How to use a polarizer on an M3 (no live view)

[Emad Muzaffar]

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I'm planning on purchasing a polarizer from URTH (https://urth.co/products/cpl-polarizing-filter-plus) but I am unsure of whether or not I will be able to set the filter rotation correctly on my M3.

I had contacted URTH themselves and they said to set the orientation correctly by looking through the filter before attaching to the lens, I though this sounded impractical. As the M3 does not have any way of seeing through the taking lens, how should I use a polarizer and/or other filters that rely on achieving the correct orientation to produce the desired affect.

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[Helge]

There is an article about that topic:

https://lavidaleica.com/content/polarizers-and-m-system
 

I would suggest this one

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Leica 13352 swing out polarizing filter only for E39

or the newer Leica 13356 swing out polarizing filter that works with E39, E46 and E49

Edited May 14 by Helge

[250swb]

Or buy the cheapest best circular polariser you can find and before using it make various colour paint marks or identifiable scratches as registration marks around the rotating rim, they don't have to be perfectly spaced but it helps. Then hold the filter up and rotate it until you get the effect you want and note which mark or marks are near the top most point. Screw the filter on the lens and align the marks you noted to the same point. Urth are correct but without registration marks (as with their filters) you have no way to realign it after screwing it on.

Edited May 14 by 250swb

[Helge]

The most comfortable solution is the one @Al Brown and I posted, the filters are frequently offered at eBay and less expensive than the one from URTH.

I personally wouldn’t like to continuously screwing that filter off and on, neither comfortable, nor quick and probably prone to thread damages after some time.

[FrozenInTime]

Another option is to buy a second polariser and use it as a viewer; add markings as @250swb describes.

There was once a hot-shoe mountable polarising viewer https://www.japanexposures.com/shop/accessories/vernier-polarizer-hotshoe-finder.html

[Helge]

Also an interesting option, requires a polarizer with identical markings.

[Emad Muzaffar]

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Thanks for all the help, I'll probably opt for one of the swing out Leica gizmos as it'll add to the look of the m3. The camera will probably look "great" with the DR goggles and the swing out both on at the same time!