Leica LTM Newbie looking for Summitar filters

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses

vdonovan

Vince Donovan
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Hi folks. This is a great forum and I've learned a lot, but can't quite put together what I need. I've just started shooting (black and white) with a Leica iiic with a Summitar lens. I would like to get some red and yellow filters to use with this lens. They don't need to be vintage Leica lenses, just good quality glass that will take good pictures.

Any recommendations of where to look and what to ask for? I know the lens doesn't have a screw mount. Are the push-ons still manufactured by anybody?

Thanks for your help.
 
The summitar does have threads for a screw in filter, and leitz and 3rd parties did make filters, the filters are cone shaped, with the threads in the narrow part of the cone. E Bay time or specialist shop...

I think the push one size is about 42mm, or just under, it is non standard as well.

noel
 
Filters

Filters

I've bought here:
http://www.collectiblecameras.com/

Cheap colored filters are pretty common on eBay for the Summitar. You can also roll your own. Odd colors like green a blue go for very little, and you can buy those and press out the colored glass if the filter is the swedged type (if your 'lucky' you may find the screw in ring variety that load from the front but they are very rare). I take an old plastic 35 film canister and drive the old glass out from the back with a quick pop of a mallet. I haven't broken any glass yet.

Any Hoya 39mm filter will fit in the ring. I set the glass in with silicon as it's easy to use and clean up after it sets with a tooth pick and some lens tissue.

If you have the screw in variety things get a little touchy as the Leitz filter glass is very thin compared with the some of the Hoyas, and the Hoya may be too thick for the ring to catch any threads. I wish I had more experience with other brands like B&W as to their thickness of glass. Maybe someone in this forum knows that info.
 
The other affordable approach is to get the Canon 42mm screw-clamp Series VI adapter ring (perhaps with one of their nice rectangular hoods), and use that with Series VI filters.

There is a Leica adapter to E39, but expect to pay $100 for it.

But, the Leica Summitar filters can be had used for about $20 to $25.
 
I've several of these filters on consignment for sale with Tony Rose at PopFlash.

They are the 41.5 slip over filters of Leica that work on this lens.

Look under the lens catagory.

You will find a yellow, orange, UVA, & hood listed as Summarit items.

Best,

Ray
 
Waltz (Japan)

Made Summitar filters in the 1950`s, they are about the easiest to find, the original Leitz stuff is getting harder and harder...though someone got a rip roaring deal about a month ago on Evilbay and bought like 6 different original cone threaded Summitar filters with cases for like $140 - the polarizer is worth $75 alone

Tom
 
The tapered thread filters may not be easy to come by. Perhaps your best bet is the Series VI route suggested.
 
Try eBay. They do turn up on the site from time to time. In particular keep a watch out for an adapter that you can use to otilise normal e39mm mount leica filters on the summitar. I have one and its invaluable. If you cannot find one you must buy the summitar equivalent filters to the 38mm ones which will cost a bit more as you end up duplicating them all. Keep trying!.
 
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