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Lee GND filters for 21mm summilux


Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

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Guys,

Anyone figure out a way to use either Lee or any brand GND filters on a 21mm summilux??..............I get mine (21mm Summilux) when I get off the rig next month:):):D

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Neil,

 

Check out the Lee RF-75 system about half way down this page. It has graduated lines on the holder to help line up the ND filter.

 

Assuming that you're using a digital M, the playback histogram is helpful as well, as is chimping until you get the look you're after.

 

Pete.

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS
Neil,

 

Check out the Lee RF-75 system about half way down this page. It has graduated lines on the holder to help line up the ND filter.

 

Assuming that you're using a digital M, the playback histogram is helpful as well, as is chimping until you get the look you're after.

 

Pete.

Pete I already have the RF75 system but I am lead to believe that this will not fit on the 21mm Summilux............I don’t get the lens until next month

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I also have the RF 75 system but no 21mm Summilux. AFAIK the lens has a thread on the ouside of the front of the lens barrel onto which the screw on hood mounts. I don't know if there is also an internal thread on the barrel. There is also an O ring to provide friction and a stop to make sure the hood is orientated correctly.

 

If there is no internal thread then it may be possible to have an adapter made for the RF 75 system which screws on in place of the hood. The diameter of the adapter flange which fits into the RF 75 mount is 74mm - if the diameter of the lens barrel is this or more then there could be a problem. If the lens barrel has an internal thread with a diameter less than or equal to 67mm then a standard adapter flange may be available or could be made. I understand the front lens element protrudes and is vulnerable unless the hood is mounted.

 

Let's see what others have to say.

 

Bob.

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I have a 21 summilux and use it a great deal ... its a fantastic lens. However, from the point of view of landscape photography, there is a problem in that you cannot attach filters (other than the Series VII? ones). So, the LEE RF75 filters for example just won't fit. The thread on the lens is an external one and there is no internal thread that you can use to attach normal filter/lens adapters.

 

I do have a solution though; I have purchased a spare lens hood from Leica which I modified so that it will now take a 67mm LEE lens adapter. Luckily I have a friend who owns a milling machine and so it was possible to make a nice job of it. Basically, it was necessary to mill down the front face of the metal lens hood and then fasten on a modified LEE adapter. That way I can now attach the RF75 system to this lens. Not a low cost option though, the spare lens hood from Leica cost me £205 ... ouch! I was very nervous when it went into the milling machine.

 

Without finding a DIY solution, I see no other way of attaching standard system filters (LEE/COKIN etc) to this lens. In my opinion, its worth the effort though as it really is a stunning lens.

 

As a side note to all of this, I have also just purchased a 100mm LEE BigStopper filter ... does anyone know how easy it is to cut one of these down to fit the RF75 system? Hopefully a standard glass or tile cutter will work???

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I have a 21 summilux and use it a great deal ... its a fantastic lens. However, from the point of view of landscape photography, there is a problem in that you cannot attach filters (other than the Series VII? ones). So, the LEE RF75 filters for example just won't fit. The thread on the lens is an external one and there is no internal thread that you can use to attach normal filter/lens adapters.

 

I do have a solution though; I have purchased a spare lens hood from Leica which I modified so that it will now take a 67mm LEE lens adapter. Luckily I have a friend who owns a milling machine and so it was possible to make a nice job of it. Basically, it was necessary to mill down the front face of the metal lens hood and then fasten on a modified LEE adapter. That way I can now attach the RF75 system to this lens. Not a low cost option though, the spare lens hood from Leica cost me £205 ... ouch! I was very nervous when it went into the milling machine.

 

Without finding a DIY solution, I see no other way of attaching standard system filters (LEE/COKIN etc) to this lens. In my opinion, its worth the effort though as it really is a stunning lens.

 

As a side note to all of this, I have also just purchased a 100mm LEE BigStopper filter ... does anyone know how easy it is to cut one of these down to fit the RF75 system? Hopefully a standard glass or tile cutter will work???

 

A Leica E82 Filter Adapter will allow you to mount 82mm filters to the 21 Summilux lens.

