Super Elmar 21mm with Lee RF 75 filter system

[mrjrd]

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Hello out there. Has anybody tried using the Lee polariser and/or graduated filters with this lens?

[kokoshawnuff]

The polarization effect will be uneven on the SEM as with any other 21mm, but depending on your intended use it could work to reduce some reflection. Though if you are hoping to create deep blue skies over a landscape scene, only part of the sky will be dark and the other will be normal.

[mrjrd]

Would the use of a polariser on wet days to reduce glare and reflection also be uneven at this focal length?

 

I also wonder about using the filter holder successfullywhen the lens manual suggests using the lens hood at all times.

[Guest camera man]

Leica do say that you can use the universal pola on this lens. On the elmarit the pola was indeed patchy.

[Mike51]

I have this lens and the RF 75 filter system. I agree with the other posters' caveats over using the polariser with such a wide lens. Having said that, using the Lee soft graduated filters with this lens is quite straight forward - the main thing to master is using the graduation markings on the holder to get the correct positioning of the filter. Because of the smaller size of these filters, the 'soft' graduations of the filters look quite hard to the naked eye - making the need to position accurately feel more daunting than it actually is.

 

Removing the lens hood does not cause any IQ problems, so long as you pay attention to your technique.

 

I have an M240 on order (M9P at present) - one of the selling points for me was the attraction of live view for working with this Lee filter system.

 

Mike

[mrjrd]

Thank you for all your helpful replies. I have been using my M9P for two years now and very much enjoyed the change from dslr style. I would like to think that my photographic knowledge and technique ave both improved tremendously. However I do miss some aspects of my canon kit useability (if not the endless custom functions. I am just beginning to experiment with the RF75 filter system. Any more good advice gratefully accepted.

[Mike51]

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Just another thought on the Lee RF 75 filter system that I hope might be helpful.

 

I recently got the 'Big Stopper' that Lee have brought out for this system. However, if you haven't already got this filter, be aware that the RF 75 holder is not an optimal fit for the Big Stopper. There may be some light leakage. Nevertheless, Lee have brought out the less expensive 'Seven5' holder which is designed to be compatible with this filter.

 

Having said that, and having used the Big Stopper with the RF 75 holder, I don't appear to have any light leakage problems....but I want to do further tests. Furthermore, I was aware before I purchased the Big Stopper that there might be compatability issues and so I concocted a Heath Robinson solution that I'll keep as a back-up. It's simply that I've made a felt ring (think of a 'washer' design) that is stuck to the outer surface of the stepping-up ring. The felt pushes against the Big Stopper and provides total blockage of light.

 

Mike.

[mrjrd]

Thank you Mike, I will be very interested to know what your conclusion is.