Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/03/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]One of the most refreshing things about this list has been the utter lack of flaming, until I apparantly foolishly asked the question about UV filters. Now, would someone out there have the kindness to tell me whether, in the real world, where images are being blow up to 11x14 on rare occassion, and more normally are in the 5x7 to 8x10 range, whether the image degredation caused by a good quality UV filter outweighs the peace of mind of having full-time protection for a piece of glass in the 800-1500 range? (I can't afford to buy new, like those of you who talk about your $3,000 lenses - and, I can't help but wondering if part of the attraction for the equipment for some of you, as well as the necessity to be so rude about such a simple question, comes from wanting to tell the world that you can afford to pay those prices and then scorn protection) B.D. Well you have not been here long enough to understand that the response to your seemingly simple question was not a flame, but has become one of the "standing jokes" on the LUG. Filters used simply for protection and leica glass do not mix. The company does not recommend the use of filters, and many on the list agree. There are others who use the filter as a lens cap, and remove it to take images, and there are those like me who used to use them, and now only keep them on the lens in the cupboard when not in use. Others are quite right in saying - use them if it makes you feel better, if you never take them off, then you will never be disappointed ;-) As for the expensive glass, the fact that many will openly talk about these lenes is a benefit to us all if not to our bank accounts. If you have "cheaper" lenes, then the risk of leaving the filters off will be less anyway. Don't take offense, perhaps we all need to lurk a bit longer than we expect, I got a bit of a shallacking on joining 2 years ago ;-) its all part of the family Cheers Alastair Firkin, http://users.netconnect.com.au/~firkin/AGFhmpg.html