Re: nikon-digest V4 #251 Filters

[Richard D Scherrer http://northernexposuresphoto.com]

Chris,and group.
The only thing Impressive about Nikon filters is the price. they are made
just like any Tiffen or other filter. The ONLY filter to own is a B&W
filter made in Germany. All Name brand filters are made of sheets of
optical glass.Cheap ones are made of hardware store window glass. This
manufacturing method leads to slight inconsistancies in the uniform density
throughout the glass, which sometimes causes slight aberations in the image
like minor color fringing, ghosting etc. B&W filters are the only filters
made of a special german "Schott" glass and of a different process
entirely. The glass is molded in blocks and cooled very slowly for uniform
density. Then cylinders are cut from the block and sliced to an extremely
close tolerence and polished to absolute perfection. This Produces the only
filter on the market that is truely invisible to the eye and to the film in
your camera in so far as aberations are concerned.. Yes it also means that
they are more expensive, but still a little cheaper than the Nikons and you
get more than just a namesake for the money. When other companies start
using a process like this they too can make a serious filter like B&W but
until then B&W remains the only filter to own. Try one and you will see
that the difference is clearly visible to the naked eye. I shoot
professionally, and use ONLY Nikon equipment for my 35nn needs but have to
say heartily, NO WAY to Nikon Filters. Or any other for that matter. A 1-A
or UV is truely necessary, not only for protecting that expensive front
lense element, but ti simply undeniably takes the bite out of the sun to
eleminate that hazy glare.I perfer the 1-A and don't use the UV because the
1-A produces a slight, almost unnoticable warmness in image that is always
pleasent. 
Sincerely,
Richard
--
Richard D. Scherrer

Northern Exposures Photography
Phone: (406) 837-6911
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
WWW: http://www.northernexposuresphoto.com