Leica Universal Polarizer, M8 and wide lenses?

[gurtch]

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I used to have one of these. Sold it when I went 100% digital. I now have an M8. I tried using the "Filter View" and 77mm polarizer. Useless to me. I could not judge the polarizer effect through the narrow slot in the filter holder. Has anyone used the swing out Universal polarizer with an M8 and wide lenses? I have 21mm, 24 and 28mm lenses, and was wondering if the filter and built in shade vignettes with these lenses. I also have 35mm and 50mm lenses, but these should not be a problem

Thanks in advance

Dave

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[jaapv]

You have to stack your polarizer with an IR filter, as a polfilter actually enhances IR contamination.

[robsteve]

Was there a 55mm ring for the universal polarizer? mine just has 39mm, 46mm and 49mm rings.

[chetccox]

You have to stack your polarizer with an IR filter, as a polfilter actually enhances IR contamination.

 

If one normally has no filter at all and has IR contamination, how is it possible to add something to the lens (the polarizer, which if anything gets rid of at least some light rays) and have more IR contamination. I would agree that you need both the polarizer and the IR filter, but I do not think the polarizer can increase IR.

[cbretteville]

Was there a 55mm ring for the universal polarizer? mine just has 39mm, 46mm and 49mm rings.

 

You have the full set.

 

. Carl

[cbretteville]

You have to stack your polarizer with an IR filter, as a polfilter actually enhances IR contamination.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but how does that work?

 

- Cael

[jaapv]

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If one normally has no filter at all and has IR contamination, how is it possible to add something to the lens (the polarizer, which if anything gets rid of at least some light rays) and have more IR contamination. I would agree that you need both the polarizer and the IR filter, but I do not think the polarizer can increase IR.

 

 

polarized light is filtered out, cutting visible light intensity in half, hence the increase in exposure. IR is less or not affected by the polfilter, so the sensor receives relatively a double amount of IR. So you are right it does not increase the amount of IR, but it reduces the amount of visible light, which when exposing correctly amounts to the same thing.

[robsteve]

I took a look at my universal Polarizer and it will not fit on lenses taking 55mm filters even if there was an adapter. This probably limits its use to the 28mm and longer lenses.

[jaapv]

Of course using a polfilter on wider lenses induces a colour gradient in the sky, as the angle of view changes too much across the photo. So it makes some kind of sense not to provide for that possibility. Otoh, the Tri-Elmar long first version has a 55 mm filter size as well.

[gurtch]

Of course using a polfilter on wider lenses induces a colour gradient in the sky, as the angle of view changes too much across the photo. So it makes some kind of sense not to provide for that possibility. Otoh, the Tri-Elmar long first version has a 55 mm filter size as well.

 

My 24mm Leica ASPH has 55mm filter threads, and I was hoping to be able to use the Universal polarizer with that lens. My 21mm Zeiss ZM has 46mm threads and I also want to use it with that lens. With the 1.33 crop (28mm equivalent), I think the 21mm should polarize OK with out too great a difference in the sky darkening. With a blue sky and lots of clouds, I use my 17~40mm lens set at 17mm on my 1DSII, using a polarizer, and it works great. I have a 20"x30" hanging of it. It is here:

http://www.modernpictorials.com/D209B%2072dpi%20.jpg

 

Thanks for the advice all...

Dave in NJ

[cbretteville]

polarized light is filtered out, cutting visible light intensity in half, hence the increase in exposure. IR is less or not affected by the polfilter, so the sensor receives relatively a double amount of IR.

 

Thanks for clearing that up, learn something on this forum every day.

 

- Carl

[woodyspedden]

Was there a 55mm ring for the universal polarizer? mine just has 39mm, 46mm and 49mm rings.

 

Robert

 

The filter view kit now contains a 55mm filter ring.

 

Woody Spedden

 

By the way, I agree that looking through the slot (slit) is not as ideal as a swing out approach such as the polarizer holder for the Mamiya 7II, but "useless." Can't agree with that one.

[gurtch]

The universal polarizer came today (bought used). It fits perfectly on my Zeiss 21mm lens that has 46mm threads. My gut feeling is it will not vignette because of the 1.33 crop factor. A bonus is that with the filter swung up it centers perfectly with the 21mm finder. You can look through the finder, rotate the filter and see exactly the effect, then rotate it down. I also just ordered from B&H a step up ring (43mm to 46mm) so I can use it on my ZM 35mm lens; and (taking a gamble here) a 55mm to 46mm step DOWN ring to see if I can use it on the Leica 24mm ASPH lens. This may not work, but it is worth the $6.95 gamble that the step down ring cost. I'll report results as soon as we get decent weather.

Dave