Leica Summitar filters too old?

[farlymac]

Is it worth it to get a set of Summitar filters, or would I be better off just sticking with an adapter, and newer E39 size filters such as B+W?


PF

 

[Rayt]

I bought a used yellow Summitar filter the dedicated kind with the tapered shape. It doesn’t seem like it has any coating because it reflected like a mirror. I then got an E39 adapter and also the metal Leica screw on hood for the 50mm Elmar-M and like the combination.

 

[peterm1]

An old Summitar filter will only be single coated (assuming it is post war - anything prewar would not be coated at all unless coatings were added in the 1950s - a service Leica offered - for lenses at least). If you are shooting a Summitar you need to accept that it too is only single coated. So I do not think it will make that much difference though there might be a small amount of extra flare if mounting an extra piece of single coated glass and shooting against the light. In general I would not worry. I have a Summitar (LTM - circa 1950) and use it with older filters and it has never bothered me.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I've shot with and without my Summitar orange filter. There's no more flare than before, and it looks spot on with the lens. If you ever move them on, a good set of Leica filters are more likely to retain value than aftermarket.

 

[splitimageview]

My Summitar is from 1940 and uncoated, I use it with an original Leica yellow filter. Perhaps a modern coated would be better, but my guess it is a very marginal improvement at best.

 

[Bingley]

I have one or two Summitar filters, but getting an adapter so you can use 39mm filters will give you many more options. As a practical matter, I use an adapter and 39mm filters, with a generic hood that screws into the filter. Works great.

 

[farlymac]

Thanks for all the replies. My main concern was for the filters possibly being a bit faded, thus changing the intensity of their effect, but the reflective qualities should also be taken into consideration. I've already got a 39mm adapter (cheap heavystar SNHOO knock-off which I painted the inside flat black), some B+W filters, and the 12585H hood that I read about in another post, so I'm set to go.

Yeah, Charles, my idea was if you're going to buy a vintage lens, then maybe having the filters designed for it would be a selling point further down the line (way down the line I hope), but then I passed on getting the SOOPD hood as more of a collectible oddity than something that would add to the overall value of the lens. I may still get one later on though, as well as a set of the filters. But only like one a month instead of all at once.

On another note, I found what likely was a late version of the SOOTF adapter which allows Summitar filters to be mounted on an A36 lens, but it includes a built in ring for E39 filters. All the other examples I saw only had the Summitar threads.

I've already shot a test roll where I used a vintage chrome ring E39 Yellow 2 Leitz filter I happened to have on some of the frames, and will get the film developed once I have another roll or two ready to send in.

Can't wait to get the IIIf back from an overhaul so I don't have to rely on the Bessa-R.

PF

 

[farlymac]

Thanks for all the replies. My main concern was for the filters possibly being a bit faded, thus changing the intensity of their effect, but the reflective qualities should also be taken into consideration. I've already got a 39mm adapter (cheap heavystar SNHOO knock-off which I painted the inside flat black), some B+W filters, and the 12585H hood that I read about in another post, so I'm set to go.

Yeah, Charles, my idea was if you're going to buy a vintage lens, then maybe having the filters designed for it would be a selling point further down the line (way down the line I hope), but then I passed on getting the SOOPD hood as more of a collectible oddity than something that would add to the overall value of the lens. I may still get one later on though, as well as a set of the filters. But only like one a month instead of all at once.

On another note, I found what likely was a late version of the SOOTF adapter which allows Summitar filters to be mounted on an A36 lens, but it includes a built in ring for E39 filters. All the other examples I saw only had the Summitar threads.

I've already shot a test roll where I used a vintage chrome ring E39 Yellow 2 Leitz filter I happened to have on some of the frames, and will get the film developed once I have another roll or two ready to send in.

Can't wait to get the IIIf back from an overhaul so I don't have to rely on the Bessa-R.

PF

Okay, the SOOTF arrived today, and what I found was that besides the Summitar filter threads, it also includes a set of E41 (Summarit 50/1.5) threads, not E39. This must be a late version as all the others I saw only had the Summitar threads. Don't know as I'll get a Summarit anytime soon, but who knows. Cheapest one I came across in a quick search was just over $500 including both caps, an Auto-Up, SL filter, and XOONS hood. The filter was faded and separating, and the lens was a scratched up wreck. Time to walk away from that one.

PF

 

[farlymac]

An Update: When I installed the SNHOO copy to the Summitar, it got stuck. Several times. So I worked the threads over with a Dremel tool bronze brush to sort of smooth them out, but that didn't help either. Then when I compared it with an actual Summitar filter, I found that it goes on the lens much deeper, and bottoms out. That's where the sticking occurs. So I'll have to bite the bullet, and get a proper Leitz 13078Y adapter. Reason for the adapter is the Summaron and Summitar lenses never had Red 25 filters, but a series of three strengths for IR photography. A Red 25 equivalent didn't arrive until the E39 size was introduced with the Summicron 50/2.

I eventually purchased enough Summitar filters to satisfy me, and went ahead and did the same in A36 for the Summaron 35/3.5, and 39E (B+H) for the Elmar 90/4. Maybe a bit of overkill, but it was easier than trying to find a hood to use with any adapter attached. And if I sell any of the lenses I have filters to go with them to sweeten the deal.

PF