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Thread: Dealing with reflection between lens and filter?

  1. #1
    jvuokko's Avatar
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    Dealing with reflection between lens and filter?

    Recently I have been using some quite dark filter. Deep reds, very dense ND filters (between densities 1.5 ... 4.0). All are made from gelatin.


    The problem is that sometimes the lenses barrel and markings will reflect from the filter to the image. This happens with wide field lenses, like 90mm, 75mm and 65mm in 4x5" size.

    The most problematic is my 75mm super-angulon, Linhof Technica-labeled and has shiny metallic barrel. From lenses with black paint finish, only the white markings will cause reflections.


    I guess that the main cause is the small gap between the front of lens and the filter itself. I have tried to close that gap with black paper but that doesn't help much. Perhaps it allowed still too much light to enter to the front of the lens via corners etc.


    Is there any commonly known solutions for this?
    Jukka Vuokko
    Flickr

  2. #2
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    Re: Dealing with reflection between lens and filter?

    Are you using a lens hood?

  3. #3
    jp's Avatar
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    Re: Dealing with reflection between lens and filter?

    You can tape the filter to the back of the lens.

    Otherwise, you're going to need some sort of hood/compendium to keep the stray light off the filter/lens.

  4. #4

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    Re: Dealing with reflection between lens and filter?

    darken light lettering and chrome with a black dry erase marker.
    as Gem said, use a compendium shade if you aren't already.

  5. #5
    Big Negs Rock!
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    Re: Dealing with reflection between lens and filter?

    On film cameras, there often is a gap between the outside edge of the lens and the inside edge of the matte box. The gap is covered with a "doughnut" made of about 1/2" black foam the slips over the lens barrel and extends beyond the edge of the matte box. Simple, cheap, and can be made for different lenses.
    Mark Woods

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  6. #6

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    Re: Dealing with reflection between lens and filter?

    Multi-coated filters don't help?

    I don't recall experiencing this problem with my Technikas and filters. I did use a Linhof compendium shade for a while but it was a pain to put on and take off so I didn't actually use it much. I also tried an Ebony "flag" gizmo on Ebony cameras but all that really did was keep direct sunlight off the lens. And finally I used the Lee filter system which includes a bellows and a filter in front (similar to the Linhof compendium shade but easier to put on and take off). It too was something of a pain.

    I mention all these systems just because you might want to try one of them. I wasn't wild about any of them. In fact with filters I quit even screwing them on the lens, I just started holding them in front of the lens by hand and that seemed to work fine.

    I hope this doesn't sound like I cared so little about my photography that I didn't want to go to any trouble. That wasn't the case, I just didn't find the problem for me to be worth these solutions. But maybe one would work for you.
    Brian Ellis
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    a mile away and you'll have their shoes.

  7. #7
    Big Negs Rock!
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    Re: Dealing with reflection between lens and filter?

    One can also put the filter behind the lens. Sinars have this capability, but one could put something together to do this on any camera.
    Mark Woods

    Large Format B&W
    Cinematography Mentor at the American Film Institute
    Past President of the Pasadena Society of Artists
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  8. #8

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    Re: Dealing with reflection between lens and filter?

    A multicoated filter will minimise reflections. You could cut a ring of black felt to place on the front ring of the lens, that should eliminate all reflections.
    One man's Mede is another man's Persian.

  9. #9

    Re: Dealing with reflection between lens and filter?

    " You could cut a ring of black felt to place on the front ring of the lens, that should eliminate all reflections. "

    so would a black paper ring, easier to cut and use.

  10. #10
    jvuokko's Avatar
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    Re: Dealing with reflection between lens and filter?

    I have ordinary Toyo compendium in my Toyo monorail cameras. But for very wide angle lenses, it cannot be extended much, thus light can easily reach lenses front from gap between gelatin filter and the lens.

    Here's example with longer lens, the compendium works quite well:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    With my 4x5 field, it's different story. Currently I have compendium, but it's attached to the filter holder. All the filters will be in direct light.
    Usually it's enough if I just shade them with my hand or darkslide, but when using really dense filters the reflections become problem.

    All filter systems with compendium that I have seen has this problem. The filters aren't covered by the hood. No matter if it's Lee system or Cokin.

    Here's compendium attached to the filter holder. The gap is huge:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Jukka Vuokko
    Flickr

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