MP with ND and universal polarizer filter

[ruskiantonov]

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Hi everyone, new to the forum though have been stalking for some time.

 

About 2 years ago I started shooting film and developing at home. I'm completely addicted, I find the darkroom and the whole film process so fun.

 

I'm getting to a point where I want to start experimenting with different filters.

 

My initial film camera was an M3 with a 50 DR cron and 90 cron (big version), now I'm on an MP with 50 lux asph. (e46) 35 cron asph. (e39) and a 90 cron pre-asph. (e55) It's been a joy to use this new set up, but also frustrating as I don't find myself using the lenses wide open as often as I would like.

 

Hence my filter consideration.

 

From research it seems practical to pick up a variable ND filter. Heliopan makes a 55mm filter with which I could use step down rings to fit all my lenses.

 

However, if I'm going to spend a bunch of money on filters, I want to have all options/combinations covered.

 

So, considering a polarizer, I'd like to get the Leica swing-out version. (looked at the Lee Filters, but it just seems too much, aesthetically and in application). I know that the Leica polarizer won't work on my 90/2 and will on the 35/2 and 50/1.4, I'm ok with that as the 90mm, for me, is mostly for portraits.

 

I guess my question is this, if I purchase the Heliopan 55 variable ND and the Universal Polarizer, could I use them together on my 35/2 and 50/1.4? The way I'm figuring this could be done is by putting step-up rings on my lens (35 or 50), screw in the ND filter, then use a step down ring (55 to 46 or 39) to screw in the polarizer. It'll probably look crazy but I'm more curious about whether it'll work.

 

Perhaps the polarizing filter will be too far away from the viewfinder to accurately adjust the polarizing effect (because of the extra stack)?

 

Currently, I have UVa filters on all my lenses for protection, so if I keep them on the stack will be even bigger and perhaps cause internal reflections or vignetting?

 

All advice is appreciated. I haven't bought anything yet, just doing research, so all recommended filter brands, optimal sizes, alternatives, etc. are welcome.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

-Alex

[madNbad]

The Leica 13356 swing out polarizer includes adapter plates for 39mm and 46mm filter threads. I believe a 55mm adapter plate is available and would accommodate all of your filter thread sizes. It's a lot of money for a polarizing filter but it adds a lot to the final image.

[ruskiantonov]

The Leica 13356 swing out polarizer includes adapter plates for 39mm and 46mm filter threads. I believe a 55mm adapter plate is available and would accommodate all of your filter thread sizes. It's a lot of money for a polarizing filter but it adds a lot to the final image.

 

I'm almost positive that there is no 55 adapter to be used with the swing out polarizer (Leica 13356), I'd like to be proven wrong though.

 

And it is a ton of money, I wouldn't even consider it for 500 odd dollars but I have a chance to buy it for sub 200 which seems ok.

[250swb]

I think you are trying to make something simple complicated. Use an ND filter (if necessary) and a slower speed film. If you are using B&W you can also pull process the film (if you leave the ND filter on for the whole film) gaining you another stop. But it's not hard to lose six or more stops of film speed just by using one filter. I mean, you can get a 46mm Heliopan ND 3.0. That should be plenty to wallow in 'creamy bokeh'.

 

Steve

[honcho]

You've posted this same question in the Customer Forum so I'll repeat my reply here, too:

 

Take a look at the Lee Seven5 filter system. It's more convenient than messing around with stepping rings.

[ruskiantonov]

Thanks for the answers everyone, I ended up finding a set of B+W 55 ND filters for a great price so I won't be using the variable system. Should make things less complicated in terms of compatibility with polarizers.

[menos I M6]

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I would have completely separated the E55 Summicron and it's needed filters from your needs for the 35 and 50mm lenses.

 

This makes sense as the Leica Universal Pol. kit is designed to work with adapter plates directly up to E49.

 

In use with the Leica Universal Pol. Kit you need to understand that you can (at reasonable thickness for the respective lens) stack filters between the lens and the Pol but you cannot fit filters ahead of the polarizer.

 

Filters with rotatable front rim are not very practical to use with the polarizer, as you will end up with a concoction with too many movable parts, trying to mange which rim turns how, …

 

For this reason I have collected for each common filter size all regularly used different filters (yes more expensive total but A LOT EASIER in practical terms.

 

I hate adapters and step rings and rather have a clean kit with filters designated to lenses.

 

If you need to find a polarizer for the E55, I would use a standard (non circular) polarizer just for that lens and judge the effect purely by the TTL light meter reading of the MP or if need be remove the filter for judging the angle and then fixing it to the lens correctly.

 

On another note the Universal Pol. Kit does add the convenience of very quickly flipping the filter over by 180º to see through and adjust, but in turn it adds so many other inconveniences that I think it is a wash.

If you are using a polarizer A LOT with the limited set of filter sizes the kit supports directly, go all for it and you will love it (really neat design).

If you are occasionally doing the odd shot with a polarizer, I think the small packing size of a normal single pol filter outweighs the neat design and convenience of the UPK.

 

In any event, have fun, filtering and using your kit!

 

Oh - I second the use of different films and processing to skip ND filters if possible. The only NDs I see no alternative for if really needed are the really strong ones (which variable filters do not provide).