Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/05/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Don, Water can destroy the coating on a lens if the lens is subjected to it for an extended period of time. Salt water will accelerate this, but only if left on the lens or over a period of time. If you were at the ocean and the lens were sprayed each day, I would say that in a few months you would see the coating start to change/dissolve. But if you clean the lens each day, preferably with an alcohol-type cleaner (Many lens manufacturers use an alcohol based cleaner for the lens elements.) the alcohol provides the added benefit of absorbing moisture as well. Hence, the possibility of coating damage is reduced. OTOH, if you were doing beach photography daily, IMO a UV or warming filter would provide a barrier to the salt water and also the sand. I am sure others may tell you otherwise, but why take the chance? A filter is cheap protection, and unless you blow up you prints to ungodly proportions you will not be able to see any difference. Those who may refuse to use filters in certain situations, such as daily beach photgraphy, are either well-off financially or so careful in taking care of their gear they miss the many photographic opportunities. The reason I say this is pre-occupation with equipment care, or anything else for that matter, will lessen your attention to the reason you are really there, photography! Peter K - -----Original Message----- From: DonjR43198@aol.com [mailto:DonjR43198@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, May 20, 1999 7:59 PM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] UV or not UV Years ago, I was told by someone at Leica that salt water may attack the lens coating and it was a good idea to install the UV filter if there might be a chance of salt water drops or spray finding its way to the lens.