Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/12/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In Leicas own words... "if we had wanted another piece of glass in front our lenses we would have designed it there." "each glass-to-air surface decreases sharpness, decreases contrast (increased flair) and eliminates the multicoating we at Leica have worked so hard to put on the front element of our lenses." "filters should be reserved for special conditions." "our modern lenses have all of the uv inhibitors built-in." etc., etc., etc... Basically I think what Leica is saying is that anything you do in front of your lens will indeed degrade performance. I, for one, did not pay Leica prices for Leica lenses to reduce them to the quality of filter glass without good reason. I do indeed use filters. Polarizers and warming filters. I use Leica polarizers (I'm assuming they practice what they preach), B+W warming filters, and a couple of odd sized B+W polarizers (B+W filters were recommended to me by Mr. Moffat at Leica.) For instance, the ONLY polarizer that will fit the 28mm PC is a B+W 67EW. I also use a Cokin-P and Hi-Tech external holder and use Heliopan and Tiffen glass grads. The bottom line for me is I first evaluate what I want out of the picture (slide for slide shows, 20x24 display print, one-hour photo lab album prints... etc.) and then work accordingly but I never use a filter over the lens unless I've evaluated the situation and have come to the conclusion that it is warranted. You should do what you feel most comfortable with. If you really want another piece of glass in front of your 19mm glass then by all means find a way to do it. I do have numerous colleagues that have a protection filter in front of all of their lenses. That's for them... not for me. I have a 15mm-R lens which has absolutely no way of covering the front element with anything short of a filter made in the shape of half of a bubble. Perhaps the easiest answer is to leave the lens hood on at all times, only removing it when actually shooting. Then immediately replace it.