Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/08/31
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Tina Manley wrote: > I've heard all of the arguments for using filters for protection, but I > still don't buy them. As you say, I take my cameras into very harsh > conditions and I'm not careful with them! I've never scratched a lens > yet. I do use lens hoods and sometimes wrap lenses that aren't being used > in Domke wraps. I just don't understand paying so much for a fast lens > with wonderful glass and then putting a filter in front of it. Kind of > like taking a shower with your raincoat on ;-) > Leica says you don't need filters for protection or UV - that's good enough > for me.<<<<<<<<<<< Hi Tina, I concur completely! This nonsense of a UV filter for protection is an over blown topic. I've only had one lens damaged in all my years shooting and that was only because I was so stupid to work toooooooooooo close to an arc welder! When a spark of molten metal landed in the middle of a 28mm lens and put a zit in the glass! Big deal, as it never showed up in any of the shooting there after. And as far as a filter protecting your lens? Just drop an 80-200 15 feet to a marble floor with a filter on and see how much protection the filter was! At one time I believed this protection thing and like many others bought a UV for my Noctilux just after I purchased it. Then it came to my attention I was experiencing weird reflections in many of the available darkness frames, only to discover it was the damn filter. Took it off and threw it away! Never had a filter on since, let alone a lens shade after the little pins holding the lens shade on came loose and fell out. Nary a scratch and that lens has been to hell and back. As I usually suggest, save your filter money, buy film, take more pictures and become a better photographer! ted Victoria, Canada http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant