P3D Filters Info

[Bob_Maxey@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

>>This begs the question - how good is it optically? Does it murk-up
the sharpness & contrast in the slides? Does it scratch easily?

I never used filters enough to determine the difference in optical quality,
but some serious shooters seem to want to pay the higher prices.


This is a sore spot with me....the idea of filter quality. I get a lot of
people who think I am nuts when I say this, but I think that the claims of
one filter manufacturer's optical quality over another is to be taken with
a grain of salt. For example, I have some old series 5 Ednalite filters
that I have compared to some Tiffen filters and I can see no problems. I
also have some old Wrattin K2 Gelatins that I have used, that were packaged
for the U.S. Army Air Force. I use them when copying, and I see no
difference. I am not completely sure that a 100.00 filter is any better
than a cheaper, equivalent type from another manufacturer. However, if you
are going to test this, make sure the same type of filter is compared to an
equivalent type. I mean solid glass as opposed to gel bound between glass,

I once bought a Polarizer filter to fit my Leica, and it was very costly. I
was a fool to buy it because a good old Tiffen Brand was just as good. I
quit buying Hasselblad filters for this reason - I am not convinced they
are worth it. I have seen off brands made from Schott Glass which is very
good glass and is used by Schneider, for example.

Generally, as long as there are no imperfections in the glass, you should
not see to many differences. All on my small series size filters are
uncoated, decades old and work well for me. I defy anyone to show me
examples of contrary evidence.

As far as polarizers go, there should be no problems in optical quality.
This assumes that there is no damage to the filters. Be careful as some
dealers offer cheap filter material that is not so good. Also be aware that
there are a number of different types of polarizer materials from several
different vendors. You will see polarizers with a blue cast as well as a
brown or even slight greenish cast to them. Sharpness and contrast will
change sometimes because of the fact that you are removing glare and this
helps. I just printed some photographs of foliage and the greens were
terrific because of the removal of the glare that blocks color.

They are susceptible to being scratched, just like any other plastic. The
PVA Layer is more easily scratched in some cheap filters that are not
protected. This is the Polarizer layer.

Cheers,

RM



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