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Can color indicate quality lens coatings?

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tpcollins View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tpcollins Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Can color indicate quality lens coatings?
    Posted: February/14/2009 at 07:13
I have both Swarovski and Lieca bins, a Stokes Sandpiper, and a new Elite 4200 rifle scope. When I look at these, I can see tints of green and even pink spots in the glass (the Sandpiper's entire lens has a greenish tint because it's easier to see, the Leica 8x20 compact has pink spots only). I remember seeing optics with bluish tints but can't remember if they were expensive/inexpensive. Is there a way to indicate quality of lens coatings by the color?   
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2009 at 13:30
Originally posted by tpcollins tpcollins wrote:

Is there a way to indicate quality of lens coatings by the color?   
No.
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RifleDude View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2009 at 13:49
In some cases, YES!  If you see a lens coating that is reflective, bright ruby red, it is on a low quality optic.  I'm not talking about a coating with a reddish tint when you look closely at certain angles, I'm talking about the prominent bright red coatings often seen on really cheap binos and scopes.  Also, if you look directly at a lens surface and can readily see your reflection, it is indicative of low quality coatings, because that means that a high percentage of light will be reflected off the lens surface rather than be transmitted through the lens.
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tpcollins View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tpcollins Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2009 at 17:51
Is there a difference between just seeing your silhouette versus being able to shave?
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trigger29 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trigger29 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/14/2009 at 18:54
I agree with Luxnik, and Rifledude. You can not allow color alone to tell you the quality of the coatings, as every company's process is different. Although if you see red, and they are marketed as having "ruby coated lenses" RUN!! These will usually be accompanied by a price tag that you usually don't see on Leica, or Swaro products. As to your last question, I would say that being able to shave isn't a good sign. A good image coming back means there is a lot of light being reflected. That means that light isn't going to your eye.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HOLLOWPOINT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2009 at 06:24
It is NOT possible to judge the quality of lens coatings by the appearance of light reflections on the lens surface.
 
A single bluish reflection of a light source indicates a single layer coating on that lens.
 
Two or more differently colored (greenish/yellowish) reflections indicates a multi-coated lens.
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