Thambar Center Spot Filter

[johnkunstadter]

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I'd be grateful for any advice forum members can give me.

 

The 48mm center spot filter to my LTM (1938) Thambar has broken.  It will be very difficult to find a replacement original filter, although I am searching.  According to Leica the filter for the re-issued Thambar-M (part 12456) is 49mm.  Has anyone tried using a 48 to 49mm step-up ring to allow 49mm filters on the older model Thambar?   If so, would that necessitate using a Thambar-M hood?

[Milan_S]

Indeed the new thambar in m mount has another filter thread, a stupid move by Leica or done on purpose? 

You could use a simple UV filter with a small piece of black tape in the middle. Never tried the step up ring but maybe you could order the step up ring and take your LTM Thambar to a Leica store and ask if you could try the new thambar filter on your LTM version. 

Hope this works out for you. 

[Arrow]

There are second hand 48 mm Thambar UV filters available. Maybe it is some fix to get one and paint a circle with a silver pen or black Edding using the broken one as a template. 

[Arrow]

Ha, same thought, same time

[Ernest]

Available at Leica Store Miami, in stock:

Leica "Soft Focus" Center Filter E49 for Thambar-M 90mm f/2.2

SKU: 79942912456X   Mfg Code: 12456

$295

[a5m]

4 hours ago, johnkunstadter said:

The 48mm center spot filter to my LTM (1938) Thambar has broken... the re-issued Thambar-M (part 12456) is 49mm.

 

1 hour ago, Ernest said:

Available at Leica Store Miami, in stock:

Leica "Soft Focus" Center Filter E49 for Thambar-M 90mm f/2.2

SKU: 79942912456X   Mfg Code: 12456

$295

 

[johnkunstadter]

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1 hour ago, Ernest said:

Available at Leica Store Miami, in stock:

Leica "Soft Focus" Center Filter E49 for Thambar-M 90mm f/2.2

SKU: 79942912456X   Mfg Code: 12456

$295

Many thanks, Ernest (and thank you for your triptych series).  I had already called the very helpful Leica Store in Miami; they hope to be able to tell me on Monday whether the idea of using a step-up ring to accomodate the 49mm 12456 is practicable.

[Ernest]

2 hours ago, johnkunstadter said:

Many thanks, Ernest (and thank you for your triptych series).  I had already called the very helpful Leica Store in Miami; they hope to be able to tell me on Monday whether the idea of using a step-up ring to accomodate the 49mm 12456 is practicable.

John, I hope Miami can do something for you because the Thambar really rocks. If Miami doesn't come through, I notice B&H has a Heliopan 48-49 Step-up Ring (#220) special order, and a Sensei 48-49 Step-up Ring, in stock. Good luck and keep below radar. Thanks for mentioning my triptychs, always fun.

Edited April 5, 2020 by Ernest

[Gerbs]

I just got a 1937 Thambar, without the filter. Dan Tamarkin (Tamarkin Camera, Chicago) gave me a clear 48mm filter with a piece of tape in the center. He found a punch that was extremely close to the original spot size. It's close to 1/2" or 13mm. Haven't used it yet, as it's my first day with the lens, and things got pretty fuzzy in daylight even without the center spot filter.

[darylgo]

6 minutes ago, Gerbs said:

 Haven't used it yet, as it's my first day with the lens, and things got pretty fuzzy in daylight even without the center spot filter.

Fuzzy enough for me without the filter that I never use it.  Of course, curiosity would have me trying a work around at least once.