Reviews
This is a seriously good filter!
I've been an amateur photographer since high school, buying my first "serious" camera in 1967. I've always been a big believer in filters, if for no other reason than lens protection—but back in my film days, especially black and white, I almost always had a yellow, or green, etc. filter on to get a more correct B and W image. Even though I'm careful with my equipment, I use it, and carry a cameras on hikes, etc.—and have a handful of shattered or deeply scratched filters from mishaps over the years, and each one represents a lens that wasn't damaged. So, I rarely won't have a UV filter on.
I decoded to really test this filter, along with a few others: two from top tier brands, both at least 10 to 15 years old, this K&F, another recent "new brand" and finally, a bare lens. For my test I used a heavy tripod, and had a bright, mid morning sun facing the camera, at about 35º up and 10º to the left of the lens axis. I did not use a lens shade.
I'm including a few screen shots of the images here. Each has a note in it saying what it is. More than anything, I realize I need to redo this test, with additional expiosures of each filter, to select the most vibration free one. (This is a 102 Mega pixel sensor; I've been learning all sorts of things about vibration lately, since getting this camera...) I am also going to fully clean each of the filters. For this test, I did clean them all, so that by eye I couldn't't see any dust, or other residue—but, next time I am going to use Residual Oil Remover ("ROR") which is truly there best way to get a lens surface clean.
In any case, this K+F filter came closest to matching the "no filter" shot, in terms of overall contrast and color saturation. It also rendered the more subtle etching on Washington's forehead about as well as the other top filters.
What I can't answer is how durable the coatings will prove to be. Mechanically, the filter screws on and off easily, without any sticking. The machining on the rim is nicely done. A brass rim would be about the only upgrade I can think of. If you're curious about this line of filters, I encourage you to try one.
I decoded to really test this filter, along with a few others: two from top tier brands, both at least 10 to 15 years old, this K&F, another recent "new brand" and finally, a bare lens. For my test I used a heavy tripod, and had a bright, mid morning sun facing the camera, at about 35º up and 10º to the left of the lens axis. I did not use a lens shade.
I'm including a few screen shots of the images here. Each has a note in it saying what it is. More than anything, I realize I need to redo this test, with additional expiosures of each filter, to select the most vibration free one. (This is a 102 Mega pixel sensor; I've been learning all sorts of things about vibration lately, since getting this camera...) I am also going to fully clean each of the filters. For this test, I did clean them all, so that by eye I couldn't't see any dust, or other residue—but, next time I am going to use Residual Oil Remover ("ROR") which is truly there best way to get a lens surface clean.
In any case, this K+F filter came closest to matching the "no filter" shot, in terms of overall contrast and color saturation. It also rendered the more subtle etching on Washington's forehead about as well as the other top filters.
What I can't answer is how durable the coatings will prove to be. Mechanically, the filter screws on and off easily, without any sticking. The machining on the rim is nicely done. A brass rim would be about the only upgrade I can think of. If you're curious about this line of filters, I encourage you to try one.
12/02/2024