Filter sizes and thread pitches

[jonmanjiro]

Here's a list of the filter sizes and thread pitches of the vintage RF Nikkors up to 13.5cm, the two modern RF Nikkors, and the eight Cosina Voigtlander lenses in S-mount.

If you spot any errors, let me know.

Edited to add: the list is now complete!

Vintage Nikkors

Wides
2.1cm f4 - filter diameter = 43 mm, pitch = 0.50mm
2.5cm f4 - filter diameter = no filter thread
2.8cm f3.5 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.50mm
3.5cm f1.8 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.50mm
3.5cm f2.5 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.50mm
3.5cm f3.5 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.50mm

Normals
5cm f1.1 - filter diameter = 62mm, pitch = 0.50mm
5cm f1.4 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.50mm
50mm f1.4 Olympic - filter diameter 43mm, pitch = 0.50mm
5cm f1.5 - filter diameter = 40.5mm, pitch = 0.50mm
5cm f2 - filter diameter = 40.5mm, pitch = 0.50mm
5cm f3.5 micro - filter diameter = 34.5mm, pitch = 0.50mm

Teles
8.5cm f1.5 - filter diameter = no filter thread
8.5cm f2 - filter diameter = 48mm, pitch = 0.50mm
10.5cm f2.5 - filter diameter = 52mm, pitch = 0.50mm
10.5cm f4 - filter diameter = 34.5mm, pitch = 0.50mm
13.5cm f3.5 - filter diameter = 43 mm, pitch = 0.50mm
13.5cm f4 - filter diameter = 40.5mm, pitch = 0.50mm

Modern Nikkors

3.5cm f1.8 2005 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.75mm
50mm f1.4 Millenium - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.75mm

Cosina Voigtlander Lenses in Nikon S-mount

Wides
Skopar 21/4 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.75mm
Skopar 25/4 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.75mm
Skopar 28/3.5 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.75mm
Skopar 35/2.5 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.75mm

Normals
Nokton 50/1.5 - filter diameter = 52mm, pitch = 0.75mm
Skopar 50/2.5 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.75mm
Heliar 50/3.5 - filter diameter = 27mm, pitch = 0.75mm

Tele
Apo Lanther 85/3.5 - filter diameter = 39mm, pitch = 0.75mm

 

[goliathus]

Here is a filter information chart for Nikon vintage lenses, but no pitch ~ 🙁
And 2.1cm is also missed, I guess that this chart had came out before a 2.1cm was produced.

 

[Captain]

This is a timely thread, I was thinking about starting a similar one. Muchly needed.

So the 2 New Nikkors changed the pitch from the originals? I wouldnt have expected that?

 

[wes loder]

The 21mm f4 Nikkor in RF mount took 43mm filters.
The 25mm f4 has no filter threads. It can take series VII filters in the filter holder-cum-sunshade only. That attachment bayonets onto two lugs.
The 35mm f1.8 has two sets of threads. The inner takes 43mm. The outer takes 48mm. Since the two sets are at the same plane, you can't screw a 48mm filter on. That is for the sunshade.
The 50mm f2 takes 40.5mm filters, the same as Zeiss Contax normals. The 50mm f1.5 Nikkor takes 40.5mm filters.
The 50mm f3.5 micro takes 34.5mm filters.
The 85mm f1.5 has a 60mm front thread, but that is only for the sunshade/series filter holder (Series VIII).
The 105mm f4 takes 34.5mm filters.
The 135mm f4 Nikkor in focusing mount from 1948 takes 40.5mm filters, same as the Zeiss equivalent. The 135mm f3.5 takes 43mm filters EXCEPT some of the very earliest which have no front filter threads at all. These only can take Series VII filters in the slip-on sunshade.

Now, here is where it gets complicated: The 25mm, the 28mm and both of the smaller 35s in Leica thread take 34.5mm accessories. The 85mm f1.5 in Leica thread takes 58mm filters. Hope this helps, WES

 

[jonmanjiro]

Thank you Wes!

Now the only one missing is the CV 85/3.5. Anyone know what size it is?

 

[ferider]

Thank you Wes!

Now the only one missing is the CV 85/3.5. Anyone know what size it is?

39mm


.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The metric system used to be based on the size of the Earth, a meter was originally defined as one Ten-millionth of the distance from the Equator to the North Pole. By 1800, apparently this was recognized as being a problem. The standard is now based on the speed of light in a Vacuum.

This last change was made in 1983! I was still using a Helium-Neon Laser! Glad this thread came up!

http://www.mel.nist.gov/div821/museum/timeline.htm

 

[Captain]

I just spoke to to the Voigtlander and B+W agents here in Australia and they categorically state that the pitch of the Heliar S is 0.5. But that simply would be at odds with every other Voigtlander lens being .75.

 

[selma-1]

I talked to Sephen Gandy and he didn't know and the U.S.A B+W factory rep did not know. Correct me if im wrong. But my findings on the Voigtlnander Heliar 50mm F3.5 lens that I own, in Nikon Rangefinder Mount is 0.75 on the lens and 0.50 on the hood. Thus to use a B+W filter requires a 27mm E. 0.75 on the rear thread of the filter and 0.50 on the front of the filter so the hood will fit. I have found Voigtlander to make a few new items, like two different bubble levels and different coatings on the 35mm and 28mm metal finders. It is possoble that the screw in hood was made in both threads just to fool us??? I only solved the filter problem on mine by purchasing three filters and returning one. The B+w 27mm digital pro is just an extra filter to me now and could not be returned. All three fit the lens but only one fit the lens hood!

