On Wed, 30 Oct 2002 01:21:36 -0500, Stacey wrote:
>On Tue, 29 Oct 2002 13:33:16 -0800 (PST), bigrocketman3@webtv.net
>(Steve McDonald) wrote:

>> I said that UV/Haze filters can give a slight optical advantage in
>>some circumstances. I can see these small improvements in longshots
>>through light smoke and fog, even if you can't.

>A UV filter (or any filter, lens, sensor etc) can't change the
>apearance of any image through smoke or fog. There are suspended
>particles betwen you and the object and no optical "tricks" can remove
>them.
>Stacey

Actually, a change in the sensor can help - using infrared
sensitive film, or removing the IR-blocking filter from
a CCD (Sony "nightshot"...) does allow a "clearer" view
through atmospheric obstructions than is otherwise possible.
I shoot IR video for fun occasionally, and the effect on
distant subjects or on skies is quite noticeable (when
the sky appears to be a smooth-toned overcast, with IR
you can often see distinct clouds, for instance). For some
daylight IR examples (without the "normal" comparison
images, though...), see: www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/ir.htm.
With IR, filters can "sharpen" the effect by removing
the normal-color range from the image. Even a dark yellow
filter can help, with orange, red, and no.87 IR filters
giving progressively stronger IR effects - and adding a
polarizer is also useful for further darkening clear
skies...