Ultra-thin coatings on glass surfaces — reduce reflections, increase contrast, influence flare behavior.
Each glass surface reflects approximately 4% of the light. A lens with 12 glass elements (24 surfaces) would lose almost half of the light through reflections without coating. Modern multi-coating technology reduces this to less than 0.2% per surface.
Vintage vs. Modern
Older lenses (pre-1970) have single-coating or no coating at all — they flare more, have less contrast, but a "warm" look. Modern lenses with multi-coating are more contrasty and flare-resistant, but can appear clinical.
De-Coating as a Trend
Some manufacturers consciously offer partially de-coated lenses (e.g., Tribe7 Blackwing7 "Tuned" versions) to combine vintage character with modern mechanics.
Related terms
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Linsenvergütung (Coating)"?