[Leica] Filter System for "M" Landscape Photography

[mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner)]

I love the idea of a square filter system I used to have an old one I'd use
with my early view cameras. Real old. In a wood box they came in. a mired
set. From Harrison and Harrison I think. Fron Rochester I think.
But glass. Not coated. Not thin.
The use of resin filters does not feel right to me. I'd spend the extra
bucks on the glass versions I believe are also available. As I scratch
things when look at them funny. And am just a glass guy. I even had glass
eyeglasses for a while (Zeiss) and they were a lot heavier than the
standard.

--------------------
Mark William Rabiner
Photography
mark at rabinergroup.com


> From: Bob Adler <rgacpa at yahoo.com>
> Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org>
> Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2010 08:19:40 -0700 (PDT)
> To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org>
> Subject: [Leica] Filter System for "M" Landscape Photography
> 
> Moving on from the UV/IR filter battle, I've just finished "constructing"
> an arrangement for my M that allows me to use the Lee filters that I use 
> for
> my 
> other  camera systems. I now can use one set of filters for my Canon, Hassy
> and 
> 4x5. 
> 
> Lee is now selling (though I'm not sure they're actually producing any as 
> no
> one 
> has them) it's RF filter system, which costs about $800 for a starter kit 
> (one
> 46mm mount, one polarizing filter, filter holder (holds about 2 filters) 
> and a
> couple of graduated neutral density (ND) filters. That was a bit rich for 
> me
> added with the fact that I would've had to buy a whole new set of filters
> because of the odd size of the holder (not 4x6 as all my other Lee filters
> are). 
> 
> My solution was to buy 49mm and 55mm Cokin "Z Pro" filter holders; one 
> fitting
> a 
> 55mm lens (my 21mm M lens) and one fitting a 49mm lens (my 135). These are 
> the
> only two "Z Pro" holders that fit my M lens. For the other sizes I needed,
> 46mm 
> for my 50 and 39mm for my 35, I bought a regular Cokin system holder for 
> each.
> They make them in those two sizes. I glued those on the other side of the 
> 49mm
> holder and, since they would have blocked the hole in my 55mm holder, 
> bought
> another 49mm holder to glue the other one to. Both obviously glued 
> together on
> their non-thread sides.
> 
> At any rate, I can now use all my Lee filters with my M. Total cost was 
> about
> $50. Though you can't really see what your doing through the viewfinder, 
> you
> can 
> guess pretty well and adjust when you view on the LCD screen if you have a
> digital M. I have used a similar technique in the past (just hand holding 
> a ND
> or grad ND filter in front of the lens and guessing) with film and it's 
> worked
> out well, especially the ND filters which don't require any particular
> placement.
> 
> Just thought I'd pass this on for anyone daring to put an M on a tripod to
> take 
> landscapes :-)
> 
> Best,
> Bob
> 
> Bob Adler
> Palo Alto, CA
> http://www.rgaphoto.com
> 
> 
> 
>       
> 
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