ND Filters and System for M Mount Recommendations please....

[Cayenne]

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Hello all,

I was thinking for my M10M...it might be fun to shoot some long exposure shots.

I currently have only 1 lets, the Voigtlander Ultron 35mm.....with the 'standard' 39mm lens.

I'm thinking rather than a variable ND filter, I'd like to have a few ND filters where I know and can calculate the # of stops for my exposure.  

If I were to go with route.. is there. a good "set" of ND filters ya'll could recommend?  It is possible to stack 2 or more of them to get the desired number of stops and not have vignetting?

Recommendations of brand and  which set of filters to get from say 3 stops to 10 stops?

 

Ok another twist.  I'm contemplating getting for my first 50mm, the Zeiss Planar which I believe has an odd 43mm filter ring.  Is it possible to get ND filters in this size and maybe use them with reducer rings to 39mm for the 'normal' M mount filter size?

 

This would be the way I'd want to start.

 

BUT...to go ahead and ask, and this is for future plans.....what about filter systems like the Lee or Polar Pro with the larger filter systems that are not screw on, that you drop in plate type filters....does anyone do this with their Leica Camera M mount camera systems?  

Eventually I"d like to get one of these systems to use on all of my cameras, for Large format lenses, my Hasselblad V system, GFX100...Canon 5D3..etc....but this is in the future.

But wondering if anyone uses this type filter system on their Leica M cameras....

 

Thank you in advance,

cayenne

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[digger1914]

I use Breakthrough ND and CP filters, and love them

https://breakthrough.photography

[Cayenne]

21 hours ago, digger1914 said:

I use Breakthrough ND and CP filters, and love them

https://breakthrough.photography

Thank you.

 

Which ones do you have and use?

cayenne

[pedaes]

On 11/12/2020 at 9:42 PM, Cayenne said:

like the Lee 

I use the Lee Sevenfive system, which I think has been replaced by the Eightfive. Works fine with Visoflex if you want to use ND grads.The Sevenfive might be around at reduced price   

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Edited November 13, 2020 by pedaes

[Anakronox]

For my Ms, I just use E46 B&W circular NDs.  They’re tiny and I will carry a 1, 3, 6, and 10 stop when I want to do a long exposure. Different story for my GFX and SL2.  I have a Haida M10 filter system, but it’s just way too bulky to use with my M glass. 
 

Edit: the E46 thread size is common with my Summilux 35 FLE, Summilux 50 ASPH, and Summicron 28 ASPH.  I also will bring a step down ring to E39 if shooting the Summicron 50, Ultron 35, or Elmarit 28. 

Edited November 14, 2020 by Anakronox

[M11 for me]

I used Leica branded filters (were they 0.9 or 1.2?) in the beginning: They were of very poor quality and the results were bad. Then I changed to FIRECREST (from FORMATT HITECH). These are excellent products.

But note: Leica says NOT to stack 2 or more filters. And indeed that gives queer lights. The best is certainly to have only one filter. So remove even the UV filter if you use one.

Edited November 14, 2020 by M10 for me

[darylgo]

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I currently have only 1 lets, the Voigtlander Ultron 35mm.....with the 'standard' 39mm lens.

39mm and 46mm are common sizes in Leica, consider buying 46mm filters and stepping up with heliopan brass step rings, they bind less than aluminum rings. 

I'm thinking rather than a variable ND filter, I'd like to have a few ND filters where I know and can calculate the # of stops for my exposure.  

Variable ND are a compromise in IQ, they are comprised of two filters, my findings are the expensive ones are not better, perhaps things have changed in the past few years since I did my testing.  

If I were to go with route.. is there. a good "set" of ND filters ya'll could recommend?  It is possible to stack 2 or more of them to get the desired number of stops and not have vignetting?

Stacking two filters will normally compromise IQ.  I use a 3 stop and 10 stop filter.  

Recommendations of brand and  which set of filters to get from say 3 stops to 10 stops?

Heliopan, Leica, B+W are all good for the 3 stop.  The 10 stop will allow IR to hit the sensor (on a monochrome this could be a benefit) unless you buy a filter that blocks it, I would look for reviews, filters change frequently.  

