Filter for Dual Range (DR) Summicron

[rajmohan.]

<p>Hello folks,<br>

My DR Summicron is winging its way to me, and to prevent adding to the minor cleaning marks that it already has on its front element, I'd like to purchase a protective UV filter for it.<br>

Is there any advantage to my buying a 39mm Leica filter (13132) as opposed to a multicoated B+W 39mm UV filter, which costs about half to a third of the Leica? Is the only issue cosmetic, in that the black B+W would look a little odd on the end of the chromed brass of the lens?<br>

Many thanks,<br>

Raj </p>

[Gus Lazzari]

<p>These modern B&W units are beautifully made out of brass and high quality glass, so no problems there.<br>

<strong>Fit</strong> as it relates to slip-on or snap caps etc., does vary...</p>

[aplumpton]

<p>The 13132 filter is discontinued, but some places have used filters (B&H, etc.) at lower cost. I wouldn't be surprised if Schneider does not make the Leica filter (the more recent one in production is black mounted, like that of the B&W filter) as Leica farms out a lot of its accessory (and even some camera component) production. Black finish is good as it limits extraneous light bouncing off the silver chrome internal faces of the filter. This is probably not critical as the multi-coating of B&W MRC and Leica filters is quite effective. Use of optical glass with highly planar surfaces is important and I believe both filters use that, whereas cheaper filters often cut that corner.</p>

[Jochen_S]

<p>I'd avoid the ultraslim series by B+W since it neither holds old Leica metal caps in place due too reduced diameter nor new snap on ones due to too few turns of filter thread. But I'd go for their regular sized filters.</p>

[james_elwing]

<p>What Gus says regarding caps. Original deep metal caps will work better with very thin filter. Original thin metal caps marked 'Summicron' on inside will not hold on with filters; maybe original Leitz filters are OK.</p>

[rajmohan.]

<p><strong>Gus, Arthur, Jochen </strong>and<strong> James</strong> - thank you for you helpful advice. I'll take the plunge on the (non-thin) B+W filter. I'll have a hood with a cap on the hood, so the cap likely won't be a problem.</p>

[james_elwing]

<p>Hope you are not relying on using the (ITDOO?) barn door lens hood. It was made for the collapsible version 1 Summicron, and I don't think it clamps securely onto any later lens hoods.<br>

If not; as a matter of interest, Raj, what capped hood are you using?<br>

James</p>

[rajmohan.]

<p><strong>James</strong> - no, the hood I'm expecting is the one that has 2 metal clips on the sides that you press in before slipping the hood on to the lens. It also clips on in the reverse orientation for storage (presumably the cap fits over the reversed hood. I don't know the precise details, as the lens is still in transit.</p>