mauney@ncsu.UUCP (Jon Mauney) (08/30/84)
This is a rebuttal to decwrl!(what is hip?)'s comments on filters. First, there is no need to apologize for being a Leica fanatic -- that's a well-respected sub-hobby in photography. One should be aware, though, that not everyone can justify the expense of Leitz products, and that information published by Leitz cannot be expected to apply to popularly-priced Japanese products; the fact that all R-series Leica lenses contain UV absorbing glass does not tell me anything about my Vivitar zoom. The extreme lighting conditions mentioned are also infrequently encountered by the average camera user. Optical degradation from a *good quality* filter will probably be undetectable in most cases. There is no point trying to enumerate the minor hazards that endanger the front element of a lens. I prefer to transfer those hazards to a filter that is easier to clean and easier to replace than the lens is. I look at it as insurance payed with one easy premium. -- _Doctor_ Jon Mauney, mcnc!ncsu!mauney \__Mu__/ North Carolina State University
dmm@browngr.UUCP (David Margolis) (09/01/84)
I use filters as protection on all my lenses. I have used Nikon equipment
for the last 15 years, and have also found a difference between brands of
filters. All filters are not alike, and the camera salesman's arguments that
all you are paying for is the name, since filters are flat and easy to make
is ridiculous. I basically stick with Nikon and Tiffen filters.
You do pay in terms of your image quality for keeping a filter on all
the time, but for the most part it is negligible. When you want absolute
optimum results you can always take the filter off. When those situations
occur depend on your own experience and needs.
The above just applies to my 35mm equipment. The need for protection seems
less of a problem with my 6x7 Pentax and results more critical. I use filters
on my 4x5 equipment only for the specific purposes that they are made.jcp@brl-tgr.ARPA (Joe Pistritto <jcp>) (09/02/84)
I use filters for ALL my lenses, usually good ones, but in a pinch, ANYTHING will do... Since I use my camera for mostly outdoor photography, and for taking on trips with me, the lenses need some sort of protection. A case in point: Last year, while on a trip to India, when I had my camera with me virtually 24hrs/day, I 'lost' my first filter. It was covering my 28 mm. wide angle lens when a passing Jeep sprayed me, and the lense with nice little chunks of marble, (you know, the stuff that looks so pretty on the Taj Mahal?). Well, one piece shattered the filter, but the lens was just fine. Fortunately, I had a spare with me at the time, so I lost ~$16 rather than at least $170, (I don't know what a Cannon 28mm costs these days, but it was expensive when I bought it.) Best reason I can think of to KEEP USING FILTERS! -JCP-