Leica M Universal Polarizer

[chrisleica]

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I've just purchased a used one and should receive it soon.

 

Has anyone used this accessory ? Does it do the job ?

 

Thanks,

Chris

[UliWer]

...

 

Does it do the job ?

...

 

Good question after the purchase.

 

I think it does, and as it is the only polarizer which enables you safely to look for the effect before you take the photo, you don't have much alternatives for the M. You can only use it with lenses with 39, 46 and 49mm filter threads, so for instance not with a 90mm Summicron AA.

[chrisleica]

I managed to procure one at half the cost of a new one.

 

I will be taking some landscape shots during an upcoming vacation and wanted to emphasise blue skies without losing reflections of the water, for example.

 

Thanks for your feedback.

 

Chris

[beewee]

I thought about getting one of those a while back but discovered that it's easier to just use a regular filter. With the filter in front of your lens, just turn the filter and meter through the viewfinder. At the point where your meter gives you the slowest shutter speed, this is where the polarizer is removing most of the specular reflections. Works like a charm every time.

[Double Negative]

If you're going to want to use a polarizer with an M, this is probably the best way to do it. Sure, it's a little Rube Goldberg, but it works as well as can be expected. Naturally, the hardware is top notch.

 

Here's a recent review on John's site.

[bill]

it is the only polarizer which enables you safely to look for the effect before you take the photo, you don't have much alternatives for the M.

 

Um... not true... Step up to Steps

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[jaapv]

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I thought about getting one of those a while back but discovered that it's easier to just use a regular filter. With the filter in front of your lens, just turn the filter and meter through the viewfinder. At the point where your meter gives you the slowest shutter speed, this is where the polarizer is removing most of the specular reflections. Works like a charm every time.

That is on the supposition that you want to use the full polarizer effect all the time. One of the nice things of a polarizer is that you can vary the effect.

Note that it is essential on the M8 that you do NOT remove the IR cut filter when using a polarizer.

[NB23]

That is on the supposition that you want to use the full polarizer effect all the time. One of the nice things of a polarizer is that you can vary the effect.

Note that it is essential on the M8 that you do NOT remove the IR cut filter when using a polarizer.

 

Beewee is absolutely right. And since the Pola works at 1/4 turns, you can simply fine-tune by turning it 1/8 and then at 1/4 and there you'll have just about the whole gamut of effects.

[jaapv]

Without seeing what you are doing. Nobody said Beewee was wrong.

[chrisleica]

Thanks folks.

 

I'll post some samples in due course.

 

Chris

[NB23]

Without seeing what you are doing. Nobody said Beewee was wrong.

 

Well, what was the point of bracketing, then?

[jaapv]

Where is bracketing mentioned?:confused: And what is the point of it indeed when looking through a filter at your subject?

[Tonysaurus]

Yes, please post your experiences in using it, Ive been wanting to get a polarizer for my M8.2 but this kit appears really bulky. Looking forward to it

[Pintpot]

Um... not true... Step up to Steps

 

Regards,

 

Bill

Also the Kenko viewer and filter set from Robert White

Kenko Polariser Viewers - Previewing Rangefinder Polaristaion | Robert White Photographic Ltd

I've just got one and will report when I've had a chance to use it

 

And Jaap thanks for the advice ref. IR cut filter:D

[NB23]

Where is bracketing mentioned?:confused: And what is the point of it indeed when looking through a filter at your subject?

 

I don't understand your argumentation.

 

Look, if you want your shot to have the least reflexions possible, then rotate the filter until the meter shows the lowest reading. It doesn't take a super mind to imagine the scene without reflexions and better contrast.

Then, if you think you'd prefer the image with reflexions or how it naturally looks to your eyes, simply rotate the filter a quarter turn either way and take another shot.

 

This is bracketing in action.

 

Now, if you really insist on having that huge ugly filter protruding all over the place and pay a small fortune for it, you are free to do so. Chances are that, many times, you'll still bracket as this is the nature of a circular Polarizer and Digital shooting.

