05-16-2006, 10:45 PM
what that is, is an anti-reflective coating. It cuts down on glare on the inside of the lens from reflections from alongside or behind you. Think of a strong light directly behind you, reflecting into the lens, then into your eyes.
It cuts down on glare and pumps the contrast up a bit, as even low level glare on those lenses will degrade the image. You may not even notice it, but it does happen.
The downside, is that that coating is a pain in the ass. I get the same thing from oil on my upper cheekbones getting on the lower outside edge of my lenses, and the eyebrow area.
the best solution is a microfiber cleaning cloth and to use it frequently. That coating is rather soft, and easy to scratch.
And to clean the microfiber cloth when it gets loaded with oil, which it will. it will smear, instead off clean, is to use a low or no residue liquid detergent and a sink full of water. Rinse it really well, and let it hang dry.
I have been using microfiber cloths for well over a decade, since they were originally known to people whose jobs revolved around optical instrumentation, then pro photographers started to use them. Some high end multi-coated lenses just smear when you use normal cleaners. And some cleaners will leave a residue.
It cuts down on glare and pumps the contrast up a bit, as even low level glare on those lenses will degrade the image. You may not even notice it, but it does happen.
The downside, is that that coating is a pain in the ass. I get the same thing from oil on my upper cheekbones getting on the lower outside edge of my lenses, and the eyebrow area.
the best solution is a microfiber cleaning cloth and to use it frequently. That coating is rather soft, and easy to scratch.
And to clean the microfiber cloth when it gets loaded with oil, which it will. it will smear, instead off clean, is to use a low or no residue liquid detergent and a sink full of water. Rinse it really well, and let it hang dry.
I have been using microfiber cloths for well over a decade, since they were originally known to people whose jobs revolved around optical instrumentation, then pro photographers started to use them. Some high end multi-coated lenses just smear when you use normal cleaners. And some cleaners will leave a residue.