This question is about the Leica M 35mm f/2 Aspheric Lens. I'd like to know if the front rotates when focusing. I want to try using a polarizer with it. I know about the Leica universal polarizer, but it seems too expensive at the moment.

Thanks!

-- Ray Negus (raynegus@pcez.com), March 14, 2002

Answers

No, Ray, it does not rotate, so alternative polarizer solutions should not be a problem in that respect.

-- Ralph Barker (rbarker@pacbell.net), March 14, 2002.

Thanks, Ralph. I'll need a circular polarizer (not linear) with the M7, correct?

-- Ray Negus (raynegus@pcez.com), March 14, 2002.

circular polarizer is not needed or recommended. best to use either the leica swing out polarizer or one of the heliopan or b+w polarizer that have the marked rings (you set the angle by eye, note the number on top, put polarizer on camera, and rotate so same number is on top). circular polarizer is for the af crowd.

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), March 14, 2002.

ok, I wasn't sure about this. I thought the circular polarizers were more for TTL meters than autofocus. The M7 uses a TTL meter so I thought a circular polarizer would be needed.

-- Ray Negus (raynegus@pcez.com), March 14, 2002.

A circular polarizer is needed to maintain correct light intensity to light meters that read off of a mirror. The meters in Leica Rs (R4 to R7, I assume but do not know) read light reflected from mirrors. A mirror also polarizes light. Two linear polarizations of light can be opaque creating a false meter reading. The meter in the M6 reads off of a white spot on the first shutter curtin directly without a mirror.

-- Doug Landrum (dflandrum@earthlink.net), March 14, 2002.

Leitz brought out the circular polarizer with the introduction of the Leicaflex SL. The problem occurs when the light passes THROUGH the mirror on it's way to the photocell at the bottom of the camera. This light is repolarized and would effect the meter accuracy. Use of a circular polarizer prevents the repolarization of light. Circular polarizers are required for ALL Leica SLR's dating from the SL.

You can use either type of polarizer with Leica M's.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), March 14, 2002.

Roger Michel wrote "circular polarizer is not needed or recommended. best to use either the leica swing out polarizer or one of the heliopan or b+w polarizer that have the marked rings (you set the angle by eye, note the number on top, put polarizer on camera, and rotate so same number is on top). circular polarizer is for the af crowd"

I always thought the Leica swing out filter was a cicular polarizer? Have I been wrong all these years?

-- Steve Barnett (barnet@globalnet.co.uk), March 15, 2002.

sorry if i bore anyone, but i still like my cheapo polarizer solution for any rangefinder:

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), March 15, 2002.

Stefan:

I must have missed your earlier posting on the Leica M polarizer solution. What exactly did you do and how?

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), March 15, 2002.

Both versions of the swing-out polarizers are linear. Circular polarizers are not needed since the there is nothing in the light path in either the M5 or the M6/7 that alters the effect of the polarizer before it reaches the photocell.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), March 15, 2002.