Ok another twist.  I'm contemplating getting for my first 50mm, the Zeiss Planar which I believe has an odd 43mm filter ring.  Is it possible to get ND filters in this size and maybe use them with reducer rings to 39mm for the 'normal' M mount filter size?

Yes, the lens hood will not slide with step up rings and rangefinder blockage could occur.  

 

BUT...to go ahead and ask, and this is for future plans.....what about filter systems like the Lee or Polar Pro with the larger filter systems that are not screw on, that you drop in plate type filters....does anyone do this with their Leica Camera M mount camera systems?  

I like the smaller filters for my M lenses, the systems you mention are rather large for Leica and will block the rangefinder, furthermore with a 10 stop there could be light leakage between the filter and the holder.  

 

[digger1914]

On 11/14/2020 at 8:21 AM, Cayenne said:

Thank you.

 

Which ones do you have and use?

cayenne

I have the X4 6 stop ND and the X4 CPL.  I get no colour caste on the ND, and it is very well made.

[Cayenne]

On 11/14/2020 at 4:25 PM, darylgo said:

 

I currently have only 1 lets, the Voigtlander Ultron 35mm.....with the 'standard' 39mm lens.

39mm and 46mm are common sizes in Leica, consider buying 46mm filters and stepping up with heliopan brass step rings, they bind less than aluminum rings. 

I'm thinking rather than a variable ND filter, I'd like to have a few ND filters where I know and can calculate the # of stops for my exposure.  

Variable ND are a compromise in IQ, they are comprised of two filters, my findings are the expensive ones are not better, perhaps things have changed in the past few years since I did my testing.  

If I were to go with route.. is there. a good "set" of ND filters ya'll could recommend?  It is possible to stack 2 or more of them to get the desired number of stops and not have vignetting?

Stacking two filters will normally compromise IQ.  I use a 3 stop and 10 stop filter.  

Recommendations of brand and  which set of filters to get from say 3 stops to 10 stops?

Heliopan, Leica, B+W are all good for the 3 stop.  The 10 stop will allow IR to hit the sensor (on a monochrome this could be a benefit) unless you buy a filter that blocks it, I would look for reviews, filters change frequently.  

Ok another twist.  I'm contemplating getting for my first 50mm, the Zeiss Planar which I believe has an odd 43mm filter ring.  Is it possible to get ND filters in this size and maybe use them with reducer rings to 39mm for the 'normal' M mount filter size?

Yes, the lens hood will not slide with step up rings and rangefinder blockage could occur.  

 

BUT...to go ahead and ask, and this is for future plans.....what about filter systems like the Lee or Polar Pro with the larger filter systems that are not screw on, that you drop in plate type filters....does anyone do this with their Leica Camera M mount camera systems?  

I like the smaller filters for my M lenses, the systems you mention are rather large for Leica and will block the rangefinder, furthermore with a 10 stop there could be light leakage between the filter and the holder.  

 

 

 

OH...great point on that last one....

D'oh!!

I'd not thought about the larger filter system blocking the rangefinder.

LOL..ok, I'll likely get a few circular ones for the Leica...and the larger ones for the larger cameras, I was just trying to figure if I could do all in one, but I see that's not the best option here.

 

Again, thank you and everyon for their great input here!!

C

[pedaes]

1 hour ago, Cayenne said:

a few circular ones

Good idea.

The 'larger' type and the grads are only useful for serious landscape work.

[Cayenne]

5 hours ago, pedaes said:

Good idea.

The 'larger' type and the grads are only useful for serious landscape work.

Gotcha.

I have a Shen Hao 6x17 MF format view camera I like to do mostly landscape pano shots with, and a Hassy, etc....so I have a few cameras that would work well with the larger filter sets with NDs...grads and CPs.

I was just wondering about maybe trying landscapes, etc with the Leica and trying to get one filter system to rule them all.  But in this case in keeping with the Leica small to go type kit, it would make sense more I guess to just have circular ones for it...especially when reminded that the big system would mess with the range finder.

I do have the EVF I can hook on, but I think I'll just go for a set for Leica and the big one for everything else....

Again, thank you everyone for the advice and info...such a very helpful forum, I learn something new here every day!!

C