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WATE Milich Adapter-Leica or B+W Filter?


lightpainter

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Having just ordered John's fabulous filter-adapter I'll have to get a 49mm UV/IR filter for it; would you recommend the (much more expensive) Leica filter or will the B+W glass at about half the price do an adequate job? What I have heard is that it's easier to get the glass out of the Leica filter's ring. Maybe I'll try to ring Leica CS to ask if I can get just a 49mm glass; I think they should offer this option.

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I agree you should go with the Leica glass because the cyan correction built into the camera is the most critical on this lens of any of them and it will have been fine-tuned according to the Leica glass characteristics

 

As for getting the glass out, I think removing the spring ring from Leica filters is quite tricky, I prefer John's solution of a threaded retaining ring which is what B+W use. You can get the conical rubber tools to remove and replace the screwed rings from micro-tools.

 

I'm sure Leica have seen John's adapter, Guy might even have shown it to them but they seem to stick doggedly to their filter adapter for full frame use with the (now covered up) holes. I have a filter adapter going spare but there's no point posting for sale because I don't think anyone would buy it.

 

I'd be more sympathetic with Leica's position if they had included the filter adapter with the lens, and a lens hood and cap to go with it. As it is, it's like buying an up-scale car and finding it has an AM only radio.

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I suggest using a B+W 489 IR filter. It has a slight green cast and a filter factor of 1.2 but it doesn't present any cyan corners at all and the cast is easily removed with a single click of white balance. I love this setup and it works beautifully. I am surprised more people aren't using the 489 with ultrawides.

 

-Brad

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I'm surprised that the B&W is half the price of the Leica. The Leica filter is a little tricky to get out too as you have to turn the tiny ring holding it in. I, carefully, used an eyeglass screwdriver to "push" the ring loose. Theoretically the Leica filter is better corrected for the M8 software. But I'm not sure this is practically relavent. Check out the Sean Reid website and articles on the M8 and the Milich adapter.

steve

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Guest guy_mancuso

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I agree you should go with the Leica glass because the cyan correction built into the camera is the most critical on this lens of any of them and it will have been fine-tuned according to the Leica glass characteristics

 

As for getting the glass out, I think removing the spring ring from Leica filters is quite tricky, I prefer John's solution of a threaded retaining ring which is what B+W use. You can get the conical rubber tools to remove and replace the screwed rings from micro-tools.

 

I'm sure Leica have seen John's adapter, Guy might even have shown it to them but they seem to stick doggedly to their filter adapter for full frame use with the (now covered up) holes. I have a filter adapter going spare but there's no point posting for sale because I don't think anyone would buy it.

 

I'd be more sympathetic with Leica's position if they had included the filter adapter with the lens, and a lens hood and cap to go with it. As it is, it's like buying an up-scale car and finding it has an AM only radio.

 

Actually they have seen John's adapter and they think it was a great idea and than smiled. There not going to make one so buy John's . LOL

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I suggest using a B+W 489 IR filter. It has a slight green cast and a filter factor of 1.2 but it doesn't present any cyan corners at all and the cast is easily removed with a single click of white balance. I love this setup and it works beautifully. I am surprised more people aren't using the 489 with ultrawides.

 

-Brad

 

I think it's easier to find a Leica E49 UV / IR than a B+W #489 but I agree it's the best solution for non Leica lenses with other diameter size (i.e. Nokton 1.2/35 52mm)

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I'd be more sympathetic with Leica's position if they had included the filter adapter with the lens, and a lens hood and cap to go with it. As it is, it's like buying an up-scale car and finding it has an AM only radio.

 

That's a great comparison.

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This days I'm waiting for the Milich adapter and after having read this thread I'm frightened at all. I ordered the adapter without knowing how to assemble the Leica 49 mm filter thinking it could be a simple procedure...

 

Could somebody of you show me images how to assemble that filter?, because I'm not able to understand the english description you have done.

 

Thank you,

 

Francisco.

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I think it's easier to find a Leica E49 UV / IR than a B+W #489 but I agree it's the best solution for non Leica lenses with other diameter size (i.e. Nokton 1.2/35 52mm)

 

Manual

 

I have been searching all over the US for a 49mm filter, any variety, and come up totally empty. I have been on Popflash list for months and they have not had a single unit shipped to them.

 

If you have a source could you let me know?

Thanks

 

Woody Spedden

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Manual

 

I have been searching all over the US for a 49mm filter, any variety, and come up totally empty. I have been on Popflash list for months and they have not had a single unit shipped to them.

 

If you have a source could you let me know?

Thanks

 

Woody Spedden

 

You mean the Leica E49 IR / UV or the B+W #489 49mm? I pretty sure you can get the Leica ones at "La Maison du Leica" in Paris (I got it there).

 

La Maison du Leica

 

He got a lot of new stock at the end of July (before the holidays) and for the last two weeks Jean-Marc has received a huge quantity of bodies (50 M8), lenses, P&S, D3, filters, diopters, magnifiers, cases...

 

You can check with him. The only problem I don't think he's shipping abroad.

 

For the B+W #486 you can get it here: Foto Huppert They have it also in chrome. But if you intended to use it with John Milich adapter for the WATE, I wouldn't recommend this filter. You can send an email to Michael Huppert at info@foto-huppert.de and ask him if he can order a B+W #489. They're very serious and will keep you informed of everything.

 

I hope that helps. If I can do something else for you... just ask.

 

Regards.

.

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... I have been on Popflash list for months and they have not had a single unit shipped to them.

 

All due respect to PopFlash (I am a satisfied customer,) but the lists they keep don't seem to be as reliable as one might like. On a couple of occasions I have found things on their site that I was "on the list" for, but hadn't been notified were in stock. I think it has to do with the spotty stock situation on a lot of Leica items lately.

 

I'd suggest checking their site regularly, especially for filters.

 

T

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Get the Leica filter for the WATE, the B+W does not fully correct for the cyan shift.

 

Hi Guy,

 

Actually, neither filter corrects for the cyan drift at all - they both create it. The Leica filter is a bit weaker in its filtering of IR so it creates less cyan drift to begin with. As you and I have been mentioning to folks for months now, the Leica firmware is tuned to the Leica filters (with ultra-wides, etc.)

 

The 486 actually blocks more IR but the difference seems to be inconsequential in practice.

 

There's no cyan shift with either filter, of course. The central region stays fairly neutral with both filters.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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Check out the Sean Reid website and articles on the M8 and the Milich adapter.

steve

 

Thanks. I was quietly thinking that my articles on these topics would be relevant here but thought I might not be the best person to point that out. <G>

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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Guest guy_mancuso
Hi Guy,

 

Actually, neither filter corrects for the cyan drift at all - they both create it. The Leica filter is a bit weaker in its filtering of IR so it creates less cyan drift to begin with. As you and I have been mentioning to folks for months now, the Leica firmware is tuned to the Leica filters (with ultra-wides, etc.)

 

The 486 actually blocks more IR but the difference seems to be inconsequential in practice.

 

There's no cyan shift with either filter, of course. The central region stays fairly neutral with both filters.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

Hell we said it so many times , i don't know what i am saying sometimes. ROTFLMAO

Old Fart Syndrome. OFS

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