[LRflex] Re: formula for lens cleaning fluid
- From: David Simms <simmszee@xxxxxxxx>
- To: leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:17:23 -0800 (PST)
That's awesome Ted. I'm happy to have been set straight. Damn !!! Think of all
those lines per millimeter I may have failed to pick up...
You're right. If I'm anal enough to want to keep a filter on my lens then I
can, at least, remove it for the 2 or 3 milliseconds it takes to shoot a
picture.
That extra set of reflections could do damage to an image. BTW, I have been
taking pictures and...with filters most of the time.
I'll mend my ways. After all, when you put those images onto a postage stamp
sized chunk of film the process needs every bit of help you can give it,
especially if you want to make an enlargement.
Consider the change made !
dave
________________________________
From: "tedgrant@xxxxxxx" <tedgrant@xxxxxxx>
To: leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sun, January 17, 2010 2:46:51 PM
Subject: [LRflex] Re: formula for lens cleaning fluid
David Simms asked
Subject: [LRflex] Re: formula for lens cleaning fluid
> Thanks for the tip.
> Now, why the reluctance to use filters ? Do you actually they'll reduce
> the performance of your R lenses ?
> I know that filters represent another pair of optical surfaces but, when
> your lenses are big-time expensive, would you not think that the trade off
> is worth protecting that front element from dust, accidental abrasion,
> possible damage from pollutants in the air and so on ? Also, a skylite or
> UV does filter out wavelengths that lie outside the visible range and
> which can alter the response of some films.
> Anyone aware of studies or tests done on the subject ?
OK here it is one more time and if you look in the LUG archives you'll find
I've posted this at least a half dozen time in the past 10 years. :-)
The only time you need a filter on a lens is to enhance the scene!
Protection???/ What do you do walk around banging the front element on
concrete blocks? And as for those sneaky wave length thingies in the sky?
It's who cares, it's more important to protect your eyes. Leica have never
suggested using filters on their incredible glass.
Besides if you have a filter on a lens and drop the lens 15 ft to a marble
floor? Trust me the filter is the first thing to be into a million pieces
followed by whatever is left of the lens. Been there done it 2 days after
taking a brand new lens to Europe on assignment!
"Lens cleaning solution?" Here's what LEICA technicians do all over the
world and in the factory, I've seen them do it in both locations during
assignments and vists to the factory.
Give the front element a good blow with your breath or a hand rubber blower
of some kind. That gets any big stuff off. Then breath hard and hot again,
take a soft cloth. I've used the rear end part of worn out under shorts on
and off over 50 years on a ton of Leica lenses both M and R from 15mm to
800mm. Rub in circles vigorously and maybe another breath or two and bingo a
beautiful Leica front element.
If you've never seen a Leica technician do this you haven't come close to
wetting your pants the first time you see one of them do it! If you are a
newbie to the cleaning they'll make you near have a fit and when they're
done they'll turn right to your face and give you a great big smile knowing
they just made you pee your pants! :-)
>>> Now, why the reluctance to use filters ? Do you actually they'll reduce
>>> the performance of your R lenses ?<<
YES!
>>> I know that filters represent another pair of optical surfaces but, when
>>> your lenses are big-time expensive, would you not think that the trade
>>> off is worth protecting that front element from dust, accidental
>>> abrasion, possible damage from pollutants in the air and so on ?<<<
The filters are a pain in the ass because they create internal reflections
and if not "prime super expensive filters" they will effect the quality of
the recorded image.
DUST?
Unless you happen to be shooting in a sand storm or the desert or a location
where sand dust is heavily in the air you don't need filters. If you get
some dust on the front surface blow it off or just leave it and keep on
shooting.... sometimes if the dust is heavy it actually acts as AN enhancing
effect to your image. Understanding this comes from experience because the
chances are you'll not believe any of this anyway even though it comes from
a professional shooting with Leica's for 60 years! ;-)
The Leica front elements are probably the hardest front glass on any lens in
the world. And unless you go around like a Klutz banging your glass on brick
walls and rocks it's likely you can use the same lens for years every day
and the front element will look just as good at the end of the 50 years as
it did the first day!
DON'T THINK ABOUT ALL THIS STUFF.............. go take pictures! :-)
cheers,
ted
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