I'm trying to learn about some of the finer points of LF.
What is the story with center filters? In 35mm if a lens has bad light fall-off we say its a bad lens. We don't say "that's ok, just whack a center filter on it ". Why does this happen in LF?
If a lens needs a center filter for even illumination, then why isn't it part of the optical formula? Like why don't they either include it with the lens or els e tint the lens elements to give evenness?
Just to pick an example out of the air - The Schneider Super Symmar XL 150mm (ac cording to http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~qtluong/photography/lf/lenses-table4x5. html needs a centre filter, but the similar spec Nikon 150mm SW does not. Does that mean the Nikon is a better lens (at least in that r espect)? Wow look at the price of the Schneider filter for the 150mm - $1039 - w ow.
Are center filters only for perfectionists? Or are they more or less mandatory? Do the lenses on that web page not listing a center filter not need one, or are they just not mentioned? Should it be a big part of my decision which lens to ge t according to whether it needs a center filter?
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