New/old lens

**dipo 1** · 11-19-2023, 03:46 PM - **3 Likes**

Yesterday I went to a Yard Sale and picked up an SMC PENTAX - M F2.8 100mm for all of $10, It is in very goof condition.It has a filter on it that I'm not familiar with. The nomenclature on it reads KENKO first letter is either an O or an 8 then it could be a S then kylight as I look at more and more I think it is SKYLIGHT,
but not sure. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Second thing, asked for advice on getting a DSLR for my granddaughter one of you suggested I give her my K5 and buy a newer camera, so I headed his advice and purchased a KIII, nice camera. Just wanted to say thanks for the great advice.

kypfer · 11-19-2023, 04:03 PM - **3 Likes**

Kenko are reasonable quality manufacturers and a "skylight" filter is often recommended as "protection", though, in the days of film, they did serve a purpose, especially at altitude or on the shore, where they reduced the "blueness" from the excess of ultra-violet (which the human eye can't see but the film can!)
Personally, I'd suggest removing the filter and relying on a lens hood for protection.
Enjoy

Ausable · 11-19-2023, 04:04 PM - **1 Like**

Skylight filters were used with color films to warm up the image. Blue light from the sky would sometimes produce an overall blue tone in the image. That was especially noticeable with some slide films. Remove the skylight filter from the lens: you do not need it with a DSLR.

othar · 11-19-2023, 04:34 PM - **1 Like**

Wow, a nice find.
I think I'll have to show up on Yard Sales more often

**Bob 256** · 11-19-2023, 05:30 PM - **2 Likes**

It's a skylight filter if you take it off and lay it on a white sheet of paper and observe that it has a slight "pink" cast to it. Laying it on the paper will double pass the light so it will make the tint more pronounced. I say that because if you just look through the filter you might not notice the tint at all (if it's a skylight filter). It was supposed to prevent skies from taking on a blue coloration due to UV but I could never see a difference. I gave the skylight filter up for UV filters which have a slight yellow tint and they do soak up considerable UV, but make use of what you have and good luck with your fine catch.

**Blackwing1** · 11-19-2023, 05:56 PM - **1 Like**

dipo 1: Congratulations on a fabulous yard sale find!

I don't understand the reluctance to using a UV filter on a lens. I have been buying used ones with great success from B&H or KEH for the sole purpose of protecting the front element of my lenses from physical damage. I have no problem with using some lens cleaner and a microfiber cloth in the field on a $5 filter. I guess I regard them as basically disposable if necessary. I keep a microfiber cloth in a plastic bag folded flat and tucked into the pocket on my camera strap, and have used it to wipe water droplets off the front of the lens when taking pictures near rivers or waterfalls that have some splashing water that will pop out onto me. A quick swipe with the cloth and I'm back in action, where I'd be terrified (well, scared at least) of doing that right on the front surface of the first lens element.

If I bash a lens into something the filter is a sacrificial warning. If I drag it through some brush (hey, I live in Wyoming) and scratch the filter, it's not a big loss.

A good filter will not affect image quality, and I see no reason to NOT use one, but I'm not an optical expert. I've just never seen a difference in IQ between having one on, and not.

Wheatfield · 11-19-2023, 06:29 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Blackwing1

A good filter will not affect image quality, and I see no reason to NOT use one, but I'm not an optical expert. I've just never seen a difference in IQ between having one on, and not.

^^^^^^this^^^^^^^

Please don't make this thread a protective filter debate.

The guy just got a nice score on a lens (congratulations).
Discuss that.

Pictures or it didn't happen.

**ramseybuckeye** · 11-19-2023, 07:13 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by dipo 1

Yesterday I went to a Yard Sale and picked up an SMC PENTAX - M F2.8 100mm for all of $10, It is in very goof condition.It has a filter on it that I'm not familiar with. The nomenclature on it reads KENKO first letter is either an O or an 8 then it could be a S then kylight as I look at more and more I think it is SKYLIGHT,
but not sure. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

.

Nice buy!

Originally posted by kypfer

Personally, I'd suggest removing the filter and relying on a lens hood for protection.
Enjoy

This^^

**PKMike** · 11-19-2023, 09:53 PM

A very good lens, well built, compact and optically excellent.

Nice find!

**yucatanPentax** · 11-20-2023, 07:43 AM

That is quite a bargain for a fine lens, originally and still. The Skylight filter can be used as "protection" or not, as is your practice and preference.

Personally, I affix a lens hood to almost everything almost all the time these days. In many years, I've never shattered a lens or severely damaged one. But in the days using film, a Skylight filter or UV filter was often used for a specific reason. For example, I felt that a Skylight filter often enriched the green areas of an image, like trees or grass. Otherwise, I didn't use them.

The lens is a nice small size for an f2.8 with 100mm reach. Just great to use as a short(er) telephoto lens. I hope you'll enjoy it!

**wildlybored** · 11-20-2023, 08:44 AM

good find, I had to pay several times more for mine

**FozzFoster** · 11-20-2023, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by dipo 1

picked up an SMC PENTAX - M F2.8 100mm for all of $10,

outrageously good deal - well done!

**EssJayEff** · 11-20-2023, 09:59 AM

Congratulations, Dipo!

A handful of years ago I came across a Pentax 67 camera with some lenses in a yard sale. Problem was, the seller knew what he had and there was no wiggle room with pricing, so I passed.

angerdan · 11-21-2023, 05:44 AM

Originally posted by dipo 1

It has a filter on it that I'm not familiar with. The nomenclature on it reads KENKO first letter is either an O or an 8 then it could be a S then kylight as I look at more and more I think it is SKYLIGHT, but not sure. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Second thing, asked for advice on getting a DSLR for my granddaughter one of you suggested I give her my K5 and buy a newer camera, so I headed his advice and purchased a KIII, nice camera. Just wanted to say thanks for the great advice.

If you're interested to read about what a skylight filter is:
Hoya HMC Skylight 1B Filter | Free shipping w/ $25 Purchase ? Hoya Filters
Congrats to your K-3 III
It's an awesome camera. Let us see some photos!
Which lens(es) do you use?

AnotherVoice · 11-21-2023, 08:03 AM

I have a K-5 and also upgraded to the K=3iii. Massive upgrade!

11-19-2023, 03:46 PM - 3 Likes	#1
dipo 1 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 361	New/old lens Yesterday I went to a Yard Sale and picked up an SMC PENTAX - M F2.8 100mm for all of $10, It is in very goof condition.It has a filter on it that I'm not familiar with. The nomenclature on it reads KENKO first letter is either an O or an 8 then it could be a S then kylight as I look at more and more I think it is SKYLIGHT, but not sure. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Second thing, asked for advice on getting a DSLR for my granddaughter one of you suggested I give her my K5 and buy a newer camera, so I headed his advice and purchased a KIII, nice camera. Just wanted to say thanks for the great advice.

11-21-2023, 05:44 AM	#14
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,535	Originally posted by dipo 1 It has a filter on it that I'm not familiar with. The nomenclature on it reads KENKO first letter is either an O or an 8 then it could be a S then kylight as I look at more and more I think it is SKYLIGHT, but not sure. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Second thing, asked for advice on getting a DSLR for my granddaughter one of you suggested I give her my K5 and buy a newer camera, so I headed his advice and purchased a KIII, nice camera. Just wanted to say thanks for the great advice. If you're interested to read about what a skylight filter is: Hoya HMC Skylight 1B Filter \| Free shipping w/ $25 Purchase ? Hoya Filters Congrats to your K-3 III It's an awesome camera. Let us see some photos! Which lens(es) do you use?

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11-19-2023, 04:03 PM - 3 Likes	#2
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,286	Kenko are reasonable quality manufacturers and a "skylight" filter is often recommended as "protection", though, in the days of film, they did serve a purpose, especially at altitude or on the shore, where they reduced the "blueness" from the excess of ultra-violet (which the human eye can't see but the film can!) Personally, I'd suggest removing the filter and relying on a lens hood for protection. Enjoy

11-19-2023, 04:04 PM - 1 Like	#3
Ausable Senior Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 146	Skylight filters were used with color films to warm up the image. Blue light from the sky would sometimes produce an overall blue tone in the image. That was especially noticeable with some slide films. Remove the skylight filter from the lens: you do not need it with a DSLR.

