Question about Filter series on early 'Lux

[telenous]

Hello,

I am new in rangefinders and brand new in the forum. I would be grateful if someone could help with the following. I have an old-ish Summilux 50mm with reversible hood and I 'd like a filter to protect the lens. The person who sold it to me said I need a series-8 filter. I contacted a second-hand photography shop in Germany about one such filter but they said it wouldn't do. I understand that not all Summilux's take the same filter but I am at a loss as to which could be the one appropriate for mine. The series number is 219xxxx, which I think makes it an early 70's, 2nd generation 'Lux. Does anyone know which filter series I need?

Many Thanks,
Telenous

 

[jaapv]

First decide if you really want a filter. A large number of Leica-shooters shoot naked, to preserve the lens quality. And welcome.

 

[brightsky]

My old Summilux is from 1967.

I have a 43mm filter I use only when I am afraid the elements could hurt the soft coating. I always use a hood though.

 

[telenous]

Thanks jaapv - I wasn't thinking of actually using the filter for taking photos - I am aware that you lose stop(s) this way, so why have the Lux in the first place? My idea was to buy one primarily -but not exclusively- for protection of the glass (the lens came with a hood but without a cap). Any suggestions on the filter series I need?

 

[telenous]

Thanks brightsky - that might be the one I need as well. I will check it out.

 

[jaapv]

I meant a "protective " filter. I only use them in a sandstorm.

 

[jaapv]

My old Summilux is from 1967.

I have a 43mm filter I use only when I am afraid the elements could hurt the soft coating. I always use a hood though.

Soft coatings do indeed need more pampering than the really tough newer ones- but I note you do take it off. I prefer a lens-cap, but I confess I take the occasional 100% underexposed shot.

 

[Kris]

Telenous

Which lens hood do you have for your Lux? If it's the vented 12586, you need a Series 8 UV filter if you want to mount/unmount the hood easily.

If you use standard 43mm filter, the ring is rather thick (I use B+W MRC 43mm 0.75 pitch) and you can't clip the 12586 hood. There's a trick to mount both filter and E43 filter though.

1. Press those buttons on the 12586 (hood off the lens) to retract the claws.
2. Drop in the E43 filter from the front of the hood until it sits properly in the hood.
3. Mount the hood+filter on the lens.
4. Now you will be able to screw on the filter onto the lens. Just use friction between the filter glass and your finger(s).

You will notice that the hood won't rotate freely now because the filter tightens it to the lens. Oh, don't forget to clean the finger print smudges from the filter after you attach that hood/filter. 😉

 

[telenous]

Kris

Thank you very much for your reply. I have indeed the 12586 hood. I will first try to find the series-8 filter as you suggest; Thanks also for the E43 mounting tip, I may have to opt for this one if there is considerable price difference with the series-8 UV.

 

[Kris]

Honestly, I won't bother trying to find Series VIII filter. As far as I know they are no longer made but I can be wrong. Modern filter (good quality ones) has better coatings, readily available from shops. Those used Series VIII filters are very likely badly scratched from several years of use and mounting them on the lens just degrades the lens quality.

In fact, I like how the hood is not roating freely. That way, I've got the cut-outs always in fixed least obtrusive position.

 

[Nick R.]

I have an early 50 'lux (1958) and it uses a 43mm screw in filter with a non-standard .5 pitch. However, for some reason, Hoya 43mm filters with a standard .75 pitch will fit fine. I'm not the only one to observe this on their summilux, btw, so try a Hoya.

 

[jaapv]

Honestly, I won't bother trying to find Series VIII filter. As far as I know they are no longer made but I can be wrong. Modern filter (good quality ones) has better coatings, readily available from shops. Those used Series VIII filters are very likely badly scratched from several years of use and mounting them on the lens just degrades the lens quality.

In fact, I like how the hood is not roating freely. That way, I've got the cut-outs always in fixed least obtrusive position.

Heliopan series VIII protective: 55 Euro, available from stock.There is a good cause to be made for Heliopan protective fliters, they are stronger, splinterresistant and are claimed to have less negative impact than normal UV filters, as the glass is very thin.

 

[Ben Z]

I've got an E43 Summilux. Leica currently makes a UV filter which has a groove around the mount that the shade claws latch onto, this filter has front female threads too. Previously they made thin filters with no front female threads, which the shade slips past and latches to the front of the lens. I bought a number of them, with silver chrome rings, that had scratched or chipped glass, for $5-10 each. I then replaced the bad glass with modern 43mm filter glass from B+W multicoated filters.

 

[telenous]

Thanks again to everyone for the input, I appreciate it very much. I am now browsing the auction site with all your suggestions in mind.

 

[Nick R.]

I've got an E43 Summilux. Leica currently makes a UV filter which has a groove around the mount that the shade claws latch onto, this filter has front female threads too. Previously they made thin filters with no front female threads, which the shade slips past and latches to the front of the lens. I bought a number of them, with silver chrome rings, that had scratched or chipped glass, for $5-10 each. I then replaced the bad glass with modern 43mm filter glass from B+W multicoated filters.

Good idea, Ben. I have an old, thin Leica 43mm filter with scratches on the glass. The thicker Hoyas screw in but don't allow use of the hood.

 

[peter_n]

Nick is correct about the 43mm Hoyas fitting the 50mm Summilux. B+W also make (made?) 43mm filters in 0.5 thread pitch that had the indent in them at the back of the filter ring for the hood.

Personally I don't like the large vented hoods. I use a 43mm hood from eBay vendor heavystar on mine.

 

[paulh]

I also use an old 43mm Leica filter. Thin and it allows the 12586 hood to be use properly.