tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post4096019581291902166..comments2024-03-27T11:02:08.037-05:00Comments on LEICA Barnack Berek Blog: LEICA LENSES AND FILTERSLEICA Barnack Berek Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09055435560407011075noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-48484651904179023982014-03-06T14:26:15.483-06:002014-03-06T14:26:15.483-06:00I don't think so. All of these filters are ma...I don't think so. All of these filters are made to rather exacting standards. Their manufacture is basically no different from making a high quality lens element.LEICA Barnack Berek Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09055435560407011075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-9089158486144796502014-03-06T14:24:21.514-06:002014-03-06T14:24:21.514-06:00Is there any difference in quality between Leica, ...Is there any difference in quality between Leica, Heliopan or B+W filters? Do you prefer one over the other?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-7869725656532403962014-03-06T14:21:31.477-06:002014-03-06T14:21:31.477-06:00One element of composition is depth of field. In ...One element of composition is depth of field. In some instances reducing depth of field can make for a better photograph by blurring an otherwise distracting background, for instance. With fast lenses, used wide open, we obviously have the possibility to greatly reduce depth of field. If, however, the lighting conditions are such that they do not allow for a fast lens to be used wide open, the control over depth of field is greatly reduced. Using an ND filter might very well cut down on the light intensity to allow the lens to be used at maximum aperture. Variable ND filters are especially helpful in such situations.LEICA Barnack Berek Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09055435560407011075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-12953082623188517042014-03-06T14:17:14.113-06:002014-03-06T14:17:14.113-06:00Can you give me an example where a ND filter would...Can you give me an example where a ND filter would be beneficial? I realize they cut down on light intensity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-64086697535869911592014-03-06T14:14:02.473-06:002014-03-06T14:14:02.473-06:00Good question! I should have mentioned these filt...Good question! I should have mentioned these filters in the above article. Obviously, these are filters which by design have the potential to improve the image. The ability of a polarizer to eliminate or reduce reflections can often render a much better photograph than without its use. I have run into that many times when doing architectural photography. Just as any other filter, these filters will lead to a certain image degradation as well. But it makes a lot more sense to allow that and get a good photograph than no photograph or one of questionable quality by not using such a filter.LEICA Barnack Berek Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09055435560407011075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-11024525676037119472014-03-06T14:08:17.183-06:002014-03-06T14:08:17.183-06:00What about special purpose filters like ND filters...What about special purpose filters like ND filters or polarizing filters, for instance?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-89995641243632173672014-02-18T08:29:33.066-06:002014-02-18T08:29:33.066-06:00Cokin and similar filter systems for the most part...Cokin and similar filter systems for the most part use acrylic as their filter material. It doesn't get much worse. for one thing, these filters are all substantially thicker than most glass filters, which greatly increases the distortion effects mentioned in the article. In addition, all plastics, including acrylis will scatter the light internally because of the huge molecules inherent to these materials. The result is an even greater image deterioration. To me it simply makes no sense at all to shoot Leicas and then have some of the performance potential of these lenses stuck in a cheap piece of plastic.LEICA Barnack Berek Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09055435560407011075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-81784363361640787562014-02-17T16:43:39.153-06:002014-02-17T16:43:39.153-06:00What are your thoughts on filters like Cokin and s...What are your thoughts on filters like Cokin and similar systems?<br /><br />Jack La SeeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-4255849946250988192014-02-17T16:41:33.057-06:002014-02-17T16:41:33.057-06:00By the way, it was a Hoya filter which has an alum...By the way, it was a Hoya filter which has an aluminum mount. Judging what you wrote about aluminum vs. brass mounts, that might very well be the reason why the filter was overly tight in the first place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-8884510574885242502014-02-17T16:39:28.489-06:002014-02-17T16:39:28.489-06:00Thanks for the fast reply. I just tried what you ...Thanks for the fast reply. I just tried what you suggested and, voila, the filter came right off. I will now have to decide if I want to further put filters on my lenses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-51277803863273413882014-02-17T16:34:42.913-06:002014-02-17T16:34:42.913-06:00When a filter is overly tight on a lens trying to ...When a filter is overly tight on a lens trying to remove it by usual means, meaning we put the rim of the filter between thumb and index finger, usually results in the filter being even tighter. Because the filter is too tight to begin with, we have to apply a lot more pressure to prevent the fingers from slipping. This results in the filter mount slightly distorting which tightens it even more. Instead put the flattened palm of your hand against the filter, covering as much of it with your hand as possible. With adequate pressure against the filter, turning the hand usually will unscrew the filter.LEICA Barnack Berek Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09055435560407011075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-37381310741354568662014-02-17T16:26:04.435-06:002014-02-17T16:26:04.435-06:00I have a filter on one of my lenses that I cannot ...I have a filter on one of my lenses that I cannot remove. Short of buying a special tool, do you have any ideas how I might remove itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-45296599420315883832014-02-17T14:16:33.237-06:002014-02-17T14:16:33.237-06:00I am aware of that. However, these result very mu...I am aware of that. However, these result very much depend on how the tests are conducted. I prefer to rely on scientific data rather than hear say. With even some basic understanding of physics it should be obvious that a flat piece of glass (filter) in front of a lens does have some adverse effect. How much depends on the thickness of the filter (the thicker the more pronounced) and how parallel the two surfaces are to each other. I have seen inexpensive filters where some of these adverse effects are visible to the naked eye. In the final analysis it obviously is up to each individual if they want to use filters on their cameras or not. Considering the cost of Leica lenses, I'll be damned if I don't do everything possible to get the most out of them, That includes not using any filters as much as possible.LEICA Barnack Berek Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09055435560407011075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320126156594375642.post-80983801257005786102014-02-17T14:04:49.038-06:002014-02-17T14:04:49.038-06:00I have observed this discussion elsewhere and most...I have observed this discussion elsewhere and most of the time people swear that they cannot see any difference in their results with and without a filter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com