Filters for big old lenses?

MenacingTourist · May 18, 2007

I have a few of these lovely barrel lenses that I mostly use for portraiture and the occasional landscape. I'm never happy with my rock and tree photos and I would like to try getting the sky darker with an orange or red filter.

Shooting details:
I'm using Efke 100 film (I have a nice little stash) and shooting with some large RR type lenses on a 2D with 8x10 and 5x7 backs. Film developed in Rollo Pyro and printing on Forte multigrade FB in Dektol.

I'm assuming I will need square filters that attach with an adaptor.

What other info do I need to think about and does anyone have suggestions on what would work?

Thanks,

Alan.

Nick Zentena · May 18, 2007

I assume no threads?

How big is the barrel? Less then 4" shouldn't be too hard. Less then the size of the Lee snap on real easy. I think the Lee goes up to 82mm? Or is it 75mm? Bigger then 4"? Going to get expensive I think. Those 6" filters aren't cheap.

David A. Goldfarb · May 18, 2007

The easiest to use are clip-on adapters with square filters. I have a 3x3" adapter with barn doors and a simple spring clip made by Voss that I found at KEH for $15. I also have a 4x4" Lee Gel Snap, which uses a rubber band, also fairly inexpensive and simple. You don't need anything with threaded adapters.

On my Sinar, I use the swing-away 4" square filter holder. I think the one I have has a Kenko gel holder epoxied to the Sinar round holder for the polarizer. It works even for my portrait lenses.

On the Linhof Tech V, I use the compendium which has a slot for 4" gels on the rear standard.

Lee makes a set of 4" ND gels, which are handy for portrait lenses, so you can choose the aperture for the best effect, even if you have only one shutter speed.

David H. Bebbington · May 18, 2007

Cokin make filter holders in both P and X-pro sizes which attach by 3 thumbscrews and will thus work with any lens.

MenacingTourist · May 18, 2007

I love how rubber bands add that extra touch of class to these old cameras
Plus, low-tech is just how I roll.

Pinholemaster · May 18, 2007

I don't own this, but have looked at it from time to time as a good way to mount 4x4 filters on big glass.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=162980&is=REG

Brook · May 18, 2007

I use 4" wrattan filters with a bit of black masking tape to hold in place, filters taped on the rear lens element. Crude but effective.

Steve Smith · May 18, 2007

You may be able to get away with a smaller (= cheaper) filter on the rear of the lens. It depends on how non-symmetrical it's design is.

Steve.

Shmoo · May 19, 2007

Brook said:
I use 4" wrattan filters with a bit of black masking tape to hold in place, filters taped on the rear lens element. Crude but effective.

I do something similar. I roll a piece of photo tape into a tube (sticky side out). I put a couple of these around the edge of the lens and tack a 4" Wrattan filter on. It works in all except the most windy situations. Just make sure you handle the filter by the edges.

S

doughowk · May 19, 2007

I get a step-up ring with the smaller size the inside dimensions of the lens front. Then use Gorilla glue ( tried welders glue but its hard to remove if decide otherwise). I've done this with my older lenses & sure makes it easy to use a 77mm filter which I'm trying to standardize on..

Christopher D. Keth · May 21, 2007

Filters for movie cameras are made in 4'x4', 4'x5.65', and 6'x6' sizes. They aren't cheap but a solution is possible.

Robert Hall · May 22, 2007

check with surplus stores. I find optical glass in orange, yellow, and red used for aerial cameras for sale up to 5 inches.

I have several, measure your lens, let me know, I may have something for you.

Silverhead · May 22, 2007

I would consider going with the Lee Gel-Snap system. It'll fit on pretty much any kind of lens barrel, plus there's a wide variety of mounted filters available (no tearing, yay!), including standard B&W, daylight-flourescent, tungsten-flourescent, ND, infrared, soft, warming...you get the idea. You can find it at Freestyle and other major dealers.

roodpe · May 24, 2007

The Lee Gel Snap holder is fine if your lenses are less than 4" (100mm) in diameter. The Cokin X system is best for larger lenses. As mentioned, you can use a 4- point screw type mount for adjustability for different size barrels. The filters are 170mmx130mm so they cover most big lenses. B&W filters are ~$60 each. This is very reasonable since filters tend to be expensive in sizes bigger than 4x4.

phfitz · May 24, 2007

Hi there,

Ilford made Multigrade filters up tp 6x6in

Roscolux filters

Either could be internal mounted, out of the wind and clean.

Have fun with it.

Filters for big old lenses?

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