Hi all,

I'm in the market for E55 filters for my new Leica 24 mm and I've heard of good things about B+W for price and quality (compared to Leica's own exceptionally expensive filters). I'll probably go with a deep red, orange, and blue filter (just the black-and-white basics). I noticed the other day on B&H that B+W sells two different variants of these filters (normal and wide angle). Do I have to go with the wide-angle to avoid light falloff at 2.8 or is the angle of coverage of the 24 not extreme enough for this? Also, is it a good idea to get the multi-coated filters or is plain glass OK (I suspect that multicoating would eliminate flare???)

Thanks in advance,

John.

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), January 27, 2001

Answers

I have never had a problem with a regular thickness skylight filters causing corner cut off even on a 20mm lens. It a polarizer that can cause the trouble sometimes with the twin rotating rings making them thicker. The MC filters will not make much difference except in the worst case scenarios, like maybe shooting directly into the sun or shooting at night outside where you can get a reflection of the flat filter that will repeat bright lights. Of course, in those circumstances you'd be better off removing the filter. Since the cost of the multicoated ones is not that much more, I usually spring for them anyway.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), January 27, 2001.

I use both Leica and B+W (multi-coated) UV filters for protection. I have not detected any light falloff at f2.8 using regular B+W filter on 24 ASPH without the lens shade. But if you are going to use the lens shade, the regular B+W filter is too thick to fit the shade properly.

-- Cing-Dao Kan (cdkan@yahoo.com), January 28, 2001.

The thing about the filter being too thick to fit under the M24 hood, I don't believe is correct. You need to mount the filter slightly _loose_ for the hood to go on. Mark Rabiner pointed this out on the LUG some time ago. If you ever need to change filters because they get scratched up, you can always use a Leica filter the first time round and then swap in BW or Hoya glass when you need to change. That way you get the Leica mount and cheaper glass to go in it. The BW mount is hard to unscrew but can be done with some patience and elbow grease.

In any case, having used both the M and R 24's extensively, I can assure you that normal filter mounts do not cause vignetting.

Rob.

-- Robert Appleby (laintal@tin.it), January 28, 2001.

Rob is correct! The B+W regular size E55 filter will fit the 24 ASPH with the hood if the filter is loosely fit on the lens. I just tried this and it worked perfectly. Thanks Rob.

-- Cing-Dao Kan (cdkan@yahoo.com), January 28, 2001.

I have the 21 ASPH which is the identical mount as the 24. Normal E55 filters work fine, do not vignette, so should be even less likely on 24mm. Hood fits fine over Leica, Hoya or B+W filter, filter screwed down tight, no need to leave it loose. B+W MRC (multi- resistant coating) are clearly superior to Leica (or regular B+W) in terms of reducing flare and ghosting. Polarizing is also possible (although with 21mm you get uneven polarization of sky). Purchase 55- 67 step-up adaptor, screw onto lens and, looking through viewfinder, mark where you can see the rear of adaptor. Remove adaptor, cut out this area with a Dreml moto-tool (or power-drill several adjoining holes)being careful not to nick the threads. Clean all shavings thoroughly! You can now mount 67mm polarizer and view polarizer effect through viewfinder, from behind filter. Works also with other Leica lenses using larger polarizers. You will need to make cut-outs for each lens, as the filter thread timing are different.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 30, 2001.