Leica LTM Lens hood for Summicron

[dolah]

I have the classic conundrum in that I would like to keep my B&W UV filter on my Summicron collapsible all the time for protection, but the original Leica lens cap fits too loosely with the filter in place. I know some will say with the filter you don’t need the cap, but I would like to protect the filter too. I have read that you can add a 12549 lens hood and the cap would fit on that, but the price of those is ridiculously high when you can find them. I noticed that Heliopan makes a similar short lens hood for a reasonable price. Does anyone know if the lens cap would fit correctly on that one? Or, does someone have a solution that I haven’t considered? Please don’t tell me to just go without a lens cap. And I know I can buy after market slip on, screw in, or snap on lens caps that would work. I am looking for a more elegant solution than just using a cheap $3 plastic lens cap that looks out op place on that camera (IIIF red dial) Thank you in advance for any ideas.

 

[Rob-F]

Several Leica hoods will fit the collapsible, including the 12585 and 12575, though they are not so cheap, either. With these, the cap that fits is not the regular lens cap, but a plastic cap to fit on the hood when the hood is inverted on the lens for storage. Apart from that, I've never seen another hood & cap for the Summicron. You can also get, for much less money, a screw-in hood from Heavystar online. I don't know that you can find a cap for it, but a hood still gives good protection for your filter.

 

[Rayt]

I recommend the 12549 silver chrome hood. Pricey yes but it’s the least expensive option compared to the other Leica hoods.You can get a silver chrome Leitz filter to replace your B+W so everything matches so won’t look out of place on your IIIf. That’s what I use.

 

[raydm6]

Would adding new or additional felt material inside the lens cap create more of an interference fit to help retain the cap?

 

[Rob-F]

You could use a 39mm snap-cap over the filter, if you don't think you want a hood.

 

[dolah]

I thought about adding felt to the inner rim of the cap. The original felt is very worn. It doesn’t seem particularly tight even on the lens without the filter. But I was worried about losing value because it was altered. Plus, it would no longer fit the lens without the filter.

 

[oldwino]

I just use a cheap snap cap, as otherwise I will eventually lose the nice Leica cap...

 

[dolah]

Thank you for the responses. I solved the problem by carefully removing the inner velvet lining, then I attached it to a very thin piece of cardboard from the back of a tablet. Not the full thickness, just peeled off a thin layer. Attached it to the back of the velvet using very aggressive double sided tape (used to mount backsplash material). It is in reality not tape at all, but solid contact adhesive once you peel off the paper backing. Then I used the same stuff to re-mount the laminated lining plus backing to the inside rim. The added thickness was just enough to get the lens cap to grab. Interesting point: I hadn’t noticed before, but the lens cap doesn’t actually engage the filter. It goes over the filter and grabs just the front edge of lens. So this job needed to be done anyway, because the velvet had become so compressed it was too loose on the lens as well. I’m rather proud of the way it turned out. You really can’t tell anything was done without looking very closely. Thank you again for the discussion.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Using the original Leica lens caps is the reason they are as valuable as they are nowadays; people have lost them. I have the original cap for my DR Summicron, but it never travels with me, I always use a snap cap. I prefer using a hood only and don't use a filter for anything other than to affect contrast or white balance. I use all my lenses unfiltered, even when I was deployed to Iraq, and the sand never hurt them. I don't want to stick a piece of inferior glass in front of one of the nicest lenses ever made.
Phil Forrest

 

[dolah]

Thank you for your input Phil! You raise some very good points. Even though the cap now fits, it is not very “grippy” at all. I may want to re-think using it in a regular basis. I’m not a big fan of snap caps. Maybe a screw in cap? They are very secure. As for “inferior” glass, I really don’t believe B+W filters are inferior. They are very well regarded, being made by Schneider in Germany. And although my Summicron is a very fine lens indeed, my understanding is that the front element is soft glass. I have heard it described as “chalk soft”. It seems to be a miracle that mine has survived without scratches or “cleaning mark”. Now with that UV filter in place, I don’t have to worry.