Filters: UVa vs UVa/IR

La Vida Leica!
https://lavidaleica.com/forum/

Filters: UVa vs UVa/IR
https://lavidaleica.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=390
Page 1 of 1

Author:  JazzDoc [ Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Filters: UVa vs UVa/IR

I'd appreciate your weighing in on this question, people:

For my Leica lenses (all four of which are 6-bit coded) should I be after a UVa or UVa/IR filter, mostly for "protective" purposes? Beyond protective, are there optical advantages to the latter? (The camera's an M9.)

Also, does it make a big difference if it's made by Leica? :{M

Thanks in advance for your input.

Author:  Double Negative [ Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Filters: UVa vs UVa/IR

For the M9, you don't need a UV/IR filter; just a plain UV. I'd suggest B+W, Heliopan or the top-end Hoya brands. Remember - cheap filters are no bargain. I wouldn't get the Leica filters though as you're just paying a premium for the name and the B+W/Heliopan are better quality.

Author:  JazzDoc [ Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Filters: UVa vs UVa/IR

Double Negative wrote:
For the M9, you don't need a UV/IR filter; just a plain UV. I'd suggest B+W, Heliopan or the top-end Hoya brands. Remember - cheap filters are no bargain. I wouldn't get the Leica filters though as you're just paying a premium for the name and the B+W/Heliopan are better quality.


Thanks, Double Negative. Appreciate the advice. :D

Author:  andrew [ Thu Mar 29, 2012 1:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Filters: UVa vs UVa/IR

JazzDoc wrote:
I'd appreciate your weighing in on this question, people:

For my Leica lenses (all four of which are 6-bit coded) should I be after a UVa or UVa/IR filter, mostly for "protective" purposes? Beyond protective, are there optical advantages to the latter? (The camera's an M9.)

Also, does it make a big difference if it's made by Leica? :{M

Thanks in advance for your input.


There is a difference actually between brands but it is not something you should worry about too much if you are using the M9. The M9 has a really good IR Cut filter already and does not require further use of an IR Cut filter. What IR Cut does is cut out unwanted IR wavelength and only leaving visible light. However, different branded IR Cut filters cut out different wavelengths of light. Some that does well on the M8 and does not affect the M9 will cause colors to look weird (greenish tint) if used on film cameras. UV filters are good for film and not that necessary for digital sensors either! Might as well get a protector only for the digital sensors! I know Kenko/Hoya provide protector only solutions but I am not sure if they have sizes such as E60 or 60e etc.

Author:  andrew [ Thu Mar 29, 2012 1:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Filters: UVa vs UVa/IR

Double Negative wrote:
For the M9, you don't need a UV/IR filter; just a plain UV. I'd suggest B+W, Heliopan or the top-end Hoya brands. Remember - cheap filters are no bargain. I wouldn't get the Leica filters though as you're just paying a premium for the name and the B+W/Heliopan are better quality.


Totally agree with Double Negative with the cheap filters but not the part on the premium for the name. Better grade glass comes at a cost. Better quality filters come at a cost too! Some average but not cheap filters (will not mention brand) comes with a good coating but once you start to clean it when you have water droplets on it you kind of remove an invisible protective coating. The filter goes from rough to smooth after cleaning it. I am not sure what it is but it can't be good! The better quality filters come with better coating and the coating lasts much longer and are resistant to cleaning damage. However, with the higher end ones you need to be careful if the filter is genuine or not. There are many fakes circulating on the internet and you should get it from a reputable dealer even if it will cost you more. Costing more is less of a rip off than buying a fake.

Author:  JazzDoc [ Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Filters: UVa vs UVa/IR

Thank you very much, Andrew - I appreciate your input.

Author:  Double Negative [ Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Filters: UVa vs UVa/IR

I just meant "premium" as far as the Leica filters go. Though no one knows for sure, there have been several suppliers for Leica - at least for the UV/IR filters.

Heliopan and B+W are definitely another matter. The glass is Schott, the frames are brass, the coatings (SH-PMC or MRC, respectively) are quite impressive. Definitely cost more but are worth it, IMO.

Hoya's higher-end stuff is also quite good. Just stay away from the lower-end.

Author:  JazzDoc [ Sat Mar 31, 2012 9:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Filters: UVa vs UVa/IR

Thanks, Double Negative.

Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]