Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/02/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 02:13 PM 2/10/00 -0500, Austin Franklin wrote: > >For some people, finding out that a filter can cause problems under certain >circumstances, may be new information. I think it is good to bring up >those situations and discuss what they are, and why it happens, not just >tell everyone who uses a filter they are stupid for using one. That's not >really very helpful. > Austin, you are new to this list. Everyone here knows that I use filters A LOT. Nearly every fine art photograph I have was taken through a filter. The majority of my prints are between 30x40 and 48x60 (inches). Everybody here knows that I am talking about screwing a useless filter on your lens and leaving it there always. Everyone here knows that my message is that BEFORE you put a filter on your lens, make sure that it will ENHANCE your photograph in some way. If there is a chance that it will degrade your photograph (photographing into the light, lights at night, high contrast subjects almost anywhere, etc.) don't use a filter. In these situations, a filter can, and many times will, cause flare, ghosting, reflections, etc. And a naked lens will not. This is a very simple minded message. And everyone will, of course, do what they always do anyway. So other than you, I believe nearly everyone on this list has heard my message many times. Ad nauseam I'm sure. But when I read "I use a UV filter. Where did these unwanted reflections come from?" I cannot help but comment. So, for all of you that are new. Use filters. Use the hell out of filters. I do. But knowing what they can and cannot do, "über alles" use a little common sense. And if your photograph is screwed-up because of a filter, don't blame the equipment, blame that person that stares back at you in the mirror. Das ist alles, auf Wiedersehen, Jim