Filter/Hood questions.

[Stephanie Brim]

I've decided that I'd like to have a hood and some filters for my Sonnar. I have a feeling it's going to become my most used lens. That being the case, I'm trying to figure out the most cost-effective way to go about filter hunting.

40.5mm filters are a PITA to find. I've been thinking of step-up rings. Good option? Maybe I should go with a Series adapter or something? I don't know.

Also, what would be my best hood option? I'd rather a metal hood.

 

[ferider]

40.5 is very common, Steph, due to the Jupiter lenses having the same
size. Look on ebay, or if you want st better on B+H.

Roland.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Ooooh. I thought they were hard to find. Okay, then that changes things.

The B+W glass filters that are not multi-coated seem to be the best deal, but how much better are the multi-coated versions?

 

[ferider]

Ooooh. I thought they were hard to find. Okay, then that changes things.

The B+W glass filters that are not multi-coated seem to be the best deal, but how much better are the multi-coated versions?

They are very good (single coated) and will fit your Opton well ...

For a hood, heavystar has multiple ones.

Roland.

 

[uhligfd]

How good are the multicoated ones and are they necessary., you ask.

I would think one would not want to take some abrasive, scub, and thereby take off the coating on the lens to find out? Would one. So, if you want multicoats on a lens, you want multicoats on a filter. Unless you look for a 30's look of flare, whiteouts etc. Is your Sonnar that old?

You cannot have a "best deal" and a good camera. That is a clash of objectives, Stephanie.

Buy the best filter, B+H multicoat, Heliopan multicoat that there are and never look back at the expense.

 

[oftheherd]

How good are the multicoated ones and are they necessary., you ask.

I would think one would not want to take some abrasive, scub, and thereby take off the coating on the lens to find out? Would one. So, if you want multicoats on a lens, you want multicoats on a filter. Unless you look for a 30's look of flare, whiteouts etc. Is your Sonnar that old?

You cannot have a "best deal" and a good camera. That is a clash of objectives, Stephanie.

Buy the best filter, B+H multicoat, Heliopan multicoat that there are and never look back at the expense.

A lot of truth in that. Except that I don't recall having a problem with that. I guess the multicoating of my lenses took care of most of the problem. Now the first two aux lenses I bought were so bad, I had to compensate by getting good at artistically including flare in my photos. 😀 😀

 

[micromontenegro]

I have found Heavystar hoods quite satisfactory... and very reasonably priced

 

[ferider]

I don't think Steph's Opton is multi-coated.

Roland.

 

[Ducky]

Heavystar is good. American Eagle (americaneagle camera on the bay) is also good, sometimes cheaper. Both sell S & W hoods.

 

[drmatthes]

Steph,

having made an experience that you mentioned being afraid of, I must add that you are certainly right with the PITA remark in one special situation: One should NOT try and simply buy a modern 40.5 mm filter for a pre-war Sonnar without trying it on the lens. That was what I was about to do at a photo fair in Hannover last year, when one of the old experts told me that it would not mount - and it didn't.

When in comes to filters on pre-war Sonnars, it is not only the diameter of the filter but obviously also the steepness of its thread mount that matters (like in M42 and T2 mounts for some lenses).

For most B&W purposes, I switched over to A42 slip-on filters and hoods - until I noticed that Voigtlaender E40.5 post-war filters and hoods fitted as well.

It might be sound to see a local photo gear dealer first. Sometimes they have these boxes or drawers full of used or outdated filters, to give it a try.

Jesko

 

[drmatthes]

Addendum:

Using a good sharp contrasty multi-coated nicely bokeh'd and-so-on lens is easy.

When it comes to the challenge, it's first using a good sharp contrasty single-coated nicely..., then a good... uncoated, then a lensbaby, then a Holga, then a pinhole, and afterwards you end up being Willie Shakespeare in front of a beautiful motif:

"Since I saw you, mine eye is in my mind." (Didn't John Updike say something similar about sex?)😀

But as far as Steph and her projects (as far as I can recall them) are concerned, she might be just taking the challenge the other way 'round😉

Filters? What filters?