A36 UV (or U.V.a) filter

[MrRom92]

Is there any difference between these two? Trying to find a suitable UV filter and I’ve seen some labeled both ways, from both Leitz Wetzlar and NY

I’ve also seen some that seem to have a slight tint to them. Was this intentional or is this due to age? I imagine these would not be suitable for use with color film.

 

[ellisson]

Is there any difference between these two? Trying to find a suitable UV filter and I’ve seen some labeled both ways, from both Leitz Wetzlar and NY

I’ve also seen some that seem to have a slight tint to them. Was this intentional or is this due to age? I imagine these would not be suitable for use with color film.

The older 'UV' filters incompletely block UV light (< 70%), and discoloration can be noted. Filters labeled UVa, UV1a, UV-010, UV(0), more completely block UV wavelengths and "haze" that causes blue discoloration. If shooting near a large body of water or other areas with more UV exposure, UV2a filters (a.k.a. UV2b, UV-415...) block virtually all UV wavelengths (UVA, UVB - very little UVC gets through the atmosphere). Better filters are the UVa, UV-010 filters. That is, once you decide to use filters: separate discussion!

BTW, If you are shooting with an A36 lens, there are adapters available, though not exactly cheap, such as the Leica SOOGZ adapter, that clamp on and let you use the much more common 39mm filters. I use one of these on my Summaron 35mm f3.5 lens. It also lets you use a variety of hoods that fit 39mm filter thread lenses.

 

[charjohncarter]

Thanks for your answer, many of us 'grew up' with put an UV filter (or Skylight filter whatever that was/is) on your lens (and didn't even know that there were differences), but we really never knew why.

 

[MrRom92]

Yes, I typically keep a Hoya skylight 1B on all of my more “normal” lenses, however the Elmar had to be a bit special when it comes to filters and make everything difficult! There are 19mm threaded filters for it, but I find these to be a hassle. They typically interfere with using the lens cap.

I also have a 19mm step up so I can use larger threaded filters of pretty much any size on the Elmar, though it’s a bit unwieldy! So it only sees occasional use, as needed. I wouldn’t want to leave it on the lens. Nor would I want to even pocket the camera with a large filter threaded in.

I like the clamp-on A36 filters and find them to be much more practical, though adjusting the aperture through them is a small nightmare - I tend to not play with that too much while shooting anyway.

I pretty much keep the yellow 2 “FIGAM” on my Elmar whenever shooting black & white. But sometimes I don’t want to lose a stop of light. And of course this is a complete no-go with color film, unless you happen to really like yellow… thus why I’m trying to find a good, optically clear A36 UV (or equivalent)

 

[ellisson]

If you are shooting with one of the modern films or on a digital sensor, UV light will not alter your images like it would on old films that would haze up and affect IQ. As you probably know, digital sensors are not much affected by UV. So for color images, you could use pretty much any type of UV filter or as many would argue, none! Protecting the lens front element is another issue.....

 

[MrRom92]

That is really my main concern, you can never be too cautious. These lenses are 70+ years old now, I’d hate for something to happen to mine! I’d be devastated. Normally I wouldn’t care and I haven’t really “needed” the protection up to this point either, but you never want to be without it when you do need it… especially in some scenarios where you can’t really control the environment you’re shooting in…

 

[charjohncarter]

If you are shooting with one of the modern films or on a digital sensor, UV light will not alter your images like it would on old films that would haze up and affect IQ. As you probably know, digital sensors are not much affected by UV. So for color images, you could use pretty much any type of UV filter or as many would argue, none! Protecting the lens front element is another issue.....

Excellent, this is NEW(est) Trix and I can see you are right (no filter):

Trix at 200 HC-110h by John Carter, on Flickr