I've just got my M6 (used) with a 50mm/f2 summicron (also used). I got a surprise when I found that it had a very irregular filter size (39mm) and I just can't seem to be able to find any filters for it (in the camera shops I've tried anyway) the only thing I was able to find was the cokin adaptor system. Has anyone tried this system? Is it a better alternative to scour camera stores or ebay and try to find genuine Leica filters?

P.S. Im after red and yellow filters for B/W photography

-- Daisung Jang (aquadhere@yahoo.com), December 03, 2001

Answers

I have never tried the Cokin system filters that you mention. I would recommend purchasing multicoated filters from a top manufacturer: B+W or Heliopan are what I use. Hoya also produces top quality multicoated glass. Leica farms out their filter production; these filters are NOT multicoated, so I would stick with the above mentioned manufacturers. I buy my filters from B&H in New York City. Try this link:

http://www02.bhphotovideo.com/default.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=CatalogA ctivator__Acatalog_html___CatID=75___SID=EAC3C161560

Good luck and happy shooting!

-- David (pagedt@chartertn.net), December 03, 2001.

An advantage of the small filter size is that they don't cost as much a 72 mm filter. Filters in 39 mm are usually not kept in stock, a good store will order them for you. Leica currently only has UVa filters in E39 size, in black (#13131) or chrome mount (#13132). Genuine Leica filters are expensive, B+W makes good ones too and has more choice in 39 mm size. http://www.schneideroptics.com/filters/filters_for_still_photography/black_&_white/

-- Bert Keuken (bkkn@wanadoo.nl), December 03, 2001.

my leica dealer told me that the leica filters actually are made with b+w glass. is that true?

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), December 03, 2001.

Yes

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), December 03, 2001.

B+W "MRC" (Multi Resistant Coated) filters are so well mulicoated that it is very difficult to see any reflection off them, practically hard to tell there's glass in the mount.

-- Jay (infinityft@aol.com), December 03, 2001.

I have a vague sense that the non-mc versions of the B+W filters (which are often sold here in UK) are not so good. I've tried with and without on the same shot and there is a noticable difference...especially against the light (maybe this is true of all filters)

-- stephen jones (stephenjjones@btopenworld.com), December 03, 2001.

Daisung Jang:

The Cokin setup is very bulky - I would try to find discreet screw-in filters. Even here in Denver 39mm (and some other weird Leica sizes - 60mm/48mm, e.g.) is sometimes hard to find - there's one store that stocks the whole Heliopan line in all sizes, so I use Heliopan for that reason.

With a 50mm lens, I wouldn't worry much about Leica vs. non-Leica filters. The advantages of the extra-flat glass are most visible with 24/21 lenses which look through the filter at a strong angle at the edges, or with teles, which magnify aberrations imparted by the filter glass.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), December 03, 2001.

I justordered some Heliopan filters in 39mm from Robert White in London, Received in a week in Singapore, andthey are vg! PN

-- Paul Nelson (clrfarm@westnet.com.au), December 03, 2001.