so providing two free filters is almost laughable in my and their opinion. One of my friends was about to drop 40,000 rmb on this camera untill I told him about this filter thing. I was really hoping leica would own up to this problem and set things straight but they didnt so im gona pass on the m8, besides, my 20D isnt getting any worse. Come on zeiss, the balls in your court now.