Polarisers and rings

[joe_pelizza_salusso_di_vol]

As stated if you want a polariser for you meek Leica, you have either

the 13356, which is suitable only for the 39/46-49 lenses or the

14286 ring for the tri elmar or for the 135/3,4 Apo. What about the

55 lenses (21 asph, 24 asph, 90 AA) and what for the E60 lenses (50/1

and 75/1,4)?

There was, once upon a time, a goldsmith in the States who forged

gorgeus rings suitable for these "glasses", but now a terrible

malediction has blocked the production of the magic rings. Up to,

have we to wait for knight who will be able to free us from this

terrible fate? Where is the Lord of rings gone?

Joe

[john_collier2]

There are several methods of using a polarising filter with lenses for which

Leica does not have a swing out polarising filter.

 

The first and simplest is just to buy two Heliopan polarising filters: one for

viewing and one for the lens. Heliopan filters have index marks so it easy to

tranfer the setting from the viewing filter to the one on the lens. You could also

easily index any other brand of filter yourself with a small file and a little bit of

paint.

 

Another way is buy a large filter step-up ring. Say E55 to E72. Now just cut out

viewing ports so you can see through the filter when looking in the viewfinder.

A single E72 polarising filter could be used on several homemade adapters to

accomodate all your M lenses. An appropriately sized wide angle hood would

give your the same protection as the Leica swing-out polarising filters do.

 

Finally, if you just want to darken blue skies, then Provia F film and, for an

even stronger effect, Velvia will do the job. It will be nice and even effect too

unlike the results you get with polarising filters on super wide angle lenses.

[jay_.]

For the 21 and 24 this solution won't work, neither for the v.1 Tri-Elmar at 28mm, but for 35/50 and the 90 Summicrons (all E55 models)you can make an adaptor for the Universal Polarizer, which Leica should have done. Take a 55-52 stepdown adaptor, attach to it the mount from a 52mm filter (glass removed), and to it a 52mm Cokin "A" adaptor (use Red Loctite thread locking liquid) which has been ground peripherally so it's the same outer diameter as the Univ. Pola adaptors. I made one a long time ago and it worked great.

[albert knapp md]

Jay: Do you get any vignetting with this? I have noted that the

photoview (or whatever it is called) step up filter rings CAUSE

vignetting when I use my 24mm f/2.8.

[john_collier2]

Are you saying you cannot use polarising filters on the 21 and 24 lenses?! I

have used a Heliopan polarising filter with no problems. It should be easy to

get a step up ring that will work with these lenses as well. A good quality one

should not be too thick. I cannot comment on the TE as I have never used

one. Perhaps for the early TE you could adapt a step-up ring to clamp around

the lens just as A42 and A36 filters do.

[jay_.]

Let me clarify: using my homemade adaptor for the Universal Polarizer (swing-out type) works only on the 90/2's and the v.1 3E at 35 and 50 without vignetting, it will vignette on the 21, 24 and the 3E @ 28mm. This is because of the built-in shade on the Universal Polarizer. A 55mm polarizer, or a 67, 72 or 77mm polarizer with a step-up ring will work fine on all those lenses. If you are handy with a Dreml tool you can make cut-out "windows" in the step-up ring (between the inner and outer threads) so you can see the polarization from the rear, eg through the finder.

[mf_zimicki]

I found that the easy way to use my swing out polarizer on my 90/2 was to buy a cheap filter, remove the glass and then gently grind the outside diameter down with a table mount belt sander. You really do not have to remove much material in order to get the polarizer to fit over. Wear gloves, as it will get hot and gently let it spin in your fingers so that it comes out round. I was sucessfull on my first try and have made some for friends. Cost me about 12 bucks and has worked great for three years so-far. Cheers Mf Zimicki

[gummaz]

wow so someone has the really expensive leica polarizer!!!

can you please post some pictures of this holy grail 'cause I cannot find any on the web and would like to understand it's working and sizes and usability before ordering...

thanks

Giulio