Filter Thread Size in relation to Series Numbers

[peter_j_harvey]

I need to buy Medium Yellow and Orange Filters for following lenses:-a, 28mm f2.8 Elmarit R, b, 50mm S'cron R f 2.0,

c,135 mm Elmarit R f2.8, d, Elmarit R 180mm f2.8. (Old Style with tripod support in middle of barrel). I can't seem to find co-relation between "Series" and Thread Size, Could anyone please help?. Also, the Lens Hood for the 28mm is set up for a Polarizer Filter, I assume it takes a Circular Polarizer. I need Leica Quality Filters, does this mean any brand to avoid? I have been told a Series Filter is Minus Threads, true? Do you buy split type housing? Thank you in advance for your sharing your knowledge with an old Canon User who saw the light!

[budc]

I just bought a new Heliopan thin polarizer for my early 28 Elmarit-

R. It normally takes a Series 7 (no threads) placed in the hood.

The lens has 48mm threads so that's the size filter I bought. The

hood fits over it just fine but the wheel will not rotate the filter.

 

<p>

 

I also needed a polarizer for my early 60 Macro Elmarit-R. This lens

takes a Series 8 filter mounted in the hood. The lens is threaded

for a 60mm filter. I bought a 60 to 55 step down adaptor and use my

55mm screw-in polarizer in it.

 

<p>

 

Given all of this, it appears that Series 7 lenses use a 48mm screw

in filter size and Series 8 use 60mm.

[budc]

After some more thought, I'm not sure that my experience means that

all Leica lenses taking Series 7 filters have 48mm threads or Series

8 having 60mm threads.

 

<p>

 

I'll look around for a more definitive answer.

[jay_.]

Pete, "Series" filters are thread-less filters which are held to the

lens with a retaining ring that should have come with each lens (or

in the case of the 28, the Series VII fits into the back of the lens

hood) but if not you can usually find them used for not too much

money. The downside to series filters is that you can only use one

filter at a time. If you would rather get plain screw-in filters,

this can be done but the sizes are a bit odd. Heres the rundown for

your lenses: 28/2.8 Elmarit-R: 48mm. 50/2 Summicron-R: which

version do you have? If it has a pull-out hood, it takes 55mm

filters. The older version can take a 44mm filter but the hood won't

fit over it without shaving down the small rim inside the hood.

There are 43.5-to-xx step-up adaptors which will fit (again, you

would need to get a generic rubber hood in the step-up filter size as

the OEM hood will not fit over). 135/2.8-R: has 54mm threads for

which no filters are available. However you can get a 54-55 step-up

adaptor for a few bucks from B&H and 55mm is a common size. (This

advice holds for the early 90/2 and 90/2.8 as well) 180/2.8-R 1st

version: 72mm filter fits fine. (72mm filters also fit the 1st-

version 250/4 and the 21/4 S/A).

[wilhelm]

Another example of how modern Leicas are designed by non-

photographers. Oscar Barnack wouldn't have let them get away with

that nonsense.

[jay_.]

If you mean modern as in current, the R lenses are quite standard,

all the Series-filtered ones are long discontinued. There are a few

60mm ones which are just slightly irritating because only B+W and

Heliopan seem to make them. The rest are 55mm, 67mm or 77mm which

are very common sizes. The weirdo sizes like 41 and 43 have been

weeded out of the M lineup also, and the 39mm is now restriced to

35/2, 50/2 and 50/2.8.

[Robin Smith]

The old 50mm Summicron-R takes series VI, I think. I would be tempted

to get series filters if you can - they are available from B & W and

Heliopan, just because it is often easier.

 

<p>

 

Most cameras used to use series filters at one time - the

"conventional" filter threads are largely a Japanese invention I think

- and a very good one too. As Jay says, all current M and R lenses are

nicely modern and they do try and be consistent (28mm-35mm-50 - 90 R

lenses can all be 55mm for example)