Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2011/06/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Bill Pearce ofered: Subject: [Leica] Bad times without ilters. > There are times when a filter is easily called for. I once learned this > the hard way. I was working as an assistant to a commercial shooter, and > was sent to take photos of something (I forget what) being welded. I went > with a Hasselblad 500CM , a 40mm and an 80mm lens. I have always adhered > to the advice about if my photos aren't' good enough, so not liking what I > was seeing through the 80, I put on the 40. Wow, what great photos! Also, > wow what great great pieces of slag were now bonded to the front element. > Replacing the front element was more expensive than replacing a > filter.<<<<<<<< Hi Bill, The reverse of that is "USE A LONGER LENS AND REACH IN FROM FARTHER AWAY!" :-) I learned that one while doing a documentary about farmers who still mainly relied on "Horse power" to keep their farms operating. About 7 a.m. one morning we were at the blacksmith shop getting a couple horses re-shoed and some other piece of gear welded when I wanted to be right in there with the flying sparks streaking by when one molten bit landed smack dab in the middle of the lens creating a zit mark! Damn says I, thinking it being the end of the lens. However as long as I worked wide open the zit never showed, period. Stop down a couple and sure enough you could make out some kind of mark. So I just bought a new lens and got on with the project. Sold the spotted lens to a rather unsuspecting chap whom I explained everything about how the lens worked. He wasn't deterred simply because as he said ......... "I never stop down in any event as I'm always looking for the wide open effect." He was happy for a cheap price and I was glad for a few extra dollars for my new lens. After that incident I immediately changed my shooting electric welding to a longer lens and farther back. Actually worked vey well. :-) Also better for one's eyes! cheers, Dr. ted :-) > > Bill Pearce, who now keeps good quality filters available. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Chris Williams > Sent: Monday, June 20, 2011 12:49 AM > To: Leica Users Group > Subject: Re: [Leica] Good Times with Bad Filters. IT'S BETTER WITHA > CLEANING CLOTH! :-) > > Love the Dr. > > > > Chris Williams > www.zoeicaimages.net > www.rebirthworkshops.com > 504-231-6261 > > > > > On Jun 20, 2011, at 12:47 AM, tedgrant at shaw.ca wrote: > >> Lens shades and filters!!!!!!! >> >> I'm probably going to freak out many of you folks after you read this >> from 61 years of professional experience. :-) >> >> 1/ Noctilux f1.0! This lens has never had a filter on it since it was >> purchased! The first Noctilux for sale in Canada somewhere around 1972? >> And used under so many weather, sand, oceans, dust and operating rooms, >> Olympics & you name it places and conditions. It's been used during more >> assignments than any of you can imagine. Not a mark on the glass even >> when using a loupe to look for stuff. :-) >> >> Then about '81-'82 one of the pins holding the lens shade on fell out of >> the lens barrel and it was going to cost a fortune to have a new one >> installed by Leica. So in my great wisdom I threw the lens shade in the >> gear cabinet at that time and it's not had a filter nor lenshood for >> roughly 30 years and guess what? Still no marks under the inspection by >> a Loupe! >> >> And guess what again? Regardless of what may come back in comments I'm >> not changing my use routine no matter what anyone may offer as good >> advice! :-) So save your breathe ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy your >> time taking more productive photographs.Thank you. :-) >> >> As for filters & protection? Truly a bit of a myth if you drop a brand >> new 80-200 f4.0 twenty feet to a marble floor. Trust me the filter never >> helped one iota! :-) The lens & filter of course were completely >> destroyed! OOPS!!!!!! :-( >> >> Oh well such is life on some assignments. That's one of those life >> testing moments in breathing! ;-) OR NOT! :-) >> >> Those who are adamant about using filters for protection generally over >> state their worth simply because... no matter who makes the filter? It >> provides two more surfaces to interfere with the image entering your >> camera. Constantly keeping them clean is just another pain during the >> actions of taking photographs. >> >> I'm a great believer in using Polarizing filters to enhance a scene, but >> other than that it's about the only filter I've used on a regular basis. >> >> Yes many many years ago I had the usual suggested "ONE MUST HAVE!" >> filters for b&W film use, yellow, orange, red, UV various sizes for >> various Leica sized lenses. But as the years went by they became more of >> display articles in the gear cabinet. >> >> Then thrown in my face many times are the.... "Cleaning people >> comments!" My reaction is..."Get over it!" Blow the dust off the lens, >> breath hot and heavy on the glass then use your shirt tail and clean it >> up. Or as I've repeated many times on list over the past years, this >> one! >> >> Those who wear cotton under shorts and you sit on them day after day, >> year after year, washed and worn, again and again, are creating the >> softest lens cleaning cloth imaginable. Hey come on I'm serious! :-) >> >> How? Well your sitting on them until you or your wife tells you.... "You >> need new under shorts!" :-) So you take the old ones and with a pair of >> scissors cut out the largest piece of sit upon material and throw the >> rest away. Don't panic they are well washed before you go through this >> routine, so relax! :-) I can hear some of you cringing as though you >> are about to use a baby's dirty diaper! Get over it! :-) It's nice super >> soft cotton material! No scratching, guaranteed! :-) >> >> Now you put that cloth in a small plastic bag and keep it or them in >> your camera bag and you'll always have clean scratch free lenses!. >> >> I know you'll appreciate these words of wisdom from the old Doc! ;-) >> Your welcome! ;-) Thank you. :-) >> >> cheers, >> Dr. ted :-) >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >