B+W filters: worth paying so much?

[photobum]

If you are ever at Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, just pop your head into the Leica factory and see what they are making there...

They collect used Coke, Sprite, Fanta and F&N glass bottles from Fraser and Neave across the street. Melt and mold them into microscope optics.

 

[microcosm]

They collect used Coke, Sprite, Fanta and F&N glass bottles from Fraser and Neave across the street. Melt and mold them into microscope optics.

No lah, that is for the metal ring that holds that glass... LOL...

 

[chanjyj]

Told ya! I have been using Hoya Super HMC filters for about 10 years now. So far no flaking. Whereas with B+W MC filters, I have no such luck.

If you seriously want to invest in good filters, Leica and Heliopan filters are still the best among all the German brands.

PS: I am not going to start another flame war again. The abovementioned are based on my past and present experience with B+W and Hoya filters.

Try kenko

 

[photobum]

No lah, that is for the metal ring that holds that glass... LOL...

FYI, Leica in Singapore don't manufacture filters and lenses. They make parts for microscopes.

Therefore, I assume that their microscope optics were from made locally.

 

[photobum]

Try kenko

I am currently using two Kenko filters - a 77mm Pro 1 Digital Circular Polarizer and a 67mm Pro 1 Digital Protector. No complains so far.

 

[psychobiologist]

FYI, Leica in Singapore don't manufacture filters and lenses. They make parts for microscopes.

Therefore, I assume that their microscope optics were from made locally.

i used to use a leica microscope, moved on to nikon, and now using a zeiss microscope..

anyone wanna compare contrast and saturation/color? :bsmilie:

 

[contaxable]

...........

 

[microcosm]

FYI, Leica in Singapore don't manufacture filters and lenses. They make parts for microscopes.

Therefore, I assume that their microscope optics were from made locally.

Yes I know. I used to work for Leica.

 

[LittleWolf]

If you are ever at Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, just pop your head into the Leica factory and see what they are making there...

They're not letting me in. So you're saying Leica Singapore is making their own optical glass instead of processing glass purchased from specialist companies?

 

[LittleWolf]

If you are ever at Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, just pop your head into the Leica factory and see what they are making there...

I don't think they'll let me just "pop in my head". So, are you claiming that Leica is making their own glass?

Here's a snippet I found in a Leica forum (http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=009xN8), referring to a book:

Here's what Jonathan Eastland has to say about this:

"In a letter from Leica GmbH to the author, dated 27 April 1993, a company executive stated that neither Leica or Leitz ever smelt its own glass from raw materials for production purposes."

He goes on to explain that Leitz used to operate its own Glass Research Laboratory, but it was not for production purposes. The lab was for exploration of new glass types. Production glass is smelted to Leica's requirements by outside sources.

Reference: Jonathan Eastland, Leica M Compendium. Hove Books, 1994.

So can you confirm that the above statement is wrong?

 

[microcosm]

Leica has a factory in Singapore making elements, but whether is it for their lenses or not, I cannot comment. Leica's business is really big considering what they are doing, so this is something that I cannot answer you... also, that Leica letter was written in 1994.

 

[Vulpix0r]

Leica has a factory in Singapore making elements, but whether is it for their lenses or not, I cannot comment. Leica's business is really big considering what they are doing, so this is something that I cannot answer you... also, that Leica letter was written in 1994.

Haha, very nice and safe answers! Which department were you working for man!:bsmilie:

 

[LittleWolf]

Leica has a factory in Singapore making elements, but whether is it for their lenses or not, I cannot comment. Leica's business is really big considering what they are doing, so this is something that I cannot answer you... also, that Leica letter was written in 1994.

Ahhh... making "elements" is something completely different from making glass. Leitz/Leica may _process_ glass , but do they make the glass or do they buy it elsewhere?

It also appears to be accepted among Leica afficionados that some Leica lenses were actually designed and manufactured by Minolta (who in turn make/made their own glass). (Some of Leica's SLRs are also supposedly based on Minolta designs.) Coming to filters, I doubt a smallish company like Leica could afford to waste resources by making or possibly even processing their own filter glass (beyond maybe coating it and putting it in a mount), considering that this is pretty much a commodity item.

 

[MaZaCA]

tried it once on one of my lens, no turning back ever since, all B+W or nothing.

 

[Spectrum]

But, nowadays I find that all B+W filters are pretty expensive. A 77mm UV (010 MRC) is selling around S$105 - S$115 these days compared to 2 years or so back then at S$85 - S$95 (correct me if I'm wrong).
Now, I'm also thinking twice whether or not to purchase at such price for the same kind of item.:sweat:

 

[Boo...]

ya..yaa..yaa...
Good filter than no more output because all filter up already (just jocking).

No such thing cheap than good...
You pay for their low production yield due to cutting glass and coating.

Go for B+W (expensive but :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: ).
If dissapoint you than sell it to me.

no filter the best

 

[2.8photography]

haha im convinced - again (after i just bought another hoya filter)

i guess its still quite hard spending 2-3x for b+w

 

[antares2063]

Recently changed to B+W for my 2 lenses....never regretted...as the other users all commented...ease of cleaning more than makes up for it

regards,
Junwei

 

[Spectrum]

I have one 77mm 010 UV Haze MRC to sell. What's your best price?

ya..yaa..yaa...
Good filter than no more output because all filter up already (just jocking).

No such thing cheap than good...
You pay for their low production yield due to cutting glass and coating.

Go for B+W (expensive but :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: ).
If dissapoint you than sell it to me.

 

[Spectrum]

A 77mm 010 UV Haze MRC is selling at S$130+ nowadays you know?:bigeyes::sweat: Anywhere to get it lower price then that? Pretty much difficult I think.