this is a cheap way to get a controllable polariser for any rangefinder. the 46/77 adapter is by heliopan and is made out of brass, so it is really easy to work with. the whole setup is about $70 including b+w linear polariser. maybe not to leica quality standards, but for me it works. at distances below 1m the rangefinder patch is partly obstructed.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), February 08, 2002

Answers

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), February 08, 2002.

Looks good Stefan - presumably the filter overlaps the VF enough to enable the polariser 'effect' to be seen?

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 08, 2002.

yeah, that's the window for. from the viewfinder it looks a bit like the 35lux hood. just enough to know what you are doing. the friction on the polariser is a bit tough, increased by some tension due to minor warping of the adapter. but i think it will wear. i wasn't too careful while cutting the hole. for the next one i would know more.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), February 08, 2002.

Stefan,

Nice solution -I suppose a voigtlander filter adapter for their 12mm could be used in a similar fashion, but that alone is 65$ from cameraquest.
Which tools did you use?

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), February 08, 2002.

Stefan, another thought - I use a 35 Summicron with the old style clip-on round metal hood with three large cut-outs (12585H). The inner diameter of the front of the hood is 55mm, I wonder if a 55mm polariser would 'screw' in to the front - you could then have a spare hood with the polariser permenantly fitted and then simply clip on and off as required. When looking through the hood 'vent' the effect should just about be clear.

Anyone got a parts bin of old filters and hoods who could try it?!?

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 08, 2002.

i used a rather large drill (about 8mm) and a round file. it took me less that 15 minutes. i could have been more thorough though.

giles: the vented hood idea seems good. try it out. it doesn't fit the newer lenses with 46mm though, i think.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), February 08, 2002.

I have the 3rd Summicron with the E39 thread, unfourtunatly all my spare polarisers are 52 or 58 not 55 to fit the hood front, but I can't see why it wouldn't work. I also have B&W's cat. but cannot see a suitable step-up ring.

Anyway your solution is much neater than Leica's or my previous one of removing filter/turning while looking through/replacing in same position etc!

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 08, 2002.

the step-up ring is called heliopan nr.149 E77/46. you can keep both together in the plastic box that is supplied with the filter. it is a bit on the heavy side. i do not have a balance, i'd guess around 100g.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), February 08, 2002.

isn't there some new kenko device that let's one use any 77 filter on an m6? anyone have a link to that device so i can compare?

-- jon (tt@tristan.net), February 08, 2002.

Hi,

Everybody with less do-it-yourself skills might check out this one here . It comes as a complete set with adapters for 39, 46, 55, 60 threads and is well executed. Here's another thread in regard: http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=007HNz .

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), February 08, 2002.

In addition to the swing-out version, Leica makes a step-up ring (49 to 67, I think) with vents like the one Stefan made. My camera store showed it to me last week. Just pop in your polarizer and check the effects through the vent. I think it was about $70 (without polarizer).

-- Richard (rvle@yahoo.com), February 08, 2002.

of course i didn't invent this thing. i was just too greedy to pay $80 for something i could obtain for much less. i will have to cut another window though. although the 50 lux and the 35 lux share the same filter thread, they are mounted in a 90° angle. my version works just fine with the 50, but it is not tightly screwed onto the 35 to use the window. but my brutality warped the step-up ring, that scewing it on is a bit stiff, so it keeps its place. from time to time it needs some adjustment.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), February 09, 2002.