[bocaburger]

Note that it is essential on the M8 that you do NOT remove the IR cut filter when using a polarizer.

 

Yes, which negates using the nice, small earlier version of the swing-out polarizer, because it's made to clamp on the lens front and won't attach securely where there's already a filter on the lens.

 

I have the Universal polarizer, and confess I used it for a while but it's been sitting in my cupboard for a few years. Fiddling changing adapters is a pain. The case with all the fittings takes up as much bag space as a lens. And it can't be used on a lens shorter than 35mm (full frame, so I suppose a 28mm on the M8) or else the fixed hood vignettes.

 

Someone said it can't be used on a 90 Summicron. It can. Leica doesn't make an adapter but you can make one yourself as I did:

 

55-52 stepdown, add to it an empty (glassless) 52mm filter rim, add to that a Cokin "A" series 52mm adapter, which needs to be ground down peripherally to the same OD as the Leica adapters (where they fit into the polarizer).

 

So what have I been using as a polarizer on my M8? A Leica 14286 "vented" pola adapter, made originally for the 2nd-version MATE. It has e49 male threads and takes a 67mm pola filter. I have 39-46, 43-49 and 46-49 stepup rings which allow mating with my travel lenses.

[jaapv]

I don't understand your argumentation.

 

Look, if you want your shot to have the least reflexions possible, then rotate the filter until the meter shows the lowest reading. It doesn't take a super mind to imagine the scene without reflexions and better contrast.

Then, if you think you'd prefer the image with reflexions or how it naturally looks to your eyes, simply rotate the filter a quarter turn either way and take another shot.

 

This is bracketing in action.

 

Now, if you really insist on having that huge ugly filter protruding all over the place and pay a small fortune for it, you are free to do so. Chances are that, many times, you'll still bracket as this is the nature of a circular Polarizer and Digital shooting.

The universal filter is linear, not that that makes a difference. Btw, I tend to use my home-made verted step-up ring with a 77 mm filter which is easier to transport, and cost me 2.50 Euro to make.

 

I like to look through the filter, rotate to taste and take the shot. hardly earth-shattering, I would say. If you want to do it your way, fine, it works as well, but I don't fancy bracketing each shot, as it only works with static subjects and increases my work on the computer. Each to his own, <shrug>.

[MikeMyers]

I thought about getting one of those a while back but discovered that it's easier to just use a regular filter. With the filter in front of your lens, just turn the filter and meter through the viewfinder. At the point where your meter gives you the slowest shutter speed, this is where the polarizer is removing most of the specular reflections. Works like a charm every time.

 

 

Beewee, I'm not concerned with all the other stuff - your solution is ingenious! I've got an M8.2, and I've got a couple of polarizing filters from what, 40 years ago, and I want to use it for the same reason as you. I resorted to just holding it in front of the lens, but your solution is perfect! Thank you!!

[01af]

Beewee, I'm not concerned with all the other stuff—your solution is ingenious! I've got an M8.2, and I've got a couple of polarizing filters from what, 40 years ago, and I want to use it for the same reason as you. I resorted to just holding it in front of the lens, but your solution is perfect! Thank you!!

Beewee's solution will work most of the time but not always. If you own more than one polarizer then there's a better—umm, or let's say, another—solution for the use on rangefinder cameras.

 

Look through the polarizer against the light at an angle upon a smooth, shiny plane which is oriented perfectly horizontal—e. g. a window sill or a table's surface. Rotate the polarizer until the reflections off the horizontal surface are minimized. Now put a mark on the polarizer's rim at the 12 o'clock position. Repeat with all your polarizers.

 

When shooting, put one polarizer on the lens and have another handy. Look through the the polarizer in your hand, rotate to taste, and note the mark's position. Rotate the mark of the polarizer on the lens to the same position, and shoot.

 

Note: When using a circular polarizer for looking then mind the direction! Always look through it from behind—i. e. the same direction as the lens would. With a linear polarizer, the direction doesn't matter.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[jaapv]

Heliopan polarizers have a scale on the side of the filter, aiding when using this system.