Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/09/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> > I have pictures taken side by side with an M, no filter, > > and a Nikon, with filter. The Nikon photos show ghost > > images of the light sources. > > What about pictures taken side-by-side with the same M, with and > without a filter? Sounds like a good test. Do several dozen different variations on the scene: high contrast situations, specular reflections or not, low contrast, etc. My own testing in this area convinces me that there are many situations where even a super high quality filter costs me something in terms of flare/loss of contrast/loss of resolution. It convinced me that I should always use a lens hood and not always use a filter, particularly if the photographs I was trying to obtain were in high contrast lighting or lighting which included a lot of specular reflection or backlight. Of course, B&W control filters (yellow, green, orange, red, blue) are sometimes necessary evils for me to get the tonal scale I want, and color control filters (skylight, warming, cooling) are similarly essential at times. I try to minimize the need for filters and use them when appropriate. Only testing and experience will let you understand when the tradeoffs will be significant to you. Godfrey