Hi Boris -
I did a simple test with Hoya HMC filters vs Pentax SMC - I took them out
into the sun and tried to see how much of a reflection I could bounce off
the filter onto a dark wall. The SMC filter was noticeably better in this
test.
Does it mean anything? I don't know, but I use a filter on my A* 200 macro
to protect the front element, and I figure it's penny wise but pound foolish
to slap an inferior filter on an excellent lens.
In regards to protective filters - I only use them when there are identified
risks that could damage the lens. Like little children and food (it's nice
to be able to just smile at a little tyke who just put his greasy finger on
the _filter_ in front of your camera lens, as opposed to traumatizing him by
snatching the camera away....) For macros in the field I use a protect
filter because it's easy to poke the front element of a lens when you are
poking around in brush etc - and when you have the lens set to close focus,
you don't always see potential hazards in the finder. Bus absent an
identified risk, I don;t use a filter unless I need the filter effect.
It's also important to take into consideration those situations where a UV
filter or Skylight is truly valuable for it's optical effect. I think
there's a tendency to view these filters as merely being protective, but
they will actually improve sharpness, cut haze, and help color saturation
when shooting outdoors, particularly if you are shooting distant subjects,
in bright sun, in situations with high humpty, dust, or smog.
I don't know why, but I've found cleaning multicoated filters (Pentax, Hoya,
and Sigma EX) to be very difficult. Maybe because you can rotate it and
really examine the glass, and any little imperfection is more apparent. I've
found Kodak lens cleaning paper to do the trick - after thoroughly cleaning
with a microfiber cloth, a few wipes with a single sheet of paper does it.
- MCC
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Mark Cassino Photography
Kalamazoo, MI
www.markcassino.com
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Boris Liberman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 9:32 AM
Subject: Questions re Pentax made lens filters
Hi!
For some time I've been using el cheapo (Cokin plastic et al)
protective filters on my lenses. Some time ago I stopped doing so.
Then recently I found that some of my lenses are now dusty inside.
Then on eekBay I found that there are Pentax made lens filters. Some
of them are even SMC.
Are they worth it? How do they compare to other manufacturer's filters?
Finally, but please don't let it be a flame, if not Pentax, what are
the protective filters that match optical quality of lenses such as FA
50/1.7 or M 50/1.4 that I have?
Then of course as usualy I may be nuts again... I mean may be filters
have nothing to do with dust inside lenses...
Thanks.
--
Boris
