Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/05/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]This really depends on what kind of work you're doing at the time. For me, they are only a means of protecting a valuable piece of equipment. Generally, when I'm shooting casually, and can take the time to use lens caps, I'll go without a UV filter. Last week, I shot a four-day assignment for MSNBC on river rafting in Idaho. Believe me, with all the dust, mud, and water, I used the UV filters. I actually started without them on the first day, and quickly put a few dings in the front elements of a couple of my Canon L lenses. Often, I'd be shooting from a low angle to get a whitewater shot, and have someone walk by and have thier Tevas flip a glop of mud on my lens. If you have a UV filter, you can just dump a little water on it, and wipe it with your tshirt if necesary. If you have no protection, getting that mud off is a tedious hassle. And all the while, shots are being missed. My wife worked press for many years and never believed in using UV filters. Her old FD lenses from that time are completely trashed today. I can't help but believe that a trashed front element does more to adversely affect your pictures than a good B+W UV filter. On something like a wilderness rafting trip, you're jamming your gear in and out of a pelican case, and toting lenses around in daypacks when hiking. There are many, many times when you have simply lost track of a lens cap. Usually, I'd find mine at the end of the day, in the pocket of a pair of pants in the bottom of my dry bag. In a few weeks, however, I'll be doing a nice leisurely tour in Spain. I'll leave the lens caps off for that as I'll have time to be more careful with my equipment. - --Jim Laurel - -----Original Message----- From: Albert Daddario [mailto:adaddario@hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, May 20, 1999 8:28 AM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: [Leica] UV or not UV I've heard that putting a UV filter on a Leica lens is akin to having a Porsche and towing a trailer! I'm new to all this ... should I use one? All suggestions are greatly appreciated! AD _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com