Your fave version Summilux 50mm and why?

[dovevadar]

Hey Peter,

thank you very much for the insight. I wonder if anyone uses Leica's uv filters? any better than B&W? b&w is surely hard to beat?

I do. It takes an E43 UV with a 0.5mm thread pitch. B+W make an MRC filter that fits the lens perfectly. Hoya makes an 0.75mm pitch filter which oddly enough also fits the lens. The Hoya filter is good but the MRC B+W is outstanding. If you are planning on keeping the lens get the B+W. B&H in NYC have them in stock.

 

[Rayt]

The problem with the E43 B+W filter is that the original hood won't fit over it. I am pretty sure Leica does not make a UV/IR filter in E43.

 

[yossi]

Leica did make slim UVa filter in E43 (both black and silver chrome). I have one on my 50 summilux. This filter does not prevent the original metal hood (125216) from mounting.

 

[peter_n]

Hey Peter, thank you very much for the insight. I wonder if anyone uses Leica's uv filters? any better than B&W? b&w is surely hard to beat?

The Leica filters are single-coated and made by B+W (at least the glass is) - not the same quality as the multi-resistant coating from B+W. Heliopan also makes very good quality filters.

The problem with the E43 B+W filter is that the original hood won't fit over it. I am pretty sure Leica does not make a UV/IR filter in E43.

You are correct and I don't like or use the original hood, I use a CV 43mm screw-in hood direct into the filter on both my v2 and ASPH (LHSA version) which also takes a 0.5mm thread pitch filter. If you want to use the original hood you need a slim version filter. Most Heliopan filters are now of the slim type, but I have not read anywhere if they work on the E43 Summilux or not.