Filters on your M9

[d2mini]

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For those of you using filters for creative purposes (ND, Polorazier, etc) what have you found is the best solution on your M9? Are you using something specifically made for/by leica? Or any old filter you please? One size with step down rings for different lenses? Non-threaded types that use adaptors or frames like those from Lee for instance?

 

I could definitely use some ND filters to start and would rather only buy once. Advice appreciated.

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[jaapv]

Each lens its own appropriate filter, be it 007, ND or whatever. Usually B&W. No fiddling with rings, there is no need.

[Mauribix]

UV: Leica or B+W

ND: Heliopan

polar: Leica (but I actually don't use a polar)

 

That's what I use for my lenses, and I'm ok.

[d2mini]

Each lens its own appropriate filter, be it 007, ND or whatever. Usually B&W. No fiddling with rings, there is no need.

 

Right, but let's say you have 5 lenses. You would need a full set of filters for each lens that has a different size. As of right now I only have two lenses but each one is a different size. This already would double the amount of filters I would need to carry with me.

[rickp13]

i don't use either a polarizer (a Hoya "Moose" filter with 81A warming effect) or the B&W 092 IR filter very much (yet), so have both in 77mm size to cover several lenses. the pol filter was left over from nikon days anyhow.

 

i have a heliopan nr 380 step-up ring (for leica, with cutouts so you can see the polarizing effect) from 60-77mm, and a plain no-name 58-77 step-up ring. those two rings cover 3 out of 4 lenses and, because of the 77mm filter size, there are no vignetting issues.

 

you could call this the "occasional use" solution.

 

greetings from hamburg

 

rick

[jaapv]

Right, but let's say you have 5 lenses. You would need a full set of filters for each lens that has a different size. As of right now I only have two lenses but each one is a different size. This already would double the amount of filters I would need to carry with me.

I don't use filters that much. A full set of filters is not something I would carry with me. Maybe a 007 in adverse conditions, usually I rely on the lens hood and lens caps, an ND filter for 1 or 2 Summiluxes, and Leica's little round box for the universal polfilter if the weather is right. In that case it doubles for ND too. That is about the maximum one would need. I have more filters in my cupboard than in my camera bag.

[Bill W]

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I only use uv filters on my 6 lens array. I sold my uv/ir filters as a package on ebay. Since I had received 4 of them for free with my original M8 and then M8.2 I had little invested in them. I use my Leica pola setup for landscapes.

[lars_bergquist]

Most current Leica lenses (and also most older ones) use either E46 (M46x0.75mm thread) or E39 (M39x0.5). So apart from filters used for simple mechanical protection, on lenses with collapsible hoods and no hood caps, you need only two, or even one, depending on which lenses you own.

 

I do use a polariser occasionally. These are plain linear B+W Käsemann type filters, where I have marked the rotating ring to indicate direction of polarisation. This works very well -- no need to look through the filter.

 

But the new screw-in hoods are a real p.i.t.a. The fact that the v.2 35mm Summilux ASPH has one, did very nearly put me off it. 35mm is the focal length I mostly use a polariser with! But with some gnashing of teeth, I decided to continue to camp out on the sidewalk, because I expect it to be an exceptional lens.

 

The old man from the Age of the Yellow Filter

[msk2193]

I use Lee Filters.

[250swb]

I usually want to carry as little as possible, so take a 46mm B&W ND 8x and a 46 to 39 adapter. This covers most of my lenses. I don't use graduated ND or polarising filters or any other effect filters.

 

Steve

[Viv]

I just ordered the Lee set. One filter holder, two adaptor rings ( 43 and 46 mm), three ND graduated filters, one circular polariser.

[microview]

When I bought a used Summcron 35 v4 I was given a 39mm Leitz UV filter by way of protection (previous owner had lost lens cap). I purchased the appropriate lens hood/end cap.

Under what circumstances would I use UV filter to take pics? Forgive my asking such a basic question!

[andybarton]

All my lenses have UV filters on them as protection. I could show you a photo of the front element of my 19mm Elmarit-R to show what a sand storm can do for the coating...

 

Modern lenses (since the mid 60s, really) are highly effective at filtering UV without any further assistance, but, if you were at altitude particluarly, on a clear day, they can be useful for cutting through haze and reduce the blue cast that high UV levels can give (to film - probably sensors too)

[asfeir]

I use Cokin filter holder, adaptor rings, ND and graduated ND Series A. I understand not as good as Lee kits, but about 10 times cheaper.

[specpro]

What's the best way to avoid the internal reflections caused by the E46 UVa filter at night? Is it as simple as taking the filter off?

[jaapv]

Errr...Yes.

[bocaburger]

What's the best way to avoid the internal reflections caused by the E46 UVa filter at night? Is it as simple as taking the filter off?

 

Or get rid of the Leica UVa and put on a B+W MRC type. The a/r coatings are much better. Lay both filters flat and look at your reflection in them, you'll see what I mean. I never took one off even in the most challenging night shots and never got any reflections. In fact due to the high cost of replacing the UV/IR filters (M8) I still use the UV's on top. Despite all the caveats about stacking filters, I've yet to get a reflection or ghosting. Be careful when you buy because B+W also makes a non-MRC UV filter similar to Leica's which is only single coated. The MRC's are marked clearly as such.

[jaapv]

And the B&W 007 is even better...

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Hallo,

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[RoySmith]

And the B&W 007 is even better...

 

Photographers are pretty much equally divided when asked about using filters.

 

The non-filter users argue that any extra glass on the lens can degrade the image, and that a lens hood and being careful is enough to protect the lens.

 

The filter users want to protect their investment. If you are in this group use a top end filter to minimize any negative effect on the photograph. For protection a clear filter is best. Getting one in a thinner casing will minimize any vignetting the filter could cause. I agree with Andy that the B+W MRC 007 F-Pro Mount are excellent filters. The F-Pro Mount filters are thinner and can be used with lens up to 24mm on a FF sensor.

 

I am in the latter group.

 

Roy

[Shade]

Just UV Filters... nothing else.. somtimes ND8x when I need it.