UV screw in filters for scopes?

[GentleBen]

OK, I was a news photographer for a long time, using fine Canon and Nikon lenses. I always had a clear UV,ultraviolet) or clear Skylight filter screwed in to the front of my lenses.

The filters protected the lenses and filtered out the blue light to make images more lifelike. Of course, the main reason for them was to protect the lenses from dust, smudges, scratches, etc.

Do they make such protective screw-in filters for rifle scopes?

Leupold has a yellow and a bronze intensifier lens, but they only make them for their size scopes and they cost a fortune. UV and Skylight filters for cameras cost around $10 to $15.

I would think that scope lenses should have some common inside threads as cameras. I recently bought a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 scope from Larry Scott and it is nice, so nice I want to protect the lens. I have put on the sun shade, but that won't keep dust off of it.

Also, don't try to tell me about glare, because 1) cameras lenses are just as sensitive as scopes, and 2) a sun shade takes care of the glare.

Hope to find some answers while I take measurements and start shopping for a camera lens to fit my Sightron.

 

[GentleBen]

Fred Bohl, I just read your Sept. 2007 archived report on filters and it answered a couple of my questions.

But my main concern, and only interest here, is for lens protection,and so I can be more careless when cleaning). So, does a UV filter -- which is contrast neutral -- block out any light transmission? Keeping in mind I only do daytime target shooting and do not hunt in morning or late evenings, transmission loss should be minimal, if at all.

What are your thoughts on UV filter use ... and which ones would you recommend? Does anyone know which filter size I would need for the Sightron SIII 8-32x56?

 

[anyrange]

Ben,
Only in a perfect world would camera filters fit scopes. The few scopes that have screw on lens covers have managed to find a whole class of threads which are different then todays camera filters. I removed the threads on an old 49mm filter and glued it on the end of one of my scopes to play around with colored filters years ago. I found that every seems to be to dark on the scope and never thought about just using a UV or Haze filter for protection. Damn, I give all the filters away and still have the ring on the scope.

 

[mikecr]

I would think that scope lenses should have some common inside threads as cameras.

Maybe camera lens threads should match scopes..
And why is it STILL, that scopes have no split-ring/prism focus?

It's because there is no customer feedback process in modern business models. There is only accounting feedback..

 

[Fred Bohl]

GentleBen,

I sent a reply to your PM but will add a general commentary here. Although clear protective, UV,0)[preferable for scopes], Skylight,1B), and Haze filters have been used by photographers for many years to protect the front lens element that does not make it a good idea for telescopic sights.

The way most camera lenses are made, the front lens is more exposed and subject to direct contact mechanical damage,impact and scratching) than the objective of a telescopic sight. Most telescopic sights have the objective lens well recessed from the rim.

Those telescopic sights that have threads on the objective ID have them first to facilitate objective cell factory installation/assembly/adjustment. Some also make them accessible for mounting sun shades and/or screw-in scope caps. In either case they were not provided to mount filters and usually not in popular camera filter sizes. It would be in the manufacturers interest to make the size unique/proprietary to retain the accessory business for themselves,as many camera companies often did).

If your use puts the scope at risk of contact damage, the best protection is scope caps: screw-in, slip-fit, see-thru or whole scope covers.

 

[StevenDzupin]

Even Plain Glass such as BK7 will block about 3% of visible light.

I used a lot of Filters in my last line of work and will
state that most any type of filter can be purchased in
2', more like 50mm ) square format.

A good optician can make a circle out of it easily.

You would need a machinist to make you a threaded ring assembly

to fit your scopes objective and your good to go.

I did such work years ago.

One thing to mention,the filter must be optically flat or your point of aim will be different with the filter in use.

Regards,

Steve

 

[GentleBen]

good stuff, thanks gang

 

[simar]

what about some of the filters that leupold sells as a part of its intensifier kit?

 

[Fred Bohl]

simar,

Here is a link to the filter article GentleBen referred to in his #2 post above:Click Here. You will find comparisons to some of the Leupold Intensifier filters.

 

[anyrange]

Ben,
The skylight or haze filter will still make the clouds and sky look better.,on film)

 

[simar]

thanks Fred