39mm is not 39mm?

Sparrow.jpg

A
Sparrow.jpg

  • 1
  • 0
  • 47
Orlovka river valley

A
Orlovka river valley

  • 6
  • 0
  • 103
Norfolk coast - 2

A
Norfolk coast - 2

  • 5
  • 1
  • 96
In the Vondelpark

A
In the Vondelpark

  • 4
  • 3
  • 179
Cascade

A
Cascade

  • sly
  • May 22, 2025
  • 9
  • 6
  • 151

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
197,852
Messages
2,765,535
Members
99,488
Latest member
angedani
Recent bookmarks
0

ColColt

Member
Joined
May 26, 2015
Messages
1,824
Location
TN
Format
Multi Format
I think i just messed up. I just bought a 39mm Nikon orange filter for my M2 lens, one a 50 f2 DR Summicron and a 90 f2.8 Elmarit. It will not fit the Elmarit but seems to work ok in the DR. All are 39.. so I'm at a loss why it won't fit the ElMarit. I haven't tried it with the Zeiss lens as yet. The threads appear to be more coarse than other 39mm filters I have.

Well, got it for $10 so, I'm not out much. It was in superb shape and 39mm so I figured it would fit all my lens. It nearly dropped down inside the Elmarit
 

Dr Croubie

Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2013
Messages
1,986
Location
rAdelaide
Format
Multi Format
I seem to remember reading somewhere that the early leicas were indeed a coarser thread than other regular 39mm filter threads.
Maybe it was on Cameraquest or Ken Rockwell. Got any really fine calipers?
 
OP
OP
ColColt

ColColt

Member
Joined
May 26, 2015
Messages
1,824
Location
TN
Format
Multi Format

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,183
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
It could be that the thread pitch differs.
 
OP
OP
ColColt

ColColt

Member
Joined
May 26, 2015
Messages
1,824
Location
TN
Format
Multi Format
That's probably the reason comparing it to a 39mm B+W filter. I was under the assumption a 39mm filter would fit any 39mm lens. Shows I've learned yet something else I "assume".

Odd it will work with the DR but not the Elmarit. The threads on those lens should be identical.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,208
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
Some times a 39mm thread is really a 38.5mm thread for filters if I remember correctly.
 
OP
OP
ColColt

ColColt

Member
Joined
May 26, 2015
Messages
1,824
Location
TN
Format
Multi Format
According to my RCBS calipers it's right on 39mm. My Starrett dial calipers read 1.530". It doesn't read in mm's.

there's about 1mm before the threads start at all on the filter.
 

gone

Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2009
Messages
5,505
Location
gone
Format
Medium Format
Your Elmarit takes a 39 x 0.5mm screw-in filter (E39).
 
OP
OP
ColColt

ColColt

Member
Joined
May 26, 2015
Messages
1,824
Location
TN
Format
Multi Format
That's why it won't work. The threads of the Elmarit are much finer than the ones on the filter. Ditto the Zeiss lens. The only lens that seem to take the filter is the Summicron(DR).
 

AgX

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
29,973
Location
Germany
Format
Multi Format
39x0.5 is the standard. I do not know of a 39mm thread with another pitch.

But there is 40x0.75 .


Get yourself a thread gauge. A cheap tool, that comes candy.
 

Knjy

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2013
Messages
44
Location
Surrey Engla
Format
35mm
39mm thread

If you offer the Nikon up to a known 39mm filter thread to thread (so it makes an infinity shape) you should be able to see if they are have differing thread pitch. I bough a few Chinese 40.5mm Lens Hoods for Contax and the threads were either poorly machined or slightly oversize. I greased the threads and they screwed in tightly, after a few repetitions the threads lost the anodising and now fit reasonably well although one has a 'short' amount of thread. This may not be your issue but does illustrate that sometimes the thread is OK just other factors.
 

Cycler

Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2015
Messages
60
Location
Pontefract,
Format
35mm
Unless they're 'Double-Leads' Most male threaded components have the threads rolled into them. Machinists and operators have to make certain that the components being rolled are all at the same angle. Otherwise you can get annular ridges rather than threads. As an engineering inspector I oncle rejected about 4 tons of double-leads! The Dept manager went potty; he blamed me! Talk about shooting the messenger; I just found & identified the fault. My manager then discovered that said manager had falsified the records to get the machine started sooner. Major Row!
 

Cycler

Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2015
Messages
60
Location
Pontefract,
Format
35mm
Test for 'double-leads'. Insert a finger-nail in the 'thread' and rotate component. Fingernail should move up or down. If it don't it's a DL.
 

lxdude

Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
7,094
Location
Redlands, So
Format
Multi Format
As an engineering inspector I oncle rejected about 4 tons of double-leads! The Dept manager went potty; he blamed me! Talk about shooting the messenger; I just found & identified the fault. My manager then discovered that said manager had falsified the records to get the machine started sooner. Major Row!
Been there. They get angry at inspection instead of themselves for the bad parts. I've been browbeaten, bullied, insulted, threatened, and physically assaulted. Never once did that change the dimensions of the parts or their acceptability.
 
Joined
Jan 17, 2005
Messages
1,355
Location
Downers Grov
Isn't there a std M39 that also comes a 'fine' (smaller pitch)?:smile:

Yes. Both lenses take the same filter thread.

Some cameras use a 39x.5 mm pitch and some 39x.75 mm pitch. All Leicas except two , CL 40 & 90 which use the other. Leica std is .5 mm pitch. Just looked it up.

It is possible to put one on part way if the pitch is wrong, but it will jam and not go on fully.

Maybe you have a bad lens from the factory or someone messed with it.
 
OP
OP
ColColt

ColColt

Member
Joined
May 26, 2015
Messages
1,824
Location
TN
Format
Multi Format
That's quite a chart. There's as many variables as cereal in the grocery store. As I mentioned, the B+W yellow and Haze filter I have fit great on all my lens...the Nikon does not. Obviously, it was for the Nikon range finder and not Leica. I figured it would still fit being "39mm". The Nikon threads are definitely more coarse. No big thing. I'll just buy another B+W orange filter. They're not that expensive.
 

AgX

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
29,973
Location
Germany
Format
Multi Format
Some cameras use a 39x.5 mm pitch and some 39x.75 mm pitch.

M39x1 and M39x0.75 are threads at lens mounts.
So far I did not know them being used at filters.

More reason to have a thread gauge in house.
 
OP
OP
ColColt

ColColt

Member
Joined
May 26, 2015
Messages
1,824
Location
TN
Format
Multi Format
For this you don't need a thread gauge. It's obvious the thread pitch is different. I made the wild assumption ALL 39mm threads were the same but, you know what they same about assuming.:smile:
 

AgX

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
29,973
Location
Germany
Format
Multi Format
How come, every time I want to take a picture someone suggests I buy yet another thing?:sad:

In real life you may do so,

But here at Apug with us tech nerds around you definitely have to buy that and modify this.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,208
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
How come, every time I want to take a picture someone suggests I buy yet another thing?:sad:

Because we all know that throwing money at a problem or a perceived problem will always solve all problems. :laugh:
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom