Newer lens multi-coatings better than the old ones?

voltraizer · 11-20-2009, 04:33 PM

Is there a difference between coatings done for newer lens and lens made for films (say those bought or made in early 2000)? & what about ghosting and flares?-- someone told me-- ghosting inside digital sensors are caused not by front elements but inside reflection due to incompatibilty between films lens and dgital sensors? is this true?

**monochrome** · 11-20-2009, 05:07 PM

Originally posted by voltraizer

Is there a difference between coatings done for newer lens and lens made for films (say those bought or made in early 2000)? & what about ghosting and flares?-- someone told me-- ghosting inside digital sensors are caused not by front elements but inside reflection due to incompatibilty between films lens and dgital sensors? is this true?

Digital sensors have a glossy finish - film is more of a matte finish. Under certain conditions light reflects off the glossy sensor onto the rear lens element of some lenses causing a green ghost image. Film didn't cause that reflection.

Modern "digital optimized" lenses are supposed to have a coating on the rear element to reduce/eliminate this effect.

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-21-2009, 09:18 PM

As monochrome says, Yes, sort of.

Many of us use older lenses quite happily. I'm not running the oldest lenses in this forum by a long shot, but my M 400/5.6 and M 100/4 macro are about 30 years old. Others use 50 year old M42 lenses (with single or even no coating), who are also happy with the results.

Adam · 11-21-2009, 09:32 PM

The SMC coating found on all K-mount lenses is great - far better than that of many competitors.

However, although this isn't really advertised, many new lenses have a ghostless coating, which reduces flare even further. This coating is found on FA* and higher-end DA lenses.
Weather-resistant lenses also feature a special coating which protects them from dust.

M42 lenses without SMC in their names have older coatings that aren't quite as effective as SMC, or even no coating, as canada rockies said.
In the past, pentax also produced budget lenses without coating.

11-20-2009, 04:33 PM	#1
voltraizer New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4	Newer lens multi-coatings better than the old ones? Is there a difference between coatings done for newer lens and lens made for films (say those bought or made in early 2000)? & what about ghosting and flares?-- someone told me-- ghosting inside digital sensors are caused not by front elements but inside reflection due to incompatibilty between films lens and dgital sensors? is this true?

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11-20-2009, 05:07 PM	#2
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by voltraizer Is there a difference between coatings done for newer lens and lens made for films (say those bought or made in early 2000)? & what about ghosting and flares?-- someone told me-- ghosting inside digital sensors are caused not by front elements but inside reflection due to incompatibilty between films lens and dgital sensors? is this true? Digital sensors have a glossy finish - film is more of a matte finish. Under certain conditions light reflects off the glossy sensor onto the rear lens element of some lenses causing a green ghost image. Film didn't cause that reflection. Modern "digital optimized" lenses are supposed to have a coating on the rear element to reduce/eliminate this effect.

11-21-2009, 09:18 PM	#3
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	As monochrome says, Yes, sort of. Many of us use older lenses quite happily. I'm not running the oldest lenses in this forum by a long shot, but my M 400/5.6 and M 100/4 macro are about 30 years old. Others use 50 year old M42 lenses (with single or even no coating), who are also happy with the results.

11-21-2009, 09:32 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	The SMC coating found on all K-mount lenses is great - far better than that of many competitors. However, although this isn't really advertised, many new lenses have a ghostless coating, which reduces flare even further. This coating is found on FA* and higher-end DA lenses. Weather-resistant lenses also feature a special coating which protects them from dust. M42 lenses without SMC in their names have older coatings that aren't quite as effective as SMC, or even no coating, as canada rockies said. In the past, pentax also produced budget lenses without coating.