Use of Skylight in B&W photography

ChrisP

ChrisP

Grain Lover
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I admit that purists and photojournalists alike would scoff at me as I am a filter user. Put them on all my lenses. But lets not debate that.

B+W skylight filters are cheaper than the uv ones (which I usually use) at B&H when you look at the MRC ones. So I'm wondering does anyone shoot B&W film with a skylight filter on? Do you notice a difference? Does anyone actually put them on for certain situations? Or do they even make a difference compared to UV (filter factor is 1 so you don't even have to compensate for them).

Thanks in advance,
Chris
 
I've used the skylight, as well as some of the color correction filters when shooting B&W, and there was no noticeable difference with or w/o the filters. They were used mainly for lens protection when I used them, but I finally decided that an extra piece of glass and that air space was giving me occasional flare, so I quit using them.

A hood is all I normally use now, or a hood and a yellow filter on uncoated lenses.
 
The skylight filter is not deep enough to have any noticeable effect with B/W film. It should still cut out UV though.

If you want to see real changes in black and white try a K2 or wratten G type filter. A lot of people just leave K2 filters on if they shoot black and white, much like people leave UV filters on.
 
ChrisP said:
I admit that purists and photojournalists alike would scoff at me as I am a filter user. Put them on all my lenses. But lets not debate that.

Thanks in advance,
Chris
Click to expand...

I don't know where you get that Photojournalist would scoff at filters? The first thing my PJ teacher told us to do was to protect our lenses. Filters have saved my expensive L lenses many a time in the thick of it. UV/Skylight filters don't effect your image. I've never noticed any color issues and neither have any of my Teachers, Editors, or Clients.

There on all of my M lenses when the UV/IR filter is not on. Nowadays everything ends up on the computer anyways, and can be fixed with photoshop.

Don't sweat the small stuff.
 
I was always under the impression a skylight filter is slightly pink and to be used for colour photography. Thus I only have ever bought UV's for my lenses. But I'm willing to stand corrected on this. Urban myth or not??
 
I'm getting silver-haired, and I'm a PJ, and I do use clear filters to protect the front elements, and I've saved massive reapir bills over the years by using them. And I like B&W filters, I have yellow, orange and reds for most of my lenses. Good to have a choice when shooting, and it does make a noticable difference in the work. Sure I could tweak it in photoshop, but using filters is more interesting to me.
 
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