Filters for Older Summilux

[SteveHicks]

Hello All,

I have always wanted to try one of the Summilux lenes on my M2 and M3. Recently, I purchased from KEH an older verson of this lens (50mm) S.N. 1759062, which I believe is the first version of this design.

I have run a roll through my M3 comparing alternating shots between this lens and my CV Nokton ASHP 50mm f1.5. I am very pleased with the Summilux.

Here's my question for all you Summilux shooters. My lens came with a metal shade that is held in place by a grove around the front barrel. This grove accepts spring loaded pins in the shade. It works great, but when I place a filter on the front, the pins in the shade will no longer reach this groove. I would like to use this lens with my yellow filters.

What have any others done to use this shade/lens combo with filters?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Rob-F]

I used my Dremel moto-tool to cut a groove in the filter ring. The shade then clamps to the filter instead of the lens. But you know, I tend to leave the filter off when shooting in low light, to avoid unnecessary reflections.

 

[Rob-F]

This is how it looks with the hood installed on the filter.

 

[John Elder]

I have the same lens and Had the same problem. Only the leica 43mm filter will allow the hood to clip into place correctly. B+W, all versions, will not work. The leitz filter has the groove in the filter which allows the use of the hood. This is a tough filter to find. Look at KevinCameras, and maybe B+H has them New.

 

[John Elder]

I juat checked 6 different places, the only place with a leica(leitz) e43mm filter is KevinCameras. He has one for 65 bucks which isn't bad. On his site , click on "Leica Misc" , then scroll down that page on lower left corner you will see "filter" , click on that and 2/3 down on first page you will find a e43mm uva filter which is what you want. My advice is to just buy it,. If you wait for a better deal, it could be a year. I know!

 

[John Elder]

Just checked again KevinCameras, On 2nd page of Leica filters he has a black Leica E43mm (M-) for 45 bucks. Thats a good deal!

 

[SteveHicks]

Thanks for the help.

Thanks for the help.

John Elder, thanks for the heads up RE Kevincamera. I've sent over an email to them.

And thanks to all for your suggestions.

 

[awilder]

As mentioned, the Leitz E43 is the only one that fits for several reasons. A very fine thread pitch of 0.45 required for the front accessory mount, smaller than usual outside diameter and short height of the filter. There are no accessory threads to the filter front. I picked up a used one from KEH a few months ago for $35 in perfect condition (rated E).

 

[Ben Z]

As an owner of an e43-style Summilux (BTW, even the latest limited-edition LHSA Summilux has the same filter issue, which is the only reason Leica makes an IR filter for it for the M8, although it only comes in silver), I have experience getting around this problem.

First, there are two types of Leica-brand e43 filters: early ones (mostly sliver but a few black ones were made in UVa) have no front threads and are narrow enough in diameter and thickness to allow the OEM hood to clip onto the lens groove. Later ones have front threads,so the filter itself has a groove for the hood.

It is possible to transpose glass from a B+W 43mm filter into the Leica e43 filter frame, so what I did was find some of the early silver ones with scratched glass or unpopular colors like Photoflood, which cost me $10-15, and put in the latest MRC glass from B+W. The early Leitz filters have a threaded retainer that takes a spanner wrench. The later ones have a spring-steel circular clip which is a pain to get in and out without scratching the glass, but it's possible if you're careful. Be advised that Heliopan 43mm glass is about 1mm too wide for the Leitz mounts...I had to reduce the diameter of my Heliopan digital IR-cut filter, which was a heart-in-mouth operation. B+W glass fits perfectly.

Grinding a groove around an aftermarket 43mm filter is also a possibility as someone already said.

Finally, there are aftermarket vented hoods sold on the 'Bay with 43mm threads that will fit any 43mm filter with front threads.

 

[MikeL]

I know this is blasphemy, but I used mine without a hood and flare was never that bad on the summilux. You might try it without and see when you'll need one.

 

[venchka]

Or buy a 43mm vented and tilted screw in hood from heavy2stars on ebay for under $20. Screw the hood into a modern B+W MRC filter.

OOPS! Ben Z already said this. I agree.

 

[peter_n]

I use a regular B+H E43 plus a discontinued 43mm CV hood (still available at Cameraquest) on mine. This also works on the newest ASPH version of this lens built for the LHSA. Thread pitch on the lens is 0.5mm as distinct from 0.75mm which is standard.

 

[SteveHicks]

hood

hood

These are all great ideas. Thanks guys!!