15/4.5 ASPH Super Wide Heliar filters.

S

stevew

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I've tried searching, but there's about a million posts with these keywords.

I remember someone talking about gluing an adapter ring to the lens to mount filters (i thought 39mm). Does anyone remember anything about it. I've thought about picking up one of these 15's but would hate to have to use 77mm filters.
 
You could use a 49mm to 72mm adapter. I have a few around. Glue a little material to the inside and it will fit. BUT! Darker filters will cause serious vignetting because of the diagonal direction of the light travelling to the edges of the image. Diagonal means more distance through (dark) glass means light fall off.
There is no way you can use smaller filter glass. What kind of filter would you want to use?
 
As I remember the filter fix using 39mm filters only works on digital cameras; it vignettes on full frame 35mm.
Also from my memory, you have to remove the glass from the threaded ring and use a piece of rubber shim to keep the filter from contacting the front element of the lens.
At any rate, I hope you find something that works for you! And if you come up with a new solution to the problem, let the rest of us know.
 
Filters!!!!!!!!

Filters!!!!!!!!

I remember an old thread about someone doing the adapting. I would be using yellow or orange filters. I have a pretty good range of sizes, but it seems silly to use the 77mm filter adapter for the 12mm lens on a small lens. Part of the reason of using rangefinders is the compact size.
 
Adapter!!!!

Adapter!!!!

I don't have the lens at present, so I don't know how far it protrudes into the camera body. I thought about machining an adapter for gel filters that would mount on the back of the lens if there is enough clearance.
 
Sadly filters smaller than 77mm vignette even with the back of the filter element virtually in contact with the built in hood. So bulky, but necessary.
 
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

Smaller would be nice, I hate the bulk of my DSLR's and enjoy the compactness of rf's and the lack of menu's.
 
This subject comes up regularly, the most recent one here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51189&highlight=Cokin+A300

My solution is a Cokin A300 filter adapter which screws on to the tripod socket and allows the placement of a Cokin A Series filter in front of the lens. Neither the filter nor the bracket enters the field of view of the 15mm lens, but you need to be careful with light reflecting off the rear surface of the filter.
 
That's an interesting solution wotalegend. I guess it wouldn't work with Leicas (or any body with an off-set tripod mount) but it's a great idea for the Bessas. Do you have a shot of it mounted onto one of your cameras?
 
mr_phillip said:
That's an interesting solution wotalegend. I guess it wouldn't work with Leicas (or any body with an off-set tripod mount) but it's a great idea for the Bessas. Do you have a shot of it mounted onto one of your cameras?
Click to expand...

I must admit I hadn't even thought of using the A300 on a Leica because my 15/4.5 is permanently resident on a Bessa-L. It does have a series of slots on the base to allow for a variety of tripod bush positions, but the maximum offset allowed is 42mm. The offset on my M3 is 65mm.

Attached are two pictures I took today. The first one is the A300 by itself, clearly showing the slotted base. The second one is of the A300 mounted on the Bessa-L, with a Cokin A001 yellow filter on the front. There is a Cokin clip-on hood available but it may enter the image area of the 15. My solution to that problem is to wear a broad brimmed hat, which also minimises the problem of light reflections off the rear surface of the filter.

All of these items are available at B&H (except the hat :) ) but I obtained mine cheaper on the 'bay.

Cheers, Peter.
 

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Well that's nice and simple. No fabrication required!
You could even cut the filters down so there's no more to them than is really needed.
The assembly I put together (uses round 77mm filters) obscures a good part of the viewfinder's perspective, but it does allow glass filters and no light can bounce off the back of the filter.
Come to think of it, the tip of my nose also obscures some of the viewfinder's perspective when I try to shoot a vertical...
 
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Just as an update I thought I'd mention that in the end I improvised a filter adaptor using a pair of step-up rings and some spare light seal foam. I used a 48-58mm ring (with the foam applied to the inside) + a 58-72mm. The 72mm filter appears to be plenty wide enough and vignetting appears to be much less than I expected. Total cost (excluding filters) under $6.
 
I solved this problem with some P-series Cokin filters and several adapters I already had. I put some electrical tape on the inside edge of one of the adapter rings and just slid it over the lens barrell. This worked well for the infrared shots in my gallery.
 
I use a 72mm filter with a especially made filter adapter for this lens.

346523423_1bc1182336.jpg
 
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