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B&W Nano coated 46mm clear filters on Zeiss 8x42HT (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Robert Moore
- Start date
Robert Moore
Well-known member
I wanted to get some for my Zeiss SF but unfortunately it does not have filter threads.
NDhunter
Experienced observer
Robert:
Your Zeiss binoculars should not be used with any filter on the objectives. The filter will only hurt the view in a big way. The Lotutec coatings also prevent scratches, so you need to reconsider, filters are only used by astro
viewers looking at the sun.
Jerry
Your Zeiss binoculars should not be used with any filter on the objectives. The filter will only hurt the view in a big way. The Lotutec coatings also prevent scratches, so you need to reconsider, filters are only used by astro
viewers looking at the sun.
Jerry
Alexis Powell
Natural history enthusiast
No, Robert's filters are of very high quality. Optically superb, and they have their own equivalent of LotuTec.
--AP
Good idea for protecting objectives from wind-blown sand, frequently an issue on the estuaries and flats here.
Regards, Steve
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I occasionally take a Byfield Tracker 8x56, a polarised binocular, for use on the estuary or to look over the lakes when the sun is very bright or very low. To be fair these, and polarising filters, are perhaps more suited to brighter climes.
Robert Moore
Well-known member
The B+W 46mm XS-Pro Clear MRC-Nano 007 Filter is a simple, clear filter with a 1x filter factor and is designed to provide general protection for your lens. This optically clear filter does not affect overall image quality while helping to reduce dust, scratches, moisture, and other elements from damaging your lens. To prevent internal ghosting and reflections while providing over 99.8% light transmission, each glass surface includes multiple layers of anti-reflection coating. This Multi-Resistant Coating (MRC) also offers greater protection to the filter substrate and helps it to stay clean for longer than with uncoated filters. The Nano coating associated with XS-Pro filters provides an additional eighth layer over the MRC, resulting in an improved beading effect when in contact with water for greater cleaning efficiency.
B+W filters are constructed from Schott glass for increased optical clarity and color fidelity. This filter features a thin brass filter ring to minimize the potential for vignetting while enhancing durability and jamming prevention. To further reduce the possibility of vignetting while using this filter, the filter ring's outside diameter is slightly larger than the actual thread size. This may prevent the use of some lens manufacturer bayonet hoods.
General protection filter reduces dust, moisture, and scratches from reaching lens elements.
Does not require adjustments to exposure while in use.
Multicoated to prevent internal ghosting and reflections while providing over 99.8% light transmission.
Nano coating provides an improved beading effect with water for more efficient cleaning.
Creates no additional coloration or contrast.
Constructed from Schott glass for optical clarity.
Thin brass filter ring helps to prevent vignetting, jamming, and provides additional strength.
Plastic case for storage and transport.
99.8 percent light transmission so I am only losing .02% and they are optically excellent. I just want to keep this Zeiss HT in absolute new condition since they don’t make them anymore.
B+W filters are constructed from Schott glass for increased optical clarity and color fidelity. This filter features a thin brass filter ring to minimize the potential for vignetting while enhancing durability and jamming prevention. To further reduce the possibility of vignetting while using this filter, the filter ring's outside diameter is slightly larger than the actual thread size. This may prevent the use of some lens manufacturer bayonet hoods.
General protection filter reduces dust, moisture, and scratches from reaching lens elements.
Does not require adjustments to exposure while in use.
Multicoated to prevent internal ghosting and reflections while providing over 99.8% light transmission.
Nano coating provides an improved beading effect with water for more efficient cleaning.
Creates no additional coloration or contrast.
Constructed from Schott glass for optical clarity.
Thin brass filter ring helps to prevent vignetting, jamming, and provides additional strength.
Plastic case for storage and transport.
99.8 percent light transmission so I am only losing .02% and they are optically excellent. I just want to keep this Zeiss HT in absolute new condition since they don’t make them anymore.
Astro users use colour filters when viewing planets to enhance features not seen without filters.
Also for viewing deep sky objects.
For imaging, a filter wheel can have up to ten filters.
A good clear filter will have about zero impact at 10x.
It might start to degrade the view at 100x and will probably be noticed 200x.
I wonder if in fact the water repelling layer gives 100% transmission.
I doubt it.
I would query whether 99.8% total transmission is achieved in practice.
The Canon 18x50 IS has threads.
Personally, I only use polarising filters for viewing and photography.
My Minolta lenses rarely had filters and with careful use I don't think I ever scratched one.
Wearing polarising sunglasses, a weird thing happens with the Canon G15 screen if I turn it upright.
The screen goes completely black and I can't see anything.
But the viewfinder still works.
I think that B and W used to be part of Schneider, but am not sure.
B.
Also for viewing deep sky objects.
For imaging, a filter wheel can have up to ten filters.
A good clear filter will have about zero impact at 10x.
It might start to degrade the view at 100x and will probably be noticed 200x.
I wonder if in fact the water repelling layer gives 100% transmission.
I doubt it.
I would query whether 99.8% total transmission is achieved in practice.
The Canon 18x50 IS has threads.
Personally, I only use polarising filters for viewing and photography.
My Minolta lenses rarely had filters and with careful use I don't think I ever scratched one.
