Filters for rangefinder Nikkors

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rbsinto

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I got a rude awakening last week when I tried to buy some filters for my rangefinder lenses. Two-stop neutral density filters to be exact, so I can shoot at larger apertures with my faster lenses on those f16 days.
The 52mm filter for the 105 2.5 was readily available and didn't necessitate the armed robbery of a jug-milk store to facilitate the purchase.
However, the 43mm for my 35 1.8 and a 48mm for my 85 f2 are a different story. After calling a number of stores and checking B&H, Adorama, ebay, KEH as well as three high-end, reasonably well stocked stores here in Toronto, I was informed that they are available on special order from B&W in Germany and will take approximately six or eight weeks(!!!) to arrive.
Oh. And they're about $80.00 each. Oh. And we need a deposit.
Well, they're ordered, and on the way.
This rangefinder photography business ain't cheap, and I'm gonna be really pissed off if they stop making film any time soon.
 
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WOW! I bought a 43mm 3x ND filter, and two 43mm UV filters in Tokyo for a grand total of about $35 last Sunday, straight off the shelf. Do you want me to pick up a few filters for you next time I'm in Tokyo?
 
jonmanjiro said:
WOW! I bought a 43mm 3x ND filter, and two 43mm UV filters in Tokyo for a grand total of about $35 last Sunday, straight off the shelf. Do you want me to pick up a few filters for you next time I'm in Tokyo?
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That is very kind of you. Let me check with the store here first, to see if there is any trouble cancelling the order. If it's not a problem, I'll let you know and perhaps you can do me the favour and grab them for me.
Oh. and could you grab get me three s-36's? I'd really like to motorize my bodies. I figure if you buy three you'd get a really good deal on them. :D
 
rbsinto said:
Oh. and could you grab get me three s-36's? I'd really like to motorize my bodies. I figure if you buy three you'd get a really good deal on them. :D
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Photographic gear shopping in Tokyo is pretty good, but its not that good ;)

Let me know if you need a few filters.
 
FWIW you can find any type of 43mm filter on eBay, for way less money than what you got asked for in Toronto. Filters being shipped in padded envelopes as Air Letters, shipping is never a problem (and the terrible Canadian customs won't ask you to pay any ransom for a set of $10 each filters if they were to come from "the other side" or "the country to the South").

I've got a nice collection of various 43mm filters for peanuts, some of them being Nikon and the same vintage as my Nikon RF lenses.
 
Maybe the problem is that you are asking specifically for 43mm filters for your RF Nikkors ? B+H will then quote you prices for filters with 0.5 thread pitch, which are available from B+W on special order.

The thing is, newer, 0.75 pitch 43mm filters will fit, too. At least, I've tried (and now use) B+W and Hoya, and they both work very well. So, you might want to try out a modern, normal 43mm filter. For example, this one:

(ND4, HMC, 23 US)

http://www.adorama.com/HY43ND4XMS.html

For your 85/2, if you have the screw in hood, you can buy 49mm instead of Series filters. Also available easily.

FWIW, HMC Hoya filters are optically at least as good as B+W. Just not as well made.

Roland.
 
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ferider said:
Maybe the problem is that you are asking specifically for 43mm filters for your RF Nikkors. B+H will then quote you prices for filters with 0.5 thread pitch, which are available from B+W on special order.

The thing is, newer, 0.75 pitch 43mm filters will fit, too. At least, I've tried B+W and Hoya, and they both worked. So, you might want to try out a modern, normal 43mm filter.

Roland.
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Nope.
The thread pitch was not mentioned in the conversation.
I merely asked the store (Henrys here in Toronto) to get me 43mm and 48mm 2-stop ND filters.
They quoted me about $160.00 for the pair, on Special Order from B&W in Germany with a six to eight week delivery time.
I have since cancelled the order because Jonmanjiro kindly volunteered to grab them for me in Tokyo. We are just working out the details.
Failing that, I took Highway 61's advice and checked out what is available reasonably locally on ebay. If I can't get them through Jonmanjiro, I'll buy them from a seller in New York State.
 
You could also just get two step-up rings from 43 and 48 to 49mm and use cheap 49mm filters.
 
rxmd said:
You could also just get two step-up rings from 43 and 48 to 49mm and use cheap 49mm filters.
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True.
But either getting the filters from Tokyo or via ebay will be inexpensive enough that I won't have to bother with step-up rings, which are a pain anyway.
 
You checked B&H? The filters you want (B+W) are on their website, and they are only $25 each. The 43mm is in stock, but the 48mm will take 6-10 weeks for delivery. The MRC ones are more $$.

Ciao,

David
 
I added a 43mm to 46mm adapter to my Nikkor. Now it takes the same filter as most of my Leica lenses. The adapter isn't that much larger in diameter than the lens, looks natural and acts like a (small) hood with no filter attached. I've always found 46mm filters easier to find.
 
I found a very nice, brand new and silver 43mm filter for my 50mm f1.4 Nikkor S lens at Photodiox, through eBay. They're in Northern Chicago and manufacture adapters and filters. Check them out on eBay or goggle them... They may carry ND stuff.

Speaking of which, I may do the same... I've been shooting mine at least at f5.6 at 1/1000 on sunny days... and that beats the purpose of a fast lens.
 
SolaresLarrave said:
Speaking of which, I may do the same... I've been shooting mine at least at f5.6 at 1/1000 on sunny days... and that beats the purpose of a fast lens.
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I'm not sure whether the purpose of a fast lens is to be shot with ND filters on sunny days.
 
In case you want to have your subject stand out, and not blend with the background, yes, you use an ND filter. Then you can open the lens aperture.

Fast lenses ain't cheap, and I like using them. Some times, a color filter (with B&W film) can do a similar effect. That's all.
 
SolaresLarrave said:
In case you want to have your subject stand out, and not blend with the background, yes, you use an ND filter. Then you can open the lens aperture.
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Personally I would probably prefer to use a more modern camera whose shutter doesn't cap out at 1/1000, but that's a matter of preference. If that's not an option, and slower film is not an option, and you really want to shoot at f/1.4 or faster, then you're right of course, an ND filter is the only way.

I guess it's all a question if one likes that kind of special-effects shooting.
 
It's merely about the ability when desirable to shallow up the depth of field on bright, sunny days. With my S3s, SP and F bodies, and 100 ISO colour slide I am restricted to 5.6 @ 1/1000th or even f8 @1/1000th when there is a lot of reflective road or sidewalk glare.
The two-stop filters will let me use my 35, 85 or 105 lenses at 2.8, if necessary to get the look I want in a shot.
I don't consider this to be "special effects" shooting, but merely good compositional control.
 
I hate buying a bunch of different sizes of one kind of filter. I usually try to get filters for my largest diameter lens and them buy step up adapter rings so they will fit my other lenses. Some of the cheaper adapter rings tend to stick on the lens threads or stick to the filter threads. I try to buy B+W adapter rings because they are much less likely to stick to the threads and they aren't much more expensive. - Jim
 
Jon,
I've been incredibly busy after work the last two nights (family stuff and hockey games) and haven't even tried them yet. Thankfully, tonight will be less frenetic so I can actually take a few minutes and fool with the lenses and filters. I'm sure the 0.5 pitch filter will be just fine. It's the two 0.75 that I'm worried about.
I'll let you know.
 
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