Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/04/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 06:46 AM 30/04/98 +0200, you wrote: > >3. And the eternal lens question: do you use UV filters to protect the >lens? I have always done it with my SLRs, and certainly the price of >Leica lenses calls for protection. On the other hand, the very reason >for getting into Leica is the quality of the optics, so I am a bit >ambivalent about adding a piece of glass in front. > This topic has been hashed out quite a bit on the LUG. There are two main schools of thought on this one. Leica lenses have UV filtration built-in, so the UV filter is not necessary for actual UV filtration. Its opponents say that using a UV filter creates additional glass surfaces which cause image degradation. Proving this is difficult, but under certain backlighting and sidelighting conditions, it is more likely that some image degradation may occur. Some have even tried to test this hypothesis. Others will argue that they can detect no appreciable difference in image quality with or without a UV filter in most situations, and they have the test results to prove it. So even establishing the effect of image quality with UV filters is not an easy issue to settle. Those endorsing the use of UV filters suggest that lens protection is an important factor, though you will get the argument that only under very adverse conditions, like when photographing near salt water, and in sand and dust storms, does it offer much physical protection. My advice is that you decide whether or not you are going to use UV filters, but don't let anyone on the LUG know! <grin> It will start another UV battle here that is likely to bring out the strong supporters who are either for or against their use. Seriously, if you want the best from the lenses, remove the UV filters. However, if you NEED some lens protection, use them TEMPORARILY under those adverse conditions, but not for general use. That is what I do. That's just my advice to a new LUGer, without wanting to reopen this debate ad nauseam. - -GH