What is a 1A MC filter exactly?

[Captain Kidd]

Hello,

I recently bought a Contax T3 and before throwing out the box discovered a filter lens that attaches to the front. Along it reads 'CONTAX 30,5mm 1A MC JAPAN', if this is a lens protector i'll probably use it but if its a type of filter that affects my pictures I won't, would anyone be able to shed some light on this?

Thanks

 

[InTheMist]

Looks like 1a is a skylight filter and MC means multi-coated.

 

[sevo]

A "Skylight" filter - that is, a UV filter with a very slight extra warming effect. In film days they used to be more popular than UV among holiday photographers, as they improve skin tones in blue sky outdoor situations, but in the digital era the minor differences between UV, 1A and 1B have become irrelevant (the slight hue differences don't make it past the white balancing). MC means multicoated.

Leave it on, by all means.

 

[Captain Kidd]

Thanks and will it change the colour of some images, I was hoping it was just a glass protector.

 

[sevo]

Thanks and will it change the colour of some images

Not to their disadvantage, unless you intend to use it in candle light - it was the mildest of all warming filters, and does not have the yellow stain of many UV filters.

There were barely any clear glass protectors in the pre digital era, as film is UV sensitive and most lenses do not block near UV. The makers had clear glass on list, for technical applications, but only institutional photographers would buy them, and shops generally did not even stock them. Skylight was the default "clear glass" filter for colour, UV for black and white film.

 

[Captain Kidd]

Thanks Sevo, ill take some pictures with and without to see what the difference might be, im glad to hear that the warming affect is very slight, i hope its not too altering. Much appreciated.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The old 1A's became the UV filter and the 1B's were slightly pinkish to counter the blue you get from the clear blue sky, especially in snow scenes.

How they work with modern films and digital is debatable.

Regards, David

 

[Captain Kidd]

Great, thanks for that David, have you any experience with a P-filter? Its seems an eternal debate whether they cause image damage or not. Id like to use one on my film camera but not if alot of ghosting happens or collour changes.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Glad to help but can't tell you anything about the filters as I don't use them but have a box filled with them. I try to get rid of a few when I sell a camera but the box never seems to empty!

In your shoes I'd take about half a dozen pictures, half with a filter and the rest without. Say a portrait, a landscape and anything you like. Then compare, slides would be the acid test but few people seems to take them these days.

Regards, David

PS I lied, I've an UV on the Leica but that's because it came with it and I've never found a box for it; it being a series 55 one.

 

[Captain Kidd]

Thanks David, ill definitely do various tests, with and without and into glaring lights to see possibly ghosting occurences, really appreciate the help.