Filter on a Spotter?

[ghostrider272]

Anyone run a filter lens on their spotter for protection? If so, do you see a difference and what do you run?

Appreciate the insight!

 

[Cyril]

I run a filter on mine and any high end camera lenses I own. Personally notice no difference but always buy the highest end protective filter you can get.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Kowa spotters are threaded for filters. A UV protection filter is always a good idea. It does not detract at all from the image quality

 

[alexnelon]

I use an 81 series filter on my (admittedly archaic but super bright Nikon ED II) spotter. It’s a warming filter originally for film cameras but it makes the greens and browns pop a lot more. Especially helpful in snow or when it’s cloudy and everything looks gray.

It does make the image slightly darker though (only 1/3 f-stop) so if your scope struggles in low light it might not be for you.

A plain UV filter doesn’t affect the brightness at all though.

 

[SomeJackassOnAForum]

Swaro spotters are threaded, but good luck finding a filter for an 85, 95, or 115.

As far as protecting the lens, the best thing you can do on their scopes is extend the sunshade.

 

[eaglemountainman]

I have 3 Kowa spotters and use protective filters on 2 of them. They are the TSN-554 and TSN-66s. I don't have one on a TSN-884 because the threads on that scope are on the sunshade, and not the objective housing. Why!? I don't know why they did that... Anyway, I only use that scope from the truck window, so it's not subject to the perils of the two field scopes.

I use Breakthrough Photography X4 UV lenses, and no, they do not affect image quality at all.

 

[TaperPin]

I’ve toyed with the idea, even use filters on photography equipment, but in the end settled on packing around better lens cleaning supplies instead for a spotter since the eye piece and binoculars would still require normal attention. With consistent use of lens covers I just don’t see damage like scratches to the objective lens of a spotter as a common enough issue to protect against. Scratches on coatings from improper cleaning are a real issue for many guys - they desperately need something like a lens pen, or camera cleaning brush and Zeiss lens wipe packets.

 

[Firestone]

Like Taperpin said, those Zeiss cleaning pads are money. I always have 6 or so in my bino pouch.

I really wish someone would invent a filter that had a clean milling reticle, I would definitely be buying one of those.

 

[SomeJackassOnAForum]

Like Taperpin said, those Zeiss cleaning pads are money. I always have 6 or so in my bino pouch.

I really wish someone would invent a filter that had a clean milling reticle, I would definitely be buying one of those.

Will never happen. (Not optically possible)

 

[Grassymike]

This is something that I need to get. For me it is more about if you ever tipped your scope over , maybe it saves your objective lense from being shattered.

 

[Firestone]

yeah thats what i have been told. I still want one though haha

Will never happen. (Not optically possible)

 

[Cyril]

Wipes don't help when they hit the ground. The reason I use protective filters isn't dirt. I had a camera on a tripod tip over. Shattered a $100 filter but the lens was unscathed.

 

[Aicmax]

Wipes don't help when they hit the ground. The reason I use protective filters isn't dirt. I had a camera on a tripod tip over. Shattered a $100 filter but the lens was unscathed.

What filter do you use? I’m looking at a Nisi armor fx pro uv filter. They say it can take an actual hammer hit and it gets rid of blue haze.

 

[Cyril]

What filter do you use? I’m looking at a Nisi armor fx pro uv filter. They say it can take an actual hammer hit and it gets rid of blue haze.

Honestly I don't know. I have a local camera store that is very good. The one thing I will say is don't skimp on the filter, by the best you can. Why buy a $2000 "alpha" spotter and put the $59 filter that reduces your light transmission.

 

[ghostrider272]

Talk with Doug and Co at CameralandNY. They hooked me up with a pretty nice filter. Was around 100$ but I'd rather replace that than the Kowa lens...