Me Leica! Posted December 30, 2021 Share #1 Posted December 30, 2021 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I recently sold off a bunch of gear and picked up a Monochrom 246, as I have long wanted to try shooting black and white only (digitally). So far I'm having a lot of fun with it. I'm considering picking up a few colour filters - maybe a green, yellow and orange to start with. However, when I look these things up online, the variation in price is really quite extreme. The lens I'm using has a 39mm filter size so searching on Amazon.co.jp (I'm in Tokyo) brings up, among others, a yellow filter by Marumi for 1,600 yen, which is currently about 13 USD or 12 Euro. However, other filters (which tend to feature the name "Leica" in their description) are listed for anything up to ten times this much. Having never used colour filters before, I don't know that much about them, so I wanted to ask the people who might have experience with them. Is there that much of a difference in quality, or are some sellers just pushing their luck? Edited December 30, 2021 by Me Leica! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 30, 2021 Posted December 30, 2021 Hi Me Leica!, Take a look here Quality of colour filters. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
convexferret Posted December 30, 2021 Share #2 Posted December 30, 2021 Avoid the cheap ones. Other than that you'll be fine. B&W, Hoya etc all do top class filters and I tend to choose whatever is available from the main manufacturers at the time rather than sticking to one. These tend to be in the €30-€50 range. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted December 30, 2021 Share #3 Posted December 30, 2021 B+W, Hoya, are good brands, go for the more expensive versions, but it's too easy to disregard the cheaper makes, Marumi make excellent filters and in some of the odd sizes. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted December 30, 2021 Share #4 Posted December 30, 2021 (edited) After some fear to use colored filters with my Monochrom (MM1 and MM2), I use them now without any doubts. I had bought some cheap filters over time. In real use, I can not see any flaws, even when they have some scratches, not coated. I use what I have in the right size for the lens on the M : Leitz/Leica/, Hoya, Marumi, Canon, B&W, Cokin, Pentax, Nikon, etc. So for me any colored filter CAN be used with Monochrom M, at any price, new or old (two of my A36 Leitz, funny naming FIPOS for green, could be made in the 1930' or 1940's with heavy glass tinted in the glass, not coated as does the Elmar 5cm), such are my experiences. Period correct accessories can be fun, but not necessary. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited December 30, 2021 by a.noctilux 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/327942-quality-of-colour-filters/?do=findComment&comment=4341619'>More sharing options...
hdmesa Posted January 10, 2022 Share #5 Posted January 10, 2022 Just as informational, I stumbled across the fact that B+W has updated their entire filter line. The b&w color filters are no longer that thick F-Pro ring, they are slimmer. They still do not have the nano coating, which they probably don't need. From my post on DPR: Quote New one: B+W #590/090 Red Light MRC Basic Filter (49mm) Old one I used: B+W 49mm Light Red MRC 090M Filter B+W split their lines into BASIC and MASTER, with the latter having the nano coating. The black and white color filters never had the nano coating, and I don't think they will get it, so the basic one linked above should be the same as the old filter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted January 10, 2022 Share #6 Posted January 10, 2022 Camera branded filters are usually all good but can be expensive at times, Leica branded filters is case in point, most of the current ones are manufactured by third parties yet command Leica premium. Independent filter producers like B&W and Heliopan use well regarded Schott optical glass, Hoya is premier maker of optical glass in its own right. I have Ll of above, no complaint. I have few Marumi filters and they are excellent. As of lately I have acquired H&Y filter system made up of CPL and neutral grad, and also combine NISI 150x100mm Neutral Graduate, these are some truly excellent optical filter system with innovative high quality glass. some information... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/327942-quality-of-colour-filters/?do=findComment&comment=4350592'>More sharing options...
mmradman Posted January 10, 2022 Share #7 Posted January 10, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) M246 with Tri-Elmar at 16mm and exposed via Graduated Neutral Filter. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/327942-quality-of-colour-filters/?do=findComment&comment=4350597'>More sharing options...
jplomley Posted January 19, 2022 Share #8 Posted January 19, 2022 Given the cost of the M10M and associated glass, the Leica filters are a drop in the bucket. I just stick with the Leica color filters. They thread easily, hold their value, optically demonstrate no deterioration to the image quality (I checked) and might even be fine tuned to the sensor (read that somewhere). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted January 19, 2022 Share #9 Posted January 19, 2022 (edited) 19 minutes ago, jplomley said: ...and might even be fine tuned to the sensor (read that somewhere). Well, the task of a color filter with black and white is to influence the contrast between different colors. Sometimes less may be better and sometimes more (both may result from "bad" or "good" filter), often you don't see the difference. So someone who wanted to "fine tune" a filter to the sensor would have to know all motives with all lightings the sensor would ever take. There are many colored filters around for Leica lenses which are 80 years old or so. Just try one and compare it to a modern one. Difference ? Better or worse? P.S.: To be honest those "bad" old ones are often more expensive than "good" modern ones - which do not bear the name "Leica". Edited January 19, 2022 by UliWer Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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