M8 with CV lenses and IR-cut filters?

[JohnL]

I really, really would like to get an M8, but so far have been scared off by the ISSUES. However, overall, I am beginning to get the sense that most of the problems are slowly being worked through. I'll probably take another few months to pluck up courage, but there are a few questions I have ...

With the M7, I use CV lenses (28/3.5, 35/1.2 and 2.5, 50/2.5 and 90/3.5), and I'm *very* satisfied with them. I don't use filters very much - I only have a polarizer and a CC filter, but when I do I find I cannot use the lens hoods easily (or at all).

If I had an M8, I'd consider getting the CV 21/4. All these lenses except the 35/1.2 take 39mm filters. The 35/1.2 takes 52mm filters. My questions:

1 Does anyone know if Leica supplies (or will supply) 39mm IR-cut filters? I could be wrong, but I suspect most Leica lenses are not this size. If yes, do the CV lens hoods fit over them?

2 The only 3rd-party IR-cut filters I know of are the B+W 486 filters. These do come in 39mm, I believe, but availability may be tricky. Do the CV lens hoods fit over them?

3 Same as question 1, but for 52mm Leica filters on the 35/1.2 lens.

4 Same as question 2, but for 52mm B+W filters on the 35/1.2 lens.

One other question on vignetting - both plain vanilla and red vignetting (aka "cyan drift"): can this issue be handled in post-processing, and if so, what are the recommended software options?

 

[Eric T]

I see 52mm IR filters here:
http://www.camerafilters.com/pages/ir.aspx

 

[Ben Z]

I really, really would like to get an M8, but so far have been scared off by the ISSUES.

I'm with you on both counts.

However, overall, I am beginning to get the sense that most of the problems are slowly being worked through.

You lost me there. There are so many varied glitches being reported right now that it's unclear which, if any, are global and which, if any, are individual cameras. It's also unclear which, if any, can be fixed in firmware and which, if any, will require service back in Germany. Finally it's unclear when (or if) Leica will have a firmware upgrade. And of course the need for IR filters will not be solved until the sensor's UV filter is replaced.

I'll probably take another few months to pluck up courage

We're back on the same track again.

1 Does anyone know if Leica supplies (or will supply) 39mm IR-cut filters? I could be wrong, but I suspect most Leica lenses are not this size

.

Fortunately you are wrong. 39mm is one of Leica's historically more prevalent filter sizes, and 5 of the current lenses ( the new 28 Elmarit-ASPH, 35 Summicron-ASPH, 50 Summicron, 50 Elmar, and 90 Macro Elmar) take that size. Leica will surely buy-in IR filters in that size.

If yes, do the CV lens hoods fit over them?

I have the 21mm Voitlander and both the useless ring-type hood and the rectangular one fit over a Leica or B+W filter. I don't know about any others, my other Voitlander lenses are 15 and 12 and the 28 Ultron.

One other question on vignetting - both plain vanilla and red vignetting (aka "cyan drift"): can this issue be handled in post-processing, and if so, what are the recommended software options?

Panorama Tools (free plugin available in 8 or 16 bit) does a bang-up job of correcting the cyan vignetting, and can correct regular vignetting too, but I like CS2's vignetting correction better for plain-jane falloff. That said, vignetting is lens-specific, and without coding to supply EXIF data you will have to guess which shot was made with which lens, then batch them together yourself, before you can apply an action. Of course the coding isn't completely a panacea, because it doesn't relay the lens aperture to the firmware, and "plain" vignetting is also aperture-specific, so the best the in-camera processing can do is apply an average value based on the type of lens.

 

[scho]

I use a 46mm B+W 486 on my Ultron and a 43mm B+W 486 on both my 75mm Color-Heliar and 40mm Nokton. Still trying to find a 39mm filter for my other lenses. No problems so far with lens hood fit.

 

[kbg32]

I use both CV - 12, 15, 21, 28, 35, and 50 and Leica 21, 28, 135 lenses on my M8. Leica will supply IR cut filters in 39mm size. I have one on order from them and bought a couple my my dealer. The CV lenses work fine.

 

[Andy Aitken]

Erm, when you buy your M8 (which you should) those nice people at Leica will send you 2, yes 2, 39mm IR cut filters or indeed some other sizes if you like.

I'm pretty sure delivery is imminent on these as I called Leica yesterday to see if I could change my choice of filter size but was told it was too late.

 

[JohnL]

Ben

Many thanks ... really useful ...

I'm with you on both counts.
...
You lost me there. There are so many varied glitches being reported right now that it's unclear which, if any, are global and which, if any, are individual cameras. It's also unclear which, if any, can be fixed in firmware and which, if any, will require service back in Germany. Finally it's unclear when (or if) Leica will have a firmware upgrade. And of course the need for IR filters will not be solved until the sensor's UV filter is replaced.

Maybe I'm unduly optimistic! Your last point is very true, but so far I am getting the impression that the UV filters are considered at least a semi-definitive solution. If I got wind of a sensor modification with a stronger IR filter, I'd definitely wait for it ... which is why it probably won't be announced far in advance.

We're back on the same track again.
...
Fortunately you are wrong. 39mm is one of Leica's historically more prevalent filter sizes, and 5 of the current lenses ( the new 28 Elmarit-ASPH, 35 Summicron-ASPH, 50 Summicron, 50 Elmar, and 90 Macro Elmar) take that size. Leica will surely buy-in IR filters in that size.

Glad to hear it!

I have the 21mm Voitlander and both the useless ring-type hood and the rectangular one fit over a Leica or B+W filter. I don't know about any others, my other Voitlander lenses are 15 and 12 and the 28 Ultron.

Good news. Actually, I use the useless hoods most of the time, although I do have better hoods for the 35's and 50, but they don't often seem to make much difference. The 90 has a good hood right out of the box.

Panorama Tools (free plugin available in 8 or 16 bit) does a bang-up job of correcting the cyan vignetting, and can correct regular vignetting too, but I like CS2's vignetting correction better for plain-jane falloff. That said, vignetting is lens-specific, and without coding to supply EXIF data you will have to guess which shot was made with which lens, then batch them together yourself, before you can apply an action. Of course the coding isn't completely a panacea, because it doesn't relay the lens aperture to the firmware, and "plain" vignetting is also aperture-specific, so the best the in-camera processing can do is apply an average value based on the type of lens.

Many thanks. I'll check these out.

 

[JohnL]

Eric, Scho, Keith, Andy ...

Many thanks ...