Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/08/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Sonny I use micro fiber diapers from the Wal-Mart auto section. They are the same but considerably cheaper than the ones used to wrap baby's bottoms. I'd hazard a guess if one's equipment is used constantly and didn't have the benefit of a filter the threads on the lens would be too bent up to mount one. I've had many cranky filters over the years but never damaged a lens trying to remove them. Those darn rubber strap things Sears sells are great for that. Once had a Nikkor 105 with a fair-sized chip on rear element.. Never an indication of image degradation. At the same time I had a 50 1.4 Nikkor with a hairline scratch on the font element. Could hardly see it but it would play havoc with sharpness at certain focus distances. Certainly the Leica tech was correct about the coatings being better than they had been. Nonetheless , they are technicians, not shooters. Case in point is Mr. Puts. He is a wealth of information and has forgotten more about the technical aspects of photography than I've ever known. Still, looking at his images makes me wonder if he shouldn't spend more time shooting and less at the drawing board. What he does to those lovely young ladies he uses as examples is inexcusable. Believe me, I don't used filters to "baby" my gear. I'd never put a yellow filter on to "darken" the sky or use any of those silly effects. (It can all be had with Photoshop and channel mixer) Maybe it's just a throwback to my start in the "old days" but can't help it. When I see smudges on a front element I cringe. The only thing that is good for would be to soften your subjects up a bit. One other thing, if one finds himself (or herself, Tina) in the right kind of light your 50mm Takumar and 50mm Summi would be indistinguishable. :-D Walt SonC@aol.com wrote: > > >In a message dated 8/15/2006 9:15:34 P.M. Central Daylight Time, >walt@waltjohnson.com writes: > >Was slightly >kidding about spitting on filters but would do that a dozen times rather >than wipe the front of a Noctilux with anything, >------- > > > >I do not use filters. I do not use front caps. I use back caps on my M >lenses, also my Pentax lenses. > >I use micro-fiber cloths to clean the glass surfaces including my >Noctilux. > Blow the dust off, haze the lens with breath and wipe gently. I have >several microfiber cloths , and keep them clean. > >I stopped using filters the day I was touring the Leica factory, and the >fellow guiding us noticed I had a UV filter on the 28mm Elmarit. (Chris, >that >is the one you own now.) > >Anyhow, he took my camera, and rubbed a pencil eraser over the surface of >the front element. He said, "See, there is no damage. You are losing >quality >by using filters. The coatings of modern Leica lenses are strong." > >I damaged one lens in a manner that a glass filter might have protected it >since I started shooting in 1960. I dropped an object accidentally into my > >90mm tele-elmarit, and put a chink in the lens. It does not show up in >photos. > I now keep lenses in pouches in my camera bag. > >On the other hand, I've had filters seize three times, and damaged >lenses >trying to get them off. (not Leica) > > >Regards, >Sonny >http://www.sonc.com >Natchitoches, Louisiana >Oldest continuous settlement in La Louisiane >?galit?, libert?, crawfish > >_______________________________________________ >Leica Users Group. >See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > >