B+W multi-coated 010 has great optical properties, but can bind to a lens.
Written: Mar 28 '04 (Updated Jul 11 '08)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Superb color and resolution, sturdy build.
Cons: Expensive, can bind to the lens.
The Bottom Line: Recommended for its outstanding optical properties, but beware of its ability to a bind to lenses.
|
|
|
| jvandegr's Full Review: B + W 52 Multi-coated Uv Haze (2c) 010 |
Features
This German-made filter is designed to block ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Even though the human eye cannot see ultraviolet radiation (light), photographic film was sensitive to UV radiation, and too much could cause color artifacts. Essentially, UV radiation "manifests itself as reduced clarity and haze", as described by Schneider Optics, the manufacturer of B+W filters. What the filter manufacturers won't tell you is that most modern photographic films are not sensitive to UV radiation. Some films still have a slight sensitivity, and in this case a UV filter may be beneficial, but probably only at high elevations. For more information about UV sensitivity, see the discussion in my Nikon L37C review.
Besides protecting the film from damage, I also use this filter to protect the front elements of nearly all of my Nikkor lenses. Many photographers use UV filters for this dual purpose. The danger is that a poor quality UV filter will make all that nice glass in your lenses worth nothing more than the lens in a point-and-shoot camera. As the saying goes, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. For this important reason, I have been very hesitant about shooting with a filter on my lenses.
The multi-coating on the B+W 010 is designed to reduce internal refraction, thereby allowing as much light as possible to reach the lens. In theory, this produces enhanced image quality when compared non-multi-coated filters by reducing artifacts such as "ghosting". It does not necessarily improve sharpness and contrast. Why? Not all multi-coatings are truly multi-coatings - the phrase has been abused somewhat by the industry. Furthermore, not all coatings are created equal; in some cases, a higher quality single coating may reduce reflection more than cheaper mulit-coatings. The difference in image quality between multi-coated filters and non-multi-coated filters is usually significant, as is the price. However, for the few extra dollars (sometimes more than a few), you're usually assured of better image quality, especially with B+W (based on my experience).
Performance
One of the most telling tests of the quality of a UV filter is snow (or similar bright white surfaces). Filters with poor quality glass will render snow as light pink with almost any film. This B+W passed with flying colors after a recent snow storm on the Colorado Front Range. Two slides of the same scene, one with the filter on and one with the filter off, revealed what I had hoped for. Through a 10X loupe on a 5000 degree K light table, it was very difficult to find any color differences between my two test slides. I had to inspect both slides for some time before I could conclude that there were any differences. If I didn't have them labeled, it would be difficult to discern which is which. Both test photos were on the same roll of neutral balance Kodak 100G Ektachrome.
This filter does noticeably reduce haze in my shots, but only at high elevations with cheaper film, and only just slightly. It does not reduce UV radiation as strongly as the B+W 415 (or "strong haze" filter), but for use with most modern films that are not sensitive to UV radiation, this is not an issue. If you're using a wide angle lens, look for the 010 (or 415) in the "slim" or "thin" version. This thinner filter will prevent vignetting that might otherwise occur with thicker filters. Of course, the slim versions tend to be more expensive.
Ghosting has so far been absent from all of my photos with this filter. However, most of my shots have been outdoors in daylight. I hope to try this filter under more varying lighting conditions in the near future and will update my review based on my findings.
Durability has been impressive. None of the three B+W filters that I own have ever been scratched or otherwise marred by routine cleaning, even when the cleaning material wasn't the most ideal. However, this filter has bound to the threads of my Nikkor 24mm AF-D lens. Despite the great care I've taken to keep it clean, and despite the use of filter wrenches, I was unable to free it for a month. Daily efforts using many different techniques finally got it free, but I'm disappointed. I've read a few similar stories online and now I'm skeptical about the build quality of these filters.
Conclusions
Optically, this is an outstanding UV filter that provides great protection with minimal loss of color or resolution. Cheaper filters are available, but you'll likely get what you pay for. For a filter of similar optical quality and even better build quality at a sometimes lower price, consider the Nikon L37C.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.