72mm XL and 95mm BW filters

Ardpatrick

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I recently acquired a Schneider Super Angulon 72mm XL lens. I’ll use it for 4x5 and 6x9 as needed.

I shoot black & white film and mostly use a yellow filter. Given the lens has a 95mm front thread, filters are no simple affair. But I have just acquired a used 95mm BW screw in yellow filter.

The filter threads mate properly but then I did the old test of putting a slip of paper over the bulbous centre of the lens whilst screwing on the yellow filter. I tested because the front lens element is quite prominent on the 72XL and the glass is deeply set in the filter ring.

The filter appears to trap / pinch the paper as it screws in indicating the filter would make contact with the lens as it’s screws on firmly. A partial unscrew frees the paper.

I’ve had this issue with a 110 XL before and resolved the matter via a 67-82mm step up ring and 82mm filters. The idea of stepping up from 95mm filter threads seems infeasible.

Short of buying a 95mm filter and removing the glass to use only the frame as a spacer, is there any other solution? I was thinking f.x. about a rubber washer of sorts that would be a thin spacer whilst allowing enough grip to allow the filter to screw down ‘against’ some resistance.

Any suggestions welcome.
 

Neil Poulsen

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Are you sure that a 75mm SW f5.6 lens won't meet your needs? What do you photography that requires such a special purpose lens?

I had the 90mm f5.6 Super Angulon XL, which has the same filter size. I finally got rid of it for a Nikon 90mm f8, which has ample coverage for my needs. (235mm.)
 

Ian C

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One possible solution: Use a 95 mm to 105 mm step-up ring and a 105 mm filter.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/809667-REG/Sensei_sur95105_95_105mm_Step_Up_Ring.html


The next one has a knurled gripping surface on the OD.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1642280-REG/sensei_surpa_95105_sensei_pro_95_105mm_alum.html


The problem with this: The price of new 105 mm glass filters has become ridiculously expensive. Unless you can find something cheaper on eBay, or from a seller of pre-owned filters.

A cheap solution is a thin gelatine or polyester filter over the rear cell. It’s easy to make a Xenophon-type filter holder from cardstock and fasten it with a small rubber band (not too tight) or with some low-tack tape making it easy to remove.

Since it’s inside the bellows, it stays clean. The gelatine and polyester filters intended for lenses are generally 0.08 mm, or about 0.003” in thickness. Thus, they won’t degrade the image.

https://leefilters.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/23052-how-thick-are-the-gel-filters

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/102714-REG/LEE_Filters_15P3_3x3_Deep_Yellow_15.html/specs
 

naaldvoerder

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This is just brainstorming, but maybe it is possible to limit the threads on the filter with small beats of solder?
 
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Ardpatrick

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Thanks Neil. The lens was ‘available’ at a great price when I needed a 72-75mm lens option. I may indeed unload it in favor of a 75mm Nikon / Rodenstock option but right now that’s not the question I’m addressing. I have 58 / 65 / 90 / 110mn lens options so I am not stuck.
 
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Ardpatrick

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Thanks Ian,

I don’t want to get into 105mm filters if possible. Funnily enough I initially bought a Lee 100mm yellow gel filter in a frame. Then the 95mm BW option arrived and I thought I was set. The Lee filter remains an option but I’d love if the BW filter could just sit on the front of the lens almost as a protection filter.
 
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Ardpatrick

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naaldvoerder said:
This is just brainstorming, but maybe it is possible to limit the threads on the filter with small beats of solder?
Click to expand...

This is the sort of creative thinking I’m looking for. Something that makes the filter thread shallower might work. Almost like a gigantic 95mm lens shim!
 

naaldvoerder

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Of a thin rubber band around the threads. You may have to file a littel gully proximate to the filter glas, to keep the rubber band in position.
 

Rayt

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I just don’t screw the filter in all the way and then remove it after the shot.
 
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Ardpatrick

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Rayt said:
I just don’t screw the filter in all the way and then remove it after the shot.
Click to expand...

Again thanks for the common sense. Sometimes the simplest approach is the best in practice.

I could possibly use a permanent marker to mark the thread depth threshold.

OTOH I’d love something fully secure.
 

Rod Klukas

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Simple solution: Use a thin rubber band on the threads of the filter and it can't screw completely in. Don't screw it past when you feel the the filter start to compress the rubber band.

Carry a few extras.

Rod
 

Rod Klukas

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Sorry I missed the answer already up there.

One thing about the 72mm is it does fall off a lot if moved off axis for rise, for instance. A Center filter makes a lot of difference, and it is a step up ring as well.

It is Ok with B&W film or Color negative, but very poor with transparency film and no filter.
 
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Ardpatrick

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Thanks Rob. Yes a rubber band (with backups) might work. And it would not be the first time I’ve relied on rubber bands to make expensive photo gear work.

Good to know about fall-off. Inevitable with wides but I had read somewhere the “XL” image circle meant a bit less fall-off at least ‘on-axis.’ I’m shooting B&W 4x5 or 6x9 so a little more forgiving than transparency. I don’t have a center filter.
 
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Ardpatrick

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Another ideal solution:

The BW filter frame has a lovely ring approx 5mm deep with the glass set towards the back. There is a relatively shallow approx 2mm thread behind and the glass rear side is approx 1.5mm recessed from the back of the filter. Were the glass positioned more centrally within the frame there would be no issue.

Looking at it I realise if there were a 95mm coupling ring (I have a 52mm one) I could reverse the mounting of the filter on the lens eliminating the issue completely. I am assuming here that the front and back of the glass filter are interchangeable.

Anyone ever come across a 95mm coupling ring?
 
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Ardpatrick

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Could this be a solution? Off-sets the filter a couple of mm:

 

abruzzi

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Is there a reason not to use another filter’s ring as a spacer? All the other solutions seem complicated, or unreliable. I looked and there is a brand new Vivitar UV 95mm filter on eBay for $8.99 plus $3.99 shipping.
 
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Ardpatrick

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abruzzi said:
Is there a reason not to use another filter’s ring as a spacer? All the other solutions seem complicated, or unreliable. I looked and there is a brand new Vivitar UV 95mm filter on eBay for $8.99 plus $3.99 shipping.
Click to expand...

Yes. I’ve just circled back to that same solution after further research and consideration.

Thanks all.
 

Rod Klukas

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105mm filters are actually more common than 95s. And a 95mm to 105mm step ring would ensure there would be less or no vignetting.

Your color, or tonality in the case of B&W, near the edges would be also be better. Even on film you do get some separation of the RGB light rays as you get further from center.

It is easy to miss this on film, as film brings the color to the image, whereas with digital capture, you are creating it. But the center filter evens the intensity of the light and makes for better images that print easier.

Rod
 
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Ardpatrick

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Thanks Rod. That’s all new and valuable info for me. I will keep the idea of a 105mm filter set in mind going forward. Or maybe as you suggested much earlier- switch to a more manageable 75mm lens.
 
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