Improve lens coating through UV filter?

[mcantsin]

I use a number of lenses from TTArtisan and other Chinese brands that are generally of good optical quality, but have problems with flare resistance and low contrast at bright apertures due to weak coatings.

Could these problems be mitigated - or even solved - by simply putting a high quality multi-coated UV filter in front of the lens?

 

[TomV1]

I use a number of lenses from TTArtisan and other Chinese brands that are generally of good optical quality, but have problems with flare resistance and low contrast at bright apertures due to weak coatings.

Could these problems be mitigated - or even solved - by simply putting a high quality multi-coated UV filter in front of the lens?

No. Those are characteristics of the lens. Adding anything external can only degrade performance.

 

[calvin83]

To improve flare resistant and contrast, the most simple way is to use a proper hood.

 

[Winterfrost]

I use a number of lenses from TTArtisan and other Chinese brands that are generally of good optical quality, but have problems with flare resistance and low contrast at bright apertures due to weak coatings.

Could these problems be mitigated - or even solved - by simply putting a high quality multi-coated UV filter in front of the lens?

No. Those are characteristics of the lens. Adding anything external can only degrade performance.

I've had this discussions for >3 decades, the answer is >NO< *if* one does use a high quality filter! All the lenses from the lens hood folks have subtle marks onto the front lens element, my lenses are all mint, like new. It's much cheaper, better to protect the front lens element from dust, pollen, fingerprints, etc.

For all you nay sayer folks, see the various lens rentals geek articles about a HQ filter. I'll never go without one (not always UV, but often clear lens protector, which is perfectly fine) Its okay to have a different opinion, but it's really silly, to say filters are bad into general - yes, if one does junk 2 bucks aliexpress junk - go figure!

 

[TomV1]

I use a number of lenses from TTArtisan and other Chinese brands that are generally of good optical quality, but have problems with flare resistance and low contrast at bright apertures due to weak coatings.

Could these problems be mitigated - or even solved - by simply putting a high quality multi-coated UV filter in front of the lens?

No. Those are characteristics of the lens. Adding anything external can only degrade performance.

I've had this discussions for >3 decades, the answer is >NO< *if* one does use a high quality filter! All the lenses from the lens hood folks have subtle marks onto the front lens element, my lenses are all mint, like new. It's much cheaper, better to protect the front lens element from dust, pollen, fingerprints, etc.

For all you nay sayer folks, see the various lens rentals geek articles about a HQ filter. I'll never go without one (not always UV, but often clear lens protector, which is perfectly fine) Its okay to have a different opinion, but it's really silly, to say filters are bad into general - yes, if one does junk 2 bucks aliexpress junk - go figure!

Placing a high quality multi-coated filter in front of the lens will not mitigate or solve flaring or contrast. If it were that simple then it would be part of the manufacturer's design.

Placing any filter in front of a lens designed without them will impact the optical path. No improvement, only degradation is possible. This is not saying that filters are bad in general, only that they can only degrade performance.

I do not use clear filters on my lenses. No need to. I am careful with them.

 

[Franz Kerschbaum]

If you have a chain with a weak element, does it become stronger if you add one strong element? No, as it is with an optical chain....

 

[Mark B.]

I use a number of lenses from TTArtisan and other Chinese brands that are generally of good optical quality, but have problems with flare resistance and low contrast at bright apertures due to weak coatings.

Could these problems be mitigated - or even solved - by simply putting a high quality multi-coated UV filter in front of the lens?

No. Those are characteristics of the lens. Adding anything external can only degrade performance.

I've had this discussions for >3 decades, the answer is >NO< *if* one does use a high quality filter! All the lenses from the lens hood folks have subtle marks onto the front lens element, my lenses are all mint, like new. It's much cheaper, better to protect the front lens element from dust, pollen, fingerprints, etc.

For all you nay sayer folks, see the various lens rentals geek articles about a HQ filter.

That's only b/c they supply a filter to protect the lenses they rent since people are not as careful with rented gear - be it a lens, car, TV, etc - as they are with something they own.

 

[Winterfrost]

I use a number of lenses from TTArtisan and other Chinese brands that are generally of good optical quality, but have problems with flare resistance and low contrast at bright apertures due to weak coatings.

Could these problems be mitigated - or even solved - by simply putting a high quality multi-coated UV filter in front of the lens?

No. Those are characteristics of the lens. Adding anything external can only degrade performance.

I've had this discussions for >3 decades, the answer is >NO< *if* one does use a high quality filter! All the lenses from the lens hood folks have subtle marks onto the front lens element, my lenses are all mint, like new. It's much cheaper, better to protect the front lens element from dust, pollen, fingerprints, etc.