11-19-2023, 04:34 PM - 1 Like	#4
othar Pentaxian Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 2,999	Wow, a nice find. I think I'll have to show up on Yard Sales more often

11-19-2023, 05:30 PM - 2 Likes	#5
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,265	It's a skylight filter if you take it off and lay it on a white sheet of paper and observe that it has a slight "pink" cast to it. Laying it on the paper will double pass the light so it will make the tint more pronounced. I say that because if you just look through the filter you might not notice the tint at all (if it's a skylight filter). It was supposed to prevent skies from taking on a blue coloration due to UV but I could never see a difference. I gave the skylight filter up for UV filters which have a slight yellow tint and they do soak up considerable UV, but make use of what you have and good luck with your fine catch.

11-19-2023, 05:56 PM - 1 Like	#6
Blackwing1 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2023 Location: Northwest Wyoming Posts: 88	dipo 1: Congratulations on a fabulous yard sale find! I don't understand the reluctance to using a UV filter on a lens. I have been buying used ones with great success from B&H or KEH for the sole purpose of protecting the front element of my lenses from physical damage. I have no problem with using some lens cleaner and a microfiber cloth in the field on a $5 filter. I guess I regard them as basically disposable if necessary. I keep a microfiber cloth in a plastic bag folded flat and tucked into the pocket on my camera strap, and have used it to wipe water droplets off the front of the lens when taking pictures near rivers or waterfalls that have some splashing water that will pop out onto me. A quick swipe with the cloth and I'm back in action, where I'd be terrified (well, scared at least) of doing that right on the front surface of the first lens element. If I bash a lens into something the filter is a sacrificial warning. If I drag it through some brush (hey, I live in Wyoming) and scratch the filter, it's not a big loss. A good filter will not affect image quality, and I see no reason to NOT use one, but I'm not an optical expert. I've just never seen a difference in IQ between having one on, and not.

11-19-2023, 06:29 PM - 1 Like	#7
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,623	Originally posted by Blackwing1 A good filter will not affect image quality, and I see no reason to NOT use one, but I'm not an optical expert. I've just never seen a difference in IQ between having one on, and not. ^^^^^^this^^^^^^^ Please don't make this thread a protective filter debate. The guy just got a nice score on a lens (congratulations). Discuss that. Pictures or it didn't happen.

11-19-2023, 07:13 PM - 1 Like	#8
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,881	Originally posted by dipo 1 Yesterday I went to a Yard Sale and picked up an SMC PENTAX - M F2.8 100mm for all of $10, It is in very goof condition.It has a filter on it that I'm not familiar with. The nomenclature on it reads KENKO first letter is either an O or an 8 then it could be a S then kylight as I look at more and more I think it is SKYLIGHT, but not sure. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. . Nice buy! Originally posted by kypfer Personally, I'd suggest removing the filter and relying on a lens hood for protection. Enjoy This^^

11-19-2023, 09:53 PM	#9
PKMike Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 604	A very good lens, well built, compact and optically excellent. Nice find!

11-20-2023, 07:43 AM	#10
yucatanPentax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas / Yucatan Posts: 1,726	That is quite a bargain for a fine lens, originally and still. The Skylight filter can be used as "protection" or not, as is your practice and preference. Personally, I affix a lens hood to almost everything almost all the time these days. In many years, I've never shattered a lens or severely damaged one. But in the days using film, a Skylight filter or UV filter was often used for a specific reason. For example, I felt that a Skylight filter often enriched the green areas of an image, like trees or grass. Otherwise, I didn't use them. The lens is a nice small size for an f2.8 with 100mm reach. Just great to use as a short(er) telephoto lens. I hope you'll enjoy it!

11-20-2023, 08:44 AM	#11
wildlybored Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Location: Hendersonville NC Photos: Albums Posts: 64	good find, I had to pay several times more for mine

11-20-2023, 09:31 AM	#12
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,680	Originally posted by dipo 1 picked up an SMC PENTAX - M F2.8 100mm for all of $10, outrageously good deal - well done!

11-20-2023, 09:59 AM	#13
EssJayEff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: near Saxapahaw, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 881	Congratulations, Dipo! A handful of years ago I came across a Pentax 67 camera with some lenses in a yard sale. Problem was, the seller knew what he had and there was no wiggle room with pricing, so I passed.

11-21-2023, 08:03 AM	#15
AnotherVoice Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 80	I have a K-5 and also upgraded to the K=3iii. Massive upgrade!

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