Leica LTM Which filter size for the Summitar?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
raid

raid

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It may be useful to list the filter sizes for the classic Leica 50mm lenses here. Your help is appreciated.

I never use filters with RF lenses, but I want to use a filter with the Summitar. It took me forever tonight to find a OMAG K42 Switzerland filter that can be fit over the front of the Summitar. I don't know what this filter is for as it looks different from a UV filter and it is not colored. It does have a purple tint when letting light hit the front of the filter.

1. Summar
2. Summitar
3. Summarit
4. Summicron collapsible
5. Summicron rigid
 
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A 50/2 Collapsible Summicron takes a good old 39mm filter. I imagine the same for the Rigid and every 50/2 Summicron since.

The filters that I use are only an orange or a yellow-green since I don't like to carry much with an 35mm RF.
 
Tiffen made a filter adaptor for the Summitar. It slips over the end of the lens and allows use of Series VI filters. These appear on eBay now and then.

It is a bit bulky but does allow use of the easier to find (easier than the special taper-thread Leitz Summitar filters) Series VI filters.
 
The Summitar takes a unique 36mm tapered filter that screws directly into it. As others have said, adapters are available, but I've had no trouble in finding the original filters and fitting them when needed. I always have the UVA filter on it.
 
Thanks for the information. I will look for a UV filter and/or and adapter for the Summitar.
 
John Lawrence said:
The Summitar takes a unique 36mm tapered filter that screws directly into it. As others have said, adapters are available, but I've had no trouble in finding the original filters and fitting them when needed. I always have the UVA filter on it.
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I was considering getting an engineering firm to knock up a few Summitar filter adaptors - but I no longer have a Summitar (or filter) to measure from.
 
raid said:
Thanks for the information. I will look for a UV filter and/or and adapter for the Summitar.
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I'm also looking for a Summitar UV or SL (skylight) but they can sometimes be a bit pricey. A mint one (which I bid on and lost) just went for over $50 on the bay. :bang:
 
raydm6 said:
I'm also looking for a Summitar UV or SL (skylight) but they can sometimes be a bit pricey. A mint one (which I bid on and lost) just went for over $50 on the bay. :bang:
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I tend to find these days that items such as these on Ebay often sell for more than from a dealer. I paid around about the sterling equivalent of $35 for mine from:

www.peterloy.co.uk

According to his website, he has a few Summitar filters in stock at present - but no UVA.
 
I usually don't use any filters with RF lenses, but I am in the process of [again] exploring the use of filters for B&W photography.
 
Peter_Jones said:
Or buy a scratched/broken/odd-coloured cheap one, and get an optician to cut down a B+W UV glass to fit. Worth considering ?
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I have a filter that slides on the front of a Summitar, with a tightening screw. If the glass in this filter is not good, I will renove it, and then I will use filters that mount on the filter mount of the first filter.
 
Summitar filters

Summitar filters

I was fortunate to pick up a SNHOO filter adapter from Ritz Collectible Cameras (Arizona) a while back. I use standard E39 screw-in filters (UV and yellows) with the SNHOO.

Ritz usually has a few of the unique tapered E36 "for summitar" filters for sale. Check out his webcatalog:

http://www.ritzcam.com/catalog/index.php?category_id=510

Good luck!
rt :)
 
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S.K. Grimes makes a reproduction of the SNHOO as a stock item. Cheaper than the real thing.

Coated Summitar filters are hard to find, uncoated ones easy. Mine is coated, but I generally leave an uncoated UV on it anyway, since the coating is so incredibly fragile.

Summar uses 34mm screw-in, or A36 clamp-on.

Summarit is 41mm, or a special external mount.
 
John Shriver said:
S.K. Grimes makes a reproduction of the SNHOO as a stock item. Cheaper than the real thing.

Coated Summitar filters are hard to find, uncoated ones easy. Mine is coated, but I generally leave an uncoated UV on it anyway, since the coating is so incredibly fragile.

Summar uses 34mm screw-in, or A36 clamp-on.

Summarit is 41mm, or a special external mount.
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I've dealt with S. K. Grimes in the past for work on view camera lenses and shutters. They are a competent, first class outfit.
 
There are today 4-5 filters listed on ebay for the Summitar. The prices are around $30 plus $5 for shipping.
 
John Shriver said:
S.K. Grimes makes a reproduction of the SNHOO as a stock item. Cheaper than the real thing.

Coated Summitar filters are hard to find, uncoated ones easy. Mine is coated, but I generally leave an uncoated UV on it anyway, since the coating is so incredibly fragile.

Summar uses 34mm screw-in, or A36 clamp-on.

Summarit is 41mm, or a special external mount.
Click to expand...

Correct: very difficult to find a coated UV filter for the Summitar (the tapered kind); I have two, one coated and another uncoated. I also have the Summitar-to-39mm adapter, and was very lucky to get it for about $25 in virtually new condition. It's on my Summitar all the time; a chrome UV/IR filter and I'm all set :D

It's a lot easier to find a filter for the Summar than the Summarit; I also have two A36 clamp-on to 39mm adapters. I have a few screw-in 41mm Summarit filters (coated UV and lime-yellow) and a "slip-on" Skylight filter. Believe it or not, a 40.5mm filter will fit in nicely in the Summarit filter thread.
 
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