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS
I have a 21 summilux and use it a great deal ... its a fantastic lens. However, from the point of view of landscape photography, there is a problem in that you cannot attach filters (other than the Series VII? ones). So, the LEE RF75 filters for example just won't fit. The thread on the lens is an external one and there is no internal thread that you can use to attach normal filter/lens adapters.

 

I do have a solution though; I have purchased a spare lens hood from Leica which I modified so that it will now take a 67mm LEE lens adapter. Luckily I have a friend who owns a milling machine and so it was possible to make a nice job of it. Basically, it was necessary to mill down the front face of the metal lens hood and then fasten on a modified LEE adapter. That way I can now attach the RF75 system to this lens. Not a low cost option though, the spare lens hood from Leica cost me £205 ... ouch! I was very nervous when it went into the milling machine.

 

Without finding a DIY solution, I see no other way of attaching standard system filters (LEE/COKIN etc) to this lens. In my opinion, its worth the effort though as it really is a stunning lens.

 

As a side note to all of this, I have also just purchased a 100mm LEE BigStopper filter ... does anyone know how easy it is to cut one of these down to fit the RF75 system? Hopefully a standard glass or tile cutter will work???

I have also been thinking of ways to modify something so that I can use my GND Lee filters with this lens, and your option sounds great …………do you have any pictures of this modification?

I was thinking that if I am shooting landscape with a tripod I could just set the timer on the M-9 to 12 sec and just hold a 77mm GND filter at the last minute up against the lens hood but I could only do that if I was using a tripod, I was also thinking of getting the E82 holder and welding one of my spare RF-75 rings to it and then use my RF75 system but until the lens arrives in 3 weeks time I won’t know if that is possible…………it’s a pity Lee don’t just come up with a holder for it like they did for my Nikon 14/24mm

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I wen't around in circles trying to think of different ways to get a grad filter to work with this lens ... holding things in front like you say. But its not really very practical and when you start using long exposures its a real pain. My homemade solution seems to be OK. I will take a shot of the set-up and post it on the forum for you to see.

 

Its all a bit crazy really. If there was only a standard filter thread on the front of the lens it wouldn't be a problem. I suppose filters and tripods etc aren't very 'M'. Still a great lens and one that I would not consider exchanging for an alternative.

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Well jdlaing ... that's a new one on me! I searched high and low for something like that, talked to my Leica rep and all sorts but never found that handy E82 filter adapter. I suppose the Formatt 82mm grad filter has its gradation fixed dead centre but it would cost a lot less than my solution and do just about the same. Good one!

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

With shipping to Malaysia its about 280 bucks, I guess I need to order it but I will wait and see what IPS rig up looks like before I make my mind up

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I'm assuming you're shooting a landscape, or something similar and that you are using a tripod, in which case why not just hold the GND filter against the lens whilst taking the shot. You can use the LCD to check the effect.

 

This is how I do it now and again, as it is quick and easier than setting up a filter holder etc.

 

You could use tape or another sticky substance, for example Blu-Tack, not glue :rolleyes: to hold it steady for a long exposure.

 

Just my thoughts.

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

I will wait and see the pictures of IPS set up first and make my mind up then. I have also used the holding a filter in front of the lens without any issues and for extra long exposures bluetac would probley do the trick

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  • 3 weeks later...

Finally got around to taking some pictures of my modified 21Lux lens shade ... complete with LEE RF75 filters attached. Sorry its taken me a while ... and apologies for the poor (iPad) photos but it gives you the idea.

 

 

 

Hope that helps.

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS
Finally got around to taking some pictures of my modified 21Lux lens shade ... complete with LEE RF75 filters attached. Sorry its taken me a while ... and apologies for the poor (iPad) photos but it gives you the idea.

 

 

 

Hope that helps.

WOW..........looks just fantastic, I will make some inquiries in Malaysia and see if I can do a similar job there
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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

I just bought a new Lens hood from the US and will have a friend in Malaysia do simalar to IPS and then I will be able to use my RF75 Lee Filters :):)

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