I would like to get some filters for my lenses. Since I'm stuck with sizes from 46mm to 60mm I rather not buy the same filters for all sizes, especially since most are for occasionally use. Are there any step down rings out there so I can use 60mm filters on all lenses ? Or would this block my rangefinder too much ? Anyone with experience regarding this ? Thanks, Harro

-- Harro de Wilde (hdewilde@uni-one.nl), April 23, 2002

Answers

I've been down this path many times before. The problem you will encounter is viewfinder cut-off, improper lens shades, ect.

Every lens I buy I add in the cost of a skylight, red and yellow filter. Once I have 2 each yellow & red in a size, I just buy the skylight.

On odd ball size filters I have SK Grimes make a custom adapter ring. Examples: 50mm f/2 Summitar to 39mm, Canon 50mm f/1.8 (40mm) to 39mm, Leitz 90mm f/4 Elmar (36mm slip over) to 39mm, a rear mount adapter for my Voigtlander 15mm ect. I then use the proper Leica shade for that focal length.

It's simple and once done removes the worry about filters. You are free to use your equiptment and focus on the image!

-- Tony Oresteen (aoresteen@mindspring.com), April 23, 2002.

Thanks Tony,

That's what I meant, viewfinder iso rangefinder.

-- Harro de Wilde (hdewilde@uni-one.nl), April 23, 2002.

The simple answer is that B&H sells step-up rings and they are cheap. Around $6 I think. I use one on my 28 Elmarit-R to go from the 48 to 55 that the rest of my R lenses use. How you use them and how many combinations you need can get more complicated. Cheers.

-- Gil Pruitt (wgpinc@yahoo.com), April 23, 2002.

Using E60 filters on most M lenses would not occlude the viewfinder any more than the 21pre-ASPH or Noctilux or 75/1.4 which all take E60 filters, but those lenses block the viewfinder quite markedly. The other problem with E60 filters is that stepping adaptors I have found listed in only 3 sizes: 60-62, 60-58 and 60-55, and I have yet to find anyone with the 60-58 in stock. To use E60 filters on typical Leica M lenses of E39, E41, E43, E46, E49 would require 60-55 and then 55-? to be stacked, and most likely with the wider angle lenses this would cause vignetting. This would probably happen even with the E55 lenses 21ASPH and Tri-Elmar v.1 @ 28 and 35mm with just one step-down adaptor.

I've also got the same problem: E39 (50/2), E46 (35/1.4ASPH and 90/2.8), E49 (135/3.4 APO), and E55 (21ASPH and Tri-Elmar). That's why when I hike I take my previous Leica lens kit, where the 35-50-90- 135 all take E39 (and the small swing-out polarizer) and only the 21/3.4 takes the oddball E48 (but I basically don't use any filters other than a UV on it).

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 23, 2002.