CL owners, please help.

A

aprea

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ok so im new to leicas, well owning a leica atleast, and i want to get a new filter. now i have the 5.5 series with the rubber hood for my 40 summicron, but honestly i dont really like the rubber hood at all, and especially the large push on cap i have to fit over the hood when its folded in. all i really need is a uv protection filter, just something to protect the lens. im pretty sure ive tryed fitting a 39mm filter on it and it didnt screw in well. anyone have any advice? what filters are you using?
 
First things first: That lens has a b*stard filter thread. I don't remember exactly what it's called, but about every normal accessory out there will not fit it properly.

Second thing: (Maybe I'm stating the obvious, but for the benefit of those who've never handled this lens...) The lens was *designed* to work with Series 5.5 (also seen as Series 5-1/2) filters. These filters have plain edges with no threads. On the CL's proprietary 40mm Summicron, the lens hood ring is designed to hold them in place.

These is an option to using the hood and 5.5s, though; at least, so I've read. Either B&W or Leica, possibly both, have made screw-in filters for this lens in the exact thread required. They're not common, and I think I remember one member here had to special-order them through his camera shop. If you have a credit card and do mail-order, I bet those pirates at Tamarkin or B&H would be able to get them for you. But you'll pay stupid money for them.

You asked what we use. Well, I use the collapsing rubber hood, and 5.5s on the rare occasion when I do need a filter. Normally shoot without one.

The hood is ALWAYS on. I happen to adore the stupid rubber hood and its cap, because I do a lot of pocket carry. It's fragile, though.

Hope this helps. More questions, just ask.
 
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The Minolta and Leica lenses have different threads, SRB did make an adapter ring, to allow the normal 39mm filters.
The normal 39mm filter has a thread pitch of 0.5, the CL lens hood is 39mm x 0.75.
You can get the normal filter to grip is you are very careful, but sods law it is just as likely to jam solid. this was not one of Leicas better ideas!!!
Try to get an adapter if you can, it also allows the clamp on polariser to fit the 40mm lens.
 
Folks--
Maybe I'm risking the ire of Wetzlar, but I use standard 39mm filters on this lens and the 90mm Elmar-C, and they don't fall off. Likewise 39mm metal lens shades from Heavystar, I think. They don't screw on far, but enough. I have a tiny bit of vaseline on the threads of my filters and shades.
--SF
 
Santafecino said:
...I use standard 39mm filters on this lens and the 90mm Elmar-C, and they don't fall off... They don't screw on far, but enough.
Click to expand...

Cameraquest sell a metal hood with the standard thread, and they offer it as an alternative for this lens. They basically say the same thing, that it's tight after a half turn. As someone who's had stuff totally ruined by cross-threading and mis-matched threads, though, I wouldn't care to risk it. Fine-pitched threads are so easy to bugger...
 
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