leorossi Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 I finally got one of these on eBay, from a German shop. I have never owned a B+W Kaesemann filter and I don't know how to judge a defective item. The other B+W filter I previously discussed on these pages is a linear top-pol in an altogether different league (it seems). A disquieting feeling started to creep over me upon opening the package when I noticed: a) the rim of the brass mounting ring was somehow oily and sticking to the inner surface of the plastic case b)placing the filter perpendicularly under a light source - a simple 100 watt bulb - and looking at the light reflected on the glass, I could see one of the two inner glass surfaces run by 'creases' (like the creased surface of a calm sea, so to speak) not at all regularly. However, these creases are not visible once I place the filter against the light and look through it. I am calling upon your expertise, dear photo.net members, in order to understand whether this is a defect, a degrading process of something in the glass or a common peculiarity of this type of filters. Thank you so much in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan_dong1 Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 Leo, If in doubt, best person(s) to ask is Schneider Optics USA in Long Island, NY. Do a Yahoo! or Goggle search and ask their technical department. I beleive that the Kaesemann filter consists of polarizing laminate film. That might explain why you see the creases. Evan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q.g._de_bakker Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 All Polarizing filters consist of a 'plastic' foil (the active bit) laminated betwen two glass blanks, whiche merely serve as protection for the foil.<br>Filters according to Käsemann are the same, but have an extra seal, preventing moisture to creep in between the glass (which will, when it does, destroy the polarizing foil).<br><br>I don't know what it is your filter is showing. Could be the foil itself decomposing, oozing out someting like a platicizing agent? Maybe it was kept too hot?<br>Can you check it against another polarizer, see if when used in crossed-tandem*, the crease pattern also shows up? If not, and nothing else shows up looking through it, i guess there is little to worry about.<br><br>* This will not work if the B+W is a circular polarizer, unless you hold with it the right side facing the other polarizer. If you do not get the expected darkening, flip it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leorossi Posted June 30, 2005 Author Share Posted June 30, 2005 Thanks Evan and Q.G. Evan, I found their email and am asking them for delucidations. Q.G.: it's a circular polarizer, as I'm working through TTL metering. I will post their reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Ingold Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 This was discussed in another thread. The quarter-wave plate in a circular polarizer gives the illusion of wrinkles when observed from the lens side. It is caused by light passing through the QW plate twice. The "wrinkles" are not visible from the objective side, nor in transmission. A Kaesemann filter is completely sealed - the film is bonded to both glass surfaces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leorossi Posted June 30, 2005 Author Share Posted June 30, 2005 Thanks Edward! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonpg Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 Leo there is a good chance it is quite normal. Commenting "blind" here 'cause I can't see it. But I have a few that I bought from the importer and when I inspected the 2 I bought on site I noticed that "crease" pattern more in one than the other. I and the sales manager looked at them carefully and he commented that this "wavy" pattern is normal and is a visual characteristic of the film. These are top drawer Pol filters and the technician there took one look and said perfectly normal (I know this firm well and they really look after me so were not just brushing me off). However one did have an apparent tear in the film (very very small) and they swapped it for another which alos had that creasing/wavy appearance. Anyway they all work perfectly well. With regard to "oily" stuff you mention, coincidently I did notice that on one of mine - I wiped it and it's never worried ma again (and I am a bit fussy). So, go take photos with it and see what the results are. But, as best as I can comment from here, I think both characteristics are normal.I have four in total and they have varying degrees of what you comment on. I also have one Canon and one Hoya MC and these have no such oil and no such "wavy/creasing" and B&W told me that these are characteristics of Kaesemann types (which are far more durable). Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_landecker Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 Because the glass-containing ring an polarizer rotates in the threaded portion, could the oily stuff be dampening grease that's leaked out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leorossi Posted July 1, 2005 Author Share Posted July 1, 2005 Simon, thank you so much for your feedback. I sent a letter to Schneider Optics asking for advice, and as soon as reply comes I'm posting it. I thought it was funny that something so expensive should have such anxiety-inducing characteristics (however, to be fair, the brass mount is perfect). Jim: oil might be some kind of lubricant for the rotating ring indeed. Seller should send a reply too about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan_dong1 Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 Leo, I have several Kasesemann filters and all of them do not have any problems such as the ones you described. No leakage or creases within the foil. I hope that your problem will be resolved promptly and in your favoe by Schnieder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q.g._de_bakker Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 Leo,<br><br>I too would be a bit wary of the "it's normal" theory.<br>I have many polarizers and (i have just checked) none of them (as in 0) show the creas/wavy pattern phenomenon you (and others now too) describe.<br>Yet, that could be quite coincidental, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q.g._de_bakker Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 Oh and...<br><br>That ("none of them") includes circular polarizers, K䳥mann polarizers, and K䳥mann circular polarizers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Ingold Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 All of my circular polarizers show this ripple phenomena - Hoya, B+W, B+W Kaesemann and Hasselblad. Use a point source of light and look from the QWP side (which faces the lens). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leorossi Posted July 1, 2005 Author Share Posted July 1, 2005 Evan, Q.G., Edward, thanks for your feedback. I am still waiting for some kind of reply from the people at Schneider's - which I'm afraid hasn't made it here yet and most certainly won't until the weekend is past. I will keep you posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJT Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 I, too, would be interested in the replies regarding this. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leorossi Posted July 12, 2005 Author Share Posted July 12, 2005 I have sent a couple of letters to Schneider but have received no reply so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leorossi Posted July 29, 2005 Author Share Posted July 29, 2005 So far, no answer yet, but I did use the Kaesemann both on 6x7 and 135 and there seems to be no problem about tone or resolution. It does work ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiraz_mahyera Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I just got one and same thing.. the film surface looks a bit *rippled*.. but i dont think this makes any difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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