WATE / Tri-Elmar filter holder alternatives?

[Robert Blanko]

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Hi folks,

This week my WATE arrived and I am wondering whether there are useful filter adapters available. I know the original Leica adapter but it does not convince me for the following reasons:

Using said adapter requires removing the standard hood and replacing the same with the filter adapter. The filter adapter appears less protruding so that the risk of bumping the front lens seems to be higher than with the original lens hood. Moreover, the adapter diameter is rather large.

Thus, I was wondering whether there could be adapters available similar to the design of the original lens cap?: you simply slide / clamp this on the original lens hood.

[mmradman]

The original lens hood has a cutout to aid RF focusing/framing so any adaptor you wish for may need ability to block that opening to prevent light entering from behind. I don’t think there is such adaptor in existence, WATE is exotic small volume lens, plus modern Leica metal screw lens hood is featuring end stop which is patented. If anyone made one it would probably struggle to keep filter parallel.

Original filter adaptor accepts E67 filters, there is myriad of stand alone filters and filter systems that utilise 67mm filter thread for filter holders.

i would say your biggest problem may be finding original adapter, I believe it may be out of production as with M8 long replaced with later M cameras there is no mandatory requirement to fit UVIR filter.

[Robert Blanko]

Thanks for your feedback, mmradman!
 

The original adapter seems to be available on stock, so this would not be an issue.

But currently I am considering making a „home-made‘ solution based on a modified lens cap in combination with a step up adaptor, so that one could easily slide the filter over the original lens hood - like the lens cap. I don‘t like unsrewing the original lens hood each time I would need a filter and to screw the adaptor on.

The hole in the lens hood (or likewise in the original adapter) would have to be covered anyway to avoid unwanted local effects (imagine an ND filter or a polarizer and light from behind...) and as I am using the EVF for my WATE, this is perfectly okay. The central patch of the rangefinder is still visible.
 

Just thought that such solutions could have been already existing...