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Polarizer filters for Leica primary lenses.


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Excellent build quality, optically excellent (linear), weird looking, rather expensive, very practical and easy to use. I would not be without it.

 

 

 

 

Simon, on 13 Jul 2017 - 14:40, said:

 

Plastic? That doesn't sound good.

 

Anyone with comments or experience of Leica's universal polarising filter for M? I'm considering getting it as a gift.

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After some quick research I've decided against it for the following reasons. It can't support f/0.95 Noctilux which is one of the main lenses I had in mind to use with it. Nor does it come with the adapter required for two other lenses in his collection (75 APO Cron and 135 Telyt-M f/3.4) meaning I'd have to buy yet another adapter, adding to the already high price for this "universal" filter and pushing it really beyond what I can justify for now.

 

A shame because I'm sure it has typically excellent build quality and optics and I'd enjoy using it. I'll have to think of something else.

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Plastic? That doesn't sound good.

 

Anyone with comments or experience of Leica's universal polarising filter for M? I'm considering getting it as a gift.

 

You could use other materials (certain crystals) and methods (beam splitters, prisms, etc.) to make a polarizer. For imaging optics and using visible light, I'd say plastic is by far the best choice.

 

An alternative way to get you a linear polarizer is to buy a circular polarizer, take it out of the mount, remove the quarter waveplate, re-assemble it and voila, you made yourself a linear polarizer. Would not fall under the category of smart things to do in my book, just my opinion.

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After some quick research I've decided against it for the following reasons. It can't support f/0.95 Noctilux which is one of the main lenses I had in mind to use with it. Nor does it come with the adapter required for two other lenses in his collection (75 APO Cron and 135 Telyt-M f/3.4) meaning I'd have to buy yet another adapter, adding to the already high price for this "universal" filter and pushing it really beyond what I can justify for now.

I have one. It works very well although it is a little clumsy and cumbersome - inevitable using a polarising filter on an M I'm afraid. The two lenses you mention seem to have a problem because the standard E46 and E49 adapters may be too short (I've not got either). Simple solution for me has been to use another filter with the glass removed to push the polariser away from the lens. This seems to work ok and is an inexpensive solution if you are happy to buy a marked filter to remove the glass from.

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If you haven't bot the polarizer, yet, I can recommend the solution I use. 

 

I have a Canon circular polarizer the is larger in diameter than all of my lenses.  I do the focusing bit and then look thru the polarizer to maximize the effectiveness and hold it at that angle over the front of the lens on the camera.

 

I am not a frequent user of these things, but this works well for me.

 

Best regards, Bill

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Circ or linear work the same on any camera. Linear can mess up auto focus and exposure through filter .

 

For M camera,   anything but Leica swing out pola is a real pain. 

My advice, buy a Leica 13352 with worthless glass; remove the old glass and super glue  in a 46mm polarizer (BW Top Pol works fine) and you are in business on the cheap. Works great on my 50s and 35s that take a 39mm screw in.  Regards, Ron

Edited by Ronazle
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FWIW, I just use a regular B+W 39mm CPL and mark it with Tipp-Ex.

One mark for 12 o clock when the filter is attached.

Another on the rotating front part where strongest polarisation is, then just go with your gut when adjusting.

 

I wouldn't ever bother with the swing-out contraption personally, you might as well just have an identical filter loose and marked up that you can compare through if the absolute exact outcome is important?

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Having tried just about all the methods here, I have ended mostly using the universal polariser. The main reason is that the vented step-up rings can result in reflections from your fingers in the image, while the other methods (using the meter reading, or using a second filter free-hand) were not accurate enough.

 

The main downside to the UP is the increased finder blockage and the sheer embarrassment of shooting with what looks like some kind of weird victorian-era gadget bolted to the front of the lens. But it does work well.

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Having tried just about all the methods here, I have ended mostly using the universal polariser. The main reason is that the vented step-up rings can result in reflections from your fingers in the image, while the other methods (using the meter reading, or using a second filter free-hand) were not accurate enough.

 

The main downside to the UP is the increased finder blockage and the sheer embarrassment of shooting with what looks like some kind of weird victorian-era gadget bolted to the front of the lens. But it does work well.

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  • 3 months later...

Having seen this thread and knowing first hand the difficulty to understand the differences between the polariser options for Leica, I shot and wrote up a comparison of the three most easily found solutions (and also a brief comparison with a digital simulation).

 

I hope this is of some help to anyone who is/was as baffled as I was...

 

https://transienteye.com/2017/11/05/leica-polarising-filters/

 

With hindsight, I should have opted for the Universal Polariser at the start. It is (relatively) expensive, bulky and blocks the finder - but it is also the most convenient and the most reliable in use.

 

(And apologies for the delay in posting this - it has been a very busy summer!)

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  • 2 weeks later...

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but i still don't get it. What filter do i need if i just want the same effect on my photos that i get from looking through my sunglasses? I'm not adjusting anything on them and they work whichever way i look with regards to the sun....?

A polarizing filter works optimally 90º off the direction of the sun. An ND filter is omnidirectional, but produces a totally different effect.

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If your sunglasses have polarized lenses (some do), then you've not paid attention to changing effects as you move around or look in different directions at polarized light sources (water reflections, etc). Otherwise, as others note, ND lenses will reduce the light, but won't counteract polarized light as a polarizing filter, nor offer any tint as some sunglasses.

 

Jeff

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Polarizing filters under Leica brand name ..............................

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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Sorry to bring up an old thread, but i still don't get it. What filter do i need if i just want the same effect on my photos that i get from looking through my sunglasses? I'm not adjusting anything on them and they work whichever way i look with regards to the sun....?

Your sun glasses have colored glasses. They change the color of the light they let through. So you could use any color filter for your camera. But this effect of color filters you can achieve as well in Lightroom or photoshop (or whatever you use).

 

A polorising filter you can NOT simulate in post processing when you use them to reduce or eliminate glare (e.g. on surfaces of leaves). On the other hand ND filters can be simulated in LR. You can use the graduated filter over your sky to make it darker. You can not simulate an ND filter if you want to flatten water or clouds.

Edited by Alex U.
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