 

[Captain]

Although not modern multicoated filters, I just purchased 2 Zeiss Ikon UV and Skylight 27mm chrome filters and they fit the Heliar perfectly and the hood also screws into the filter perfectly as well. Their high chrome finish suits the Heliar exactly. So if your looking for a filter the original Ikon ones can be had for a few dollars.

 

[kjoosten]

Here's a list of the filter sizes and thread pitches of the vintage RF Nikkors up to 13.5cm, the two modern RF Nikkors, and the eight Cosina Voigtlander lenses in S-mount.

If you spot any errors, let me know.

Edited to add: the list is now complete!

Vintage Nikkors

Normals
5cm f1.4 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.50mm

Cosina Voigtlander Lenses in Nikon S-mount

Wides
Skopar 35/2.5 - filter diameter = 43mm, pitch = 0.75mm

Hmm.. I've got a 43mm B+W F-Pro filter which mounts perfectly on both these lenses. Wouldn't expect it to if the pitches were significanly different.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Hmm.. I've got a 43mm B+W F-Pro filter which mounts perfectly on both these lenses. Wouldn't expect it to if the pitches were significanly different.

I have three 48mm Kenko filters (UV, skylight, W2) (pitch = 0.75mm) purchased new just a few months ago. On my 8.5cm f2 (pitch = 0.50mm), the W2 screws in fully without resistance, the skylight screws in fully but there is some slight resistance, and the UV only screws in half way. The 48mm aftermarket hood (pitch = 0.75mm) I got also only screws into the lens half way, but does screw into all three filters completely.

Go figure 😕

 

[kjoosten]

I have three 48mm Kenko filters (UV, skylight, W2) (pitch = 0.75mm) purchased new just a few months ago. On my 8.5cm f2 (pitch = 0.50mm), the W2 screws in fully without resistance, the skylight screws in fully but there is some slight resistance, and the UV only screws in half way. The 48mm aftermarket hood (pitch = 0.75mm) I got also only screws into the lens half way, but does screw into all three filters completely.

Go figure 😕

Sounds like the tolerances exceed the difference in thread pitch 😕

 

[sanmich]

I talked to Sephen Gandy and he didn't know and the U.S.A B+W factory rep did not know. Correct me if im wrong. But my findings on the Voigtlnander Heliar 50mm F3.5 lens that I own, in Nikon Rangefinder Mount is 0.75 on the lens and 0.50 on the hood. Thus to use a B+W filter requires a 27mm E. 0.75 on the rear thread of the filter and 0.50 on the front of the filter so the hood will fit. I have found Voigtlander to make a few new items, like two different bubble levels and different coatings on the 35mm and 28mm metal finders. It is possoble that the screw in hood was made in both threads just to fool us??? I only solved the filter problem on mine by purchasing three filters and returning one. The B+w 27mm digital pro is just an extra filter to me now and could not be returned. All three fit the lens but only one fit the lens hood!

Selma

Could you tell us what is the exact designation of the B+W filter that works with the heliar?
Do you think this is the same thread as the LTM mount heliar 3.5?

Thanks

 

[ampguy]

BW 43s, and Hakuba 43s work on CVs and Summilux E43s.

However Leica filters don't fit on .75 pitch 43s.

With the E43 Leica's, and hoods, you're stuck with their thin filters though, while the BWs and Hakubas fith, they're too thick for the hoods.

 

[Mister E]

I sure remember the 8.5cm f/1.5 having filter threads.

 

[menos]

8.5cm f1.5 - filter diameter = no filter thread

The L39 version of the 8.5cm f1.5 Nikkor has a 58mm filter size.
I suppose the S mount Nikkor will have the same as it shares the lens head?

There were different shade attachments with v1 and v2 of the lens - any differences in filter thread (I suppose not).
Mine has an attachment with two small opposing screws for a metal bayonet hood to fit (I don't have the hood unfortunately).
I have a v1 lens.

 

[Capt. E]

While I have an old set of Walz 43mm filters with the correct thread pitch, I usually use the Series VII hood that came with my S-2 when I purchased it. I find dropping in a series VII filter to be easier. I can even change the hood and filter from 5cm to 3.5cm easily. It is also useable on my 13.5cm lens (though that lens usually get the Walz set).

 

[wes loder]

8.5cm f1.5 filters

8.5cm f1.5 filters

The Leica-thread version takes 58mm screw-on filters. I believe that 58mm was a common Leica size—but not a Nikon size. The S mount version is NOT 58mm but 60mm. But Nikon did not make any 60mm filters. It expected owners to use Series VIII filters in the lens hood.
Nikon promoted series filters until the mid-Fifties when it became apparent that 1) very few photographers liked series filters since they required additional parts and 2) more photographers were moving to color and wanted UV filters that would stay on the lens front most of the time. Series VII (2 inch) was their old standard, but then Nikon decided to go with 43mm (with well-known exceptions).
Cheers, WES

 

[Capt. E]

slip on metal caps are different sizes

slip on metal caps are different sizes

Kind of a separate issue, but I just noticed that the slip-on metal cap for the 5cm 1.4 is 46mm and the same style cap for the 3.5cm and 13.5cm lenses was 45mm. I guess I never noticed until recently mainly because I don't use them, but the 43mm clip-on cap instead. The slip-on caps keep falling off and try and get lost.