Noobie question No. 3: Tell me about pre-war filters please?

[David.Boettcher]

I have been looking for filters to fit Elmar 5cm f3.5 and Summar 5cm f3.5 lenses.

Is there a list somewhere of what was originally available from Leitz - the range of colours available? There is nothing in Rogliatti or the Hove Leica pocket book about filters.

I gather that the Elmar will take 19mm screw filters, but 19mm filters seem to be rare. Were these originally made by Leitz? Any ideas where to get these?

The Summar appears to have a screw thread to take 34mm filters. Were these originally made by Leitz? I had a quick look on eBay but I couldn't see any red or yellow 34mm so any ideas where to get these.

Most filters that I have seen are A36 which are slip on, the A standing for Aufsteck, German for Slip. But there seem to be two types of these, one with a clamping screw to hold it in place, the other one without the screw. Are the ones with the clamp better, more secure?

Any help appreciated!

Regards - David

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Well, I don't know if this will help or hinder you but Leica (who else?) published a series of catalogues and leaflets for their cameras from the 1920's onwards and these turn up on ebay etc from time to time. Like everything else on ebay quality varies from excellent to rubbish and prices vary from 99p to £120 with no logical connection between prices and quality.

Hove Foto Books also published a series of reprints of the Leica catalogues and these also turn up on ebay (even marked as reprints from time to time). Expect to pay £5 or £10 ish for them.

They are very useful for collectors as they give the detail needed. BTW, the books were meant for dealers' use and the leaflets for customers.

Left to right: a 1933 catalogue, a 1936 one, a modern reprint of the 1936 one and a 1939 Leitz New York one. Beware of the NY ones as they show odd things not made by Wetzlar. The give-away on the reprints is the slogan "For 1936" which didn't appear on the originals.

Here's a page from the 1936 one. It has 3 or 4 pages about filters in it.

I'm not too sure about this but I think Argus made or used 19mm screw in filters that fit Leicas.

I hope this helps but beware as it will push you further down that slippery slope...

Regards, David

 

[David.Boettcher]

Hi,

Well, I don't know if this will help or hinder you but Leica (who else?) published a series of catalogues and leaflets for their cameras from the 1920's onwards ... Here's a page from the 1936 one. It has 3 or 4 pages about filters in it.

Regards, David

Thanks for the steer David, there are a couple on eBay now so I will grab one of those.

Do they document the reason for some of the A36 filters being simple push on when others have a clamping screw?

Regards - David

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Do you have Hove's "Leica Accessory Guide" pocket book? Many different types of features are described in there. (as well as in the Leica Collector's Guide"

Walz made 19mm screw in filters for the Argus C-3, but they also fit perfectly on the 50mm f/3.5 Elmar (and also on the Russian copies I believe). But these are post-war.

 

[David.Boettcher]

Do you have Hove's "Leica Accessory Guide" pocket book? Many different types of features are described in there. (as well as in the Leica Collector's Guide)"

No I don't have that one, I shall get a copy. Thanks.

Regards - David

 

[johannielscom]

David,

your questions are turning into a nice little series and I'm reading stuff I did not know either!

Please keep at it, will you? 😀

 

[David Hughes]

Thanks for the steer David, there are a couple on eBay now so I will grab one of those.

Do they document the reason for some of the A36 filters being simple push on when others have a clamping screw?

Regards - David

Hi (again),

I'll wish you luck with ebay...

In the Hove accessory book it says that the earliest were slip-on which later acquired the clamping ring and set screw. Early meaning 1924/25. It also says that since then 265 filters for 24 different lens have been listed and that was the 1984 edition of the guide!

My 1936 catalogues show just slip on filters but the 1938 one starts showing the clamp and screw ones as well as the screw in filters and says "As a protection against loss, the slip-on filters are provided with a clamping ring and a fixing screw."

So, there you have it from the horse's mouth.

Regards, David

PS and if " ...the screw-in filters are for Leica cameras having a serial number lower than No. 9500, this must be stated".

 

[bukaj]

related question, what filter does the 3.5cm elmar use? Is it a 19mm as well?

-jakub

 

[johannielscom]

related question, what filter does the 3.5cm elmar use? Is it a 19mm as well?

-jakub

yup, Rick said so in post #4!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Didn't state it specifically in that post, but yes:
The 19mm filters also fit on the 35mm f/3.5 Elmar.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The problem with the 19mm screw-in filters is that sometimes they are bigger than (about) 19mm and so cover up the aperture lever. Here's some pictures of one that's about 28mm across the front and messes things up badly. (Especially with a lens hood fitted but a "VALOO" should cure it?)

Regards, David

 

[bukaj]

Yeah, my main issue with the elmar 35 is the aperture lever. Hard enough with a hood (I use one for the elmar 50 that does not show any vignetting), so I can imagine it being impossible with a filter like that and the hood.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear David,

Almost all are A36 push-on. A36 is reasonably easy to find and personally I prefer those with the clamp.

Cheeras,

R.