Wearing polarising sunglasses, a weird thing happens with the Canon G15 screen if I turn it upright.
The screen goes completely black and I can't see anything.
But the viewfinder still works.
I think that B and W used to be part of Schneider, but am not sure.
B.
Robert Moore
Well-known member
NDhunter
Experienced observer
My experience is this. I had a camera lens filter, a UV, or skylight filter, and tried it on my
Nikon ED50 spotting scope, it affected the view markedly, by darkening the view, and it also
seemed to give off some reflections.
Binoculars are optimized for anti-reflection by using very high quality coatings on the objective
lenses. All "nano" means is just marketing jargon.
So, I don't think much of filters, they will offer protection, and that is good, otherwise not so good for
optimal viewing.
Jerry
Nikon ED50 spotting scope, it affected the view markedly, by darkening the view, and it also
seemed to give off some reflections.
Binoculars are optimized for anti-reflection by using very high quality coatings on the objective
lenses. All "nano" means is just marketing jargon.
So, I don't think much of filters, they will offer protection, and that is good, otherwise not so good for
optimal viewing.
Jerry
Robert Moore
Well-known member
I will leave them on for a week or two than take them off and see if I notice a difference. These are not ND filters and are supposed to be perfectly clear that’s why I thought I would try them. If they protect the lens with no noticeable detriment to the view than that is what I was after.
Robert, Gary.
When I met with Gerold Dobler, (the product manager behind the HT and SF) a few years back, I asked about filters. He acknowledged he was in favour. We were mostly discussing colour balances, rather than polarising filters, but I have no reason to think they would have been excluded as an option. He regretted there was substantial opposition to the proposal from within the company, but wasn't prepared to explain why.
David
When I met with Gerold Dobler, (the product manager behind the HT and SF) a few years back, I asked about filters. He acknowledged he was in favour. We were mostly discussing colour balances, rather than polarising filters, but I have no reason to think they would have been excluded as an option. He regretted there was substantial opposition to the proposal from within the company, but wasn't prepared to explain why.
David
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There is a big difference between a low cost Korean or Chinese filter and a Schneider filter, usually B and W, although Schneider may make own name filters for Schneider lenses.
Schneider is up to, and sometimes exceeding, Zeiss quality.
As with Zeiss, who made lower cost lenses, Schneider used the name Isco for their lower priced lenses and optics.
I have some old Hoya filters, which are awful optical quality, although Hoya now seem to make better quality filters, even with their lower cost versions.
I don't like filters, but would be happy using Zeiss, B and W, Hassleblad, Nikon, Canon, Minolta or Sony filters. Also new Kowa ones. Soviet era filters are high quality but lack coatings usually.
Modern high transmission, high quality filters with top coatings should be fine on binoculars if needed.
If the light source is strong enough even a claimed 99.8% transmission filter will show faint ghost images.
UV and Skylight filters cut out some light so will be dimmer. They come in different shades also. Some may look pink.
Using filters on a scope is more demanding than on an 8x binocular.
B.
Schneider is up to, and sometimes exceeding, Zeiss quality.
As with Zeiss, who made lower cost lenses, Schneider used the name Isco for their lower priced lenses and optics.
I have some old Hoya filters, which are awful optical quality, although Hoya now seem to make better quality filters, even with their lower cost versions.
I don't like filters, but would be happy using Zeiss, B and W, Hassleblad, Nikon, Canon, Minolta or Sony filters. Also new Kowa ones. Soviet era filters are high quality but lack coatings usually.
Modern high transmission, high quality filters with top coatings should be fine on binoculars if needed.
If the light source is strong enough even a claimed 99.8% transmission filter will show faint ghost images.
UV and Skylight filters cut out some light so will be dimmer. They come in different shades also. Some may look pink.
Using filters on a scope is more demanding than on an 8x binocular.
B.
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Alexis Powell
Natural history enthusiast
Obviously, you had a cheap filter of poor quality. A lot of those are sold (or given away as free perks) for protecting camera lenses at the expense of optical quality. The coatings on B+W filters are every bit as good as any you will find on today's top-end bins. Yes, "nano" is a B+W marketing term but it isn't meaningless, just as LotuTec isn't meaningless. Both denote the use of water and grime-shedding coatings. If you want the best of both worlds--lens protection without measurable effect on viewing or your photography--you might be interested in giving high quality filters a try. Unfortunately, they are expensive relative to lenses of comparable quality. I don't use clear filters with my camera lenses except sometimes at the seashore, but I have a B+W circular polarizer in 77 mm with nano coatings that I think was ~$100 in cost.
--AP
My beef with filters is that condensation can build on the inside of the filter. The view gradually deteriorates, so it creeps up on the hapless owner.
I switched to a rubber lens hood for my ED50 and metal hoods/glare shields for my Canon 10x42.
Birding when there is blowing sand is perhaps the only time a filter is really needed, hoods will serve equally well otherwise imho.
I switched to a rubber lens hood for my ED50 and metal hoods/glare shields for my Canon 10x42.
Birding when there is blowing sand is perhaps the only time a filter is really needed, hoods will serve equally well otherwise imho.
Robert Moore
Well-known member
Good point on condensation and would be something to watch out for in changing temperatures for sure.