For all you nay sayer folks, see the various lens rentals geek articles about a HQ filter. I'll never go without one (not always UV, but often clear lens protector, which is perfectly fine) Its okay to have a different opinion, but it's really silly, to say filters are bad into general - yes, if one does junk 2 bucks aliexpress junk - go figure!

Placing a high quality multi-coated filter in front of the lens will not mitigate or solve flaring or contrast. If it were that simple then it would be part of the manufacturer's design.

Placing any filter in front of a lens designed without them will impact the optical path. No improvement, only degradation is possible. This is not saying that filters are bad in general, only that they can only degrade performance.

I do not use clear filters on my lenses. No need to. I am careful with them.

You don't get it - nevermind. That was not my core message anyway, FYI. I don't argue with guys like you, bc you don't understood, way simple like that.

--
"The Best Camera is the One That's with You" ~ Chase Jarvis

 

[scrane]

Interesting question. I imagine the best way to test would be to place a multicoated uv filter on an old uncoated lens.

Also... could a Zeiss T* filter turn another brand lens Zeissy?

 

[Canon_Guy]

I use a number of lenses from TTArtisan and other Chinese brands that are generally of good optical quality, but have problems with flare resistance and low contrast at bright apertures due to weak coatings.

Could these problems be mitigated - or even solved - by simply putting a high quality multi-coated UV filter in front of the lens?

No. Those are characteristics of the lens. Adding anything external can only degrade performance.

I've had this discussions for >3 decades, the answer is >NO< *if* one does use a high quality filter! All the lenses from the lens hood folks have subtle marks onto the front lens element, my lenses are all mint, like new. It's much cheaper, better to protect the front lens element from dust, pollen, fingerprints, etc.

For all you nay sayer folks, see the various lens rentals geek articles about a HQ filter. I'll never go without one (not always UV, but often clear lens protector, which is perfectly fine) Its okay to have a different opinion, but it's really silly, to say filters are bad into general - yes, if one does junk 2 bucks aliexpress junk - go figure!

Placing a high quality multi-coated filter in front of the lens will not mitigate or solve flaring or contrast. If it were that simple then it would be part of the manufacturer's design.

Placing any filter in front of a lens designed without them will impact the optical path. No improvement, only degradation is possible. This is not saying that filters are bad in general, only that they can only degrade performance.

I do not use clear filters on my lenses. No need to. I am careful with them.

You don't get it - nevermind. That was not my core message anyway, FYI. I don't argue with guys like you, bc you don't understood, way simple like that.

Or possibly rather you .

ANY glass element (even with very good coatings) CAN introduce flares under some conditions. That is an undoubtable fact for anyone who is relevant.

Same undoubtable fact is that non existing glass element can not introduce any flares under any conditions.

Logical outcome: clear glass or UV filters can bring flares and reflections which aren't there without the filter.

Lens hood and proper handling are by far the best protection. In hazardous rough environments where proper handling can not assure protection a clear filter has its firm place.

--
"The Best Camera is the One That's with You" ~ Chase Jarvis

 

[anotherMike]

Nope. The flare characteristics of a lens come from many "places" - the optical design, the opto-mechanical design, and yes, the coatings. I use Zeiss T* polarizers a lot, but they don't turn a Sigma into a Zeiss.

 

[Franz Kerschbaum]

... that is no question. The best filter will only add no relevant additional reflctions. Actually from my testing of UV filters the newest B+W coatings are actually better than Zeiss T*!

 

[scrane]

Interesting question. I imagine the best way to test would be to place a multicoated uv filter on an old uncoated lens.

Also... could a Zeiss T* filter turn another brand lens Zeissy?

By Zeissy I mean typical Zeiss/Cosina color and contrast.

 

[Franz Kerschbaum]

not realistically. such a filter should be as neutral as possible (with exception of uv filtration).

 

[scrane]

not realistically. such a filter should be as neutral as possible (with exception of uv filtration).

I'm inclined to believe you. I'm just unsure if Zeiss colors are due to the coatings or the glass.

 

[Franz Kerschbaum]

The MUCH bigger bulk of glass in a lens dominates such effects but if anything the Zeiss filters with their coating are more neutral! see my transmission curves I've taken below...

eg the like has quite some extra filtration in the blue and makes the image warmer whereas b+w and zeiss have much steeper cutoffs to the UV (and red). But they also differ.

Actually, the antireflection effect is best with the b+w. Thats why I exchanged all my filters to B+W.




UV Leica




UV B+W




UV Zeiss