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MP with ND and universal polarizer filter Questions


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Hi everyone, new to the forum though have been stalking for some time.

 

About 2 years ago I started shooting film and developing at home. I'm completely addicted, I find the darkroom and the whole film process so fun.

 

I'm getting to a point where I want to start experimenting with different filters.

 

My initial film camera was an M3 with a 50 DR cron and 90 cron (big version), now I'm on an MP with 50 lux asph. (e46) 35 cron asph. (e39) and a 90 cron pre-asph. (e55) It's been a joy to use this new set up, but also frustrating as I don't find myself using the lenses wide open as often as I would like.

 

Hence my filter consideration.

 

From research it seems practical to pick up a variable ND filter. Heliopan makes a 55mm filter with which I could use step down rings to fit all my lenses.

 

However, if I'm going to spend a bunch of money on filters, I want to have all options/combinations covered.

 

So, considering a polarizer, I'd like to get the Leica swing-out version. (looked at the Lee Filters, but it just seems too much, aesthetically and in application). I know that the Leica polarizer won't work on my 90/2 and will on the 35/2 and 50/1.4, I'm ok with that as the 90mm, for me, is mostly for portraits.

 

I guess my question is this, if I purchase the Heliopan 55 variable ND and the Universal Polarizer, could I use them together on my 35/2 and 50/1.4? The way I'm figuring this could be done is by putting step-up rings on my lens (35 or 50), screw in the ND filter, then use a step down ring (55 to 46 or 39) to screw in the polarizer. It'll probably look crazy but I'm more curious about whether it'll work.

 

Perhaps the polarizing filter will be too far away from the viewfinder to accurately adjust the polarizing effect (because of the extra stack)?

 

Currently, I have UVa filters on all my lenses for protection, so if I keep them on the stack will be even bigger and perhaps cause internal reflections or vignetting?

 

All advice is appreciated. I haven't bought anything yet, just doing research, so all recommended filter brands, optimal sizes, alternatives, etc. are welcome.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

-Alex

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[...] my filter consideration.

 

From research it seems practical to pick up a variable ND filter. Heliopan makes a 55mm filter with which I could use step down rings to fit all my lenses.

 

So, considering a polarizer,

 

I guess my question is this, if I purchase the Heliopan 55 variable ND and the Universal Polarizer, could I use them together

 

Perhaps the polarizing filter will be too far away from the viewfinder to accurately adjust the polarizing effect (because of the extra stack)?

 

Stacking variable ND and a Polarizer is not a good idea. Unpredictable outcomes and vignetting are likely.

 

You might enjoy looking into Singh-Ray's Vari-N-Duo which is a variable ND and polarizer in one unit. It also warms the image slightly.

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Stacking variable ND and a Polarizer is not a good idea. Unpredictable outcomes and vignetting are likely.

 

You might enjoy looking into Singh-Ray's Vari-N-Duo which is a variable ND and polarizer in one unit. It also warms the image slightly.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm only finding the Singh-Ray's in 77mm which is pretty big and I would think that it would obstruct the view finder too much for my liking.

 

The reason I like the Leica one is because it's the only one I've found where you don't need to hold and adjust off lens before mounting with the right polarization adjustment. I'm also not 100% certain that I'll be using ND and Polarization filters together all that much, but it'd be nice to play around with it, just wondering if anyone out there has had personal experience (specifically in terms of stack of filters creating vignetting).

 

Cheers

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Thanks for the reply. I'm only finding the Singh-Ray's in 77mm which is pretty big and I would think that it would obstruct the view finder too much for my liking.

 

Suit yourself.

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