A couple of questions about ND filters

[danlindberg]

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I have not used nd filters with the M9 or Leica glass yet and wonder what brand/model is the very best optically? Which one would degrade the Leica glass the least?

 

Is it also so, that the more dense the nd filter is, the more it degrades the overall quality of the image? I was hoping to get somewhere around 6 stops and still finding a solution for maintaining the magic of Leica glass quality - is this possible?

 

What are you using?

 

Edit: maybe I should also say that I would be using nd filters for a 24/3.8 Elmar and a 50/2 Summicron.

[tobey bilek]

Multicoated Heliopan or B+W

 

The 24 may require a thin one and the 50 should be able to use it but not require it if

they are the same size.

 

All filters degrade the image to some extent.

[danlindberg]

Thanks Tobey!

 

Would you happen to know if more dense filters degrade more?

[earleygallery]

All filters degrade the image to some extent.

 

Not that you'd actually notice any difference however. Hand holding a camera can also degrade the image, as can pollution in the atmosphere.

[RobertJRB]

I use a 77mm Light Craft Workshop fader ND filter. Its a variable ND filter with goes from ND2 till ND400 (about 8 stops) for about 100 euro.

 

I had to pick the 77mm size because of the 18/3.8 super elmar. But they also have smaller size filters.

 

There is a max to the stops you can use. Above some level there is a big cross in the picture. Until this point the filters works fine. The max level depents on the lens. A wide angle gets it sooner than a standard lens.

 

I don't have the filterring for the 18mm, and for my 28 summicron the filter is a bit to big, so I use it by holding it in front of the camera.

Only downside I notice is some vignetting when I don't have the filter right in front of the lens.

 

Some examples:

 

 

 

Both from tripod, ND8 till ND 16 (3 to 4 stops), 18 Super Elmar ASPH and M8 (approx. 24mm)

 

On one picture you can see I did not hold the filter good in front of the camera, but it was about -10 celcius so I have a good excuse

 

Big advantage for me, being new to ND filters, was the possibility to try out the different ND's within only one filter.

Also, when on travel, only having one filter is great. No need to switch, but just give the filter a sweep and youre good to go.

 

This filter however is 2 Pola's stuck together. So there is some Pola effect in the pictures. Most of the time I can't get bothered with it. Nevertheless, when I know what ND I use most, I will buy a B+W ND with it. Also since they have a big stopper from 10 stops.

I don't really notice colorcast, but I shoot mostly B/W so that can be the difference.

[iShutterbug]

I have not used nd filters with the M9 or Leica glass yet and wonder what brand/model is the very best optically? Which one would degrade the Leica glass the least?

 

Is it also so, that the more dense the nd filter is, the more it degrades the overall quality of the image? I was hoping to get somewhere around 6 stops and still finding a solution for maintaining the magic of Leica glass quality - is this possible?

 

What are you using?

 

Edit: maybe I should also say that I would be using nd filters for a 24/3.8 Elmar and a 50/2 Summicron.

I recommend these with a step-up ring:

Singh-Ray Vari-ND

I got the Vari-N-Duo (with warming filter) for myself this Christmas (on eBay) because I (1) have f/1.2 lenses and need to slow them down in bright daylight, (2) ditto in crowded piazzas to make crowds disappear, and (3) greatly increase exposure time to slow down running water and clouds to make them look "liquid" in landscape scenes.

 

This gives me more "arrows" in my photographic quiver, so to speak.

 

Yes any filter will "degrade" slightly and especially to the degree it's not clean and shaded. That's why I think spending a little more and getting what you want in one single filter is better than stacking them.

 

Don

[01af]

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Multicoated Heliopan or B+W.

That's my suggestion, too. Both Heliopan and B+W use brass for the rims (as opposed to plastic or aluminum) and Schott glass to make their filters which is considered the best.

 

However dense ND filters and multicoating don't go together. Don't aks me why; I don't know. Anyway, multicoated ND filters are available only up to a maximum density of ND 0.9 (i. e. three stops); anything denser will come uncoated.

 

The density won't affect image quality directly; only the lack of coating in the denser filters possibly might. Use your lens hoods!

[danlindberg]

Thanks for suggestions. I am starting with a 6 stop B&W which is easy to find and reasonable price. I suppose the smartest thing is to buy the larger size and then a couple of stepdownrings...

[tobey bilek]

Stronger does not degrade more. Just having the glass there degrades the image.

 

The degradation is small , but there.

 

Step rings are fine for SLR, but they prevent the use of lens shades and may block the viewfinder of a Leica.

 

I buy to fit the lens and remember the smaller ones are cheaper.

 

.6 will be a two stop filter.

[RobertJRB]

Thanks for suggestions. I am starting with a 6 stop B&W which is easy to find and reasonable price. I suppose the smartest thing is to buy the larger size and then a couple of stepdownrings...

 

Today I ordered some B+W ND's in smaller size since my 77mm variable ND is far to big for my other lenses.

I noticed that all the shops I know only have the 101, 102 and 103 in the leica's E39 and E46. The 106 and 110 do exist in those sizes according to the B+W website, but no store in Holland even sells them.

With size 106 did you get? And from with website?

[01af]

I noticed that all the shops I know only have the 101, 102 and 103 in the Leica's E39 and E46. The 106 and 110 do exist in those sizes according to the B+W website, but no store in Holland even sells them.

Virtually everywhere you will get neutral-density filters denser than ND 0.9 only upon special request. I have no idea why 'danlindberg' thinks 6-stop ND filters were easy to find. Visit Herzlich willkommen bei Heliopan Lichtfilter-Technik! and order from them directly if you don't find any dealer able to sell you ND 1.8 or ND 3.0 filters.

[michali]

I've only ever used B+W filters with my Leicas and with my Contax cameras & Zeiss lenses from my SLR days.

 

This is an ongoing debate I have with a friend of mine who has no hesitation buying expensive lenses and he then tries to skimp by sticking an inferior filter on the front.... Talk about image degradation........

 

In my experience I've found B+W filters are the best, as mentioned above they use very high quality glass. They're not always that readily available. I've bought from B&H NYC in the past, who more often than not seem to have them in stock. However I felt that they ripped me off on the shipping costs, over $80- USA to Europe, the shipping cost was just about as much as 2 filters???

 

I recently bought a batch of B+W ND filters for my fast M lenses from Robert White in the UK, they weren't in stock however they promptly ordered them for me and the filters arrived 3 weeks later. IMO it's worth the wait.

[johnwolf]

I use B+W NDs on my M9. I shoot mostly black and white, so I admit I'm not that critical about precise color. I tried some cheaper brands but there was always a strong magenta color shift.

 

I've got two filters -- a 3-stop and a 6-stop, which gives some flexibility. The picture below is with the two stacked. Mine are not the thin versions, but there is no vignetting with 35, 50, or 90mm lenses. I use 52mm filters with step-up rings.

 

John

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[masjah]

Another vote for Robert White for supply of B+W filters - they are immensely helpful, and I have direct experience that their after-sales service is excellent.