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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Filters for the Zeiss 85T FL (1 Viewer)

Jessops used to sell their own make for a lot less - might be worth trying first if you use the scope for photography.
 
Steve

If you put any UV/Haze Filter on the front of the 85TL, does it still allow you to put on the Zeiss lens cap?
Do you think adding a filter is a good (or necessary) protective measure?

Kenko 86mm filters are advertised on E-Bay for £30.00, while Hoya online (http://www.hoya-online.co.uk/lst122.htm) have them for around £53.00.

Cheers

Stuart R
 
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I haven't used a filter yet although I keep meaning to - the cost of a new front element wouldn't be worth thinking about, I bet! I'm sure the lens cap will still fit - not that it's an easy fit at the best of times, don't you find? I wish Zeiss had made it a touch deeper.

Drop an email to Zeiss and ask their recommendations - they are a very helpful crowd indeed.
 
Just ordered the 86mm 1B skylight filter from B&H

I just ordered the 86mm 1B skylight filter from B&H photo and I`ll give you my oppinion on it once I check it out. It`s $79. :bounce:
 
robert s said:
I just ordered the 86mm 1B skylight filter from B&H photo and I`ll give you my oppinion on it once I check it out. It`s $79. :bounce:

Many thanks

Look forward to reading your thoughts once you have got the filter in position.

Cheers

Stuart R
 
Stuart -


Do you think adding a filter is a good (or necessary) protective measure?


OH YES ! ! ! !

About 3 months after purchasing my Leica scope (APO 77), I was crossing through a hedge using a style (a narrow wooden step / gate) with my scope slung over my shoulder when I heard a harsh scraping noise - there was a strand of barbed wire within the hedge and it had dragged along the filter attached to my scope leaving a 2 inch scratch on the glass.

Result - bin £50 of filter and saved £1200 of scope.
 
I have just this week purchased an 82mm Hoya Super HMC UV filter (12 layers of coating - top quality) from a US eBay shop for US$55 which included freight costs to Australia. This is roughly £30.
 
Checked out the 86mm 1B skylight filter.

At lower powers it seems okay but it takes the oh wow facter out of the scope at higher mags. There`s a very noticeable degradation in the sharpness at 60 power I would `nt use it for diging but I would use it if I were trudging through brush the cap fits fine with it but It only seems of use as a protecton devise. Well putting a 80 dollar piece of glass in front of a 1400 dollar scope I should have figured that out before hand. Live and learn. B :)
 
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robert s said:
...Well putting a 80 dollar piece of glass in front of a 1400 dollar scope I should have figured that out before hand. Live and learn. B :)
Well - the scope has many elements including fluorite glass as well as a good deal of complex design and engineeering so I'm not quite sure about the argument here.

That said, the scope was not designed to have an extra element, even a planar one, stuck up front. I'd be interested in what Zeiss themselves have to say about the use of a protective filter - I'm sure they will have tested the scope that way.
 
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Heliopan makes the 86 mm UV SH-PMC Filter NR. 2023, a multi-coated UVA/B filter with threads that match the 85 T* FL. The Zeiss lens cap fits this filter.

It's performance can be found at: <www.heliopan.com/helio3.htm>.

B&H Photo is one source; I purchased one from a local retailer for $140. (CAD), distributed in Canada by Amplis.

BTW, Creedmoor sells a nice tripod-ready cover for this scope for $35. (USD), compared to $167. for a Zeiss product from B&H.

Great scope; hope you don't need it serviced out-of-warranty. I waited 5 months for a sunshade to be replaced in Germany (and Zeiss wasn't waiting for parts). If your scope is a little older, be sure to get the estimate for a repair -- you may be surprised to know this will represent a healthy discount on a new scope.

Mike Penfold
 
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