Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/12/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]This issue is a live one over on the Rollei List from time to time. B+W is a Schneider subsidiary, Heliopan is a Zeiss subsidiary. Both make superb filters -- I have drawer after drawer, it seems, of Leica, Zeiss, Rollei, Heliopan, and B+W filters, not to mention H & H gear as well. All have superb glass, but here are the distinctions: Zeiss, Rollei, and older Leitz: uncoated for the most part newer Leitz: possibly made by B+W but I don't know that for a fact. Coated, quality, expensive H & H: quite inexpensive. Quality filters but most are not 'dyed in the mass' or coated. B+W/Heliopan: wonderful filters, the best I've ever used. Expensive, quality gear. The main difference is in the mount, as both use Schott (Zeiss) glass: some folks LOVE B+W's 'loose' mounts, others hate them. Most of my newer filters are Heliopan, but I would use B+W without a qualm. There is also another option: using Kodak Wratten series filters in a Series VI or VII mount. Quality filters but, again, most, if not all, are uncoated. Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!