Filters for Leica/Leitz Summitar 50 2.0 lens

Hassasin · Jan 25, 2024

Looking at how Leitz went about front ring design on this Summitar 50 2.0 lens, dedicated filters were made to match. Filter thread is in deep recess and filters are built to match. One thing to get the original filters, but there is also an adapter made in China (not sure if Leica ever made one) that will allow 39mm filters to mount. Problem I see is vignetting issue. Looks like a rue thing if any number of filters are stacked, but even with just one optical path becomes even more restricted.

Has anyone used this kind of adapter? LINK

Hassasin · Jan 25, 2024

Leitrz did make this adapter SNHOO

Hassasin · Jan 25, 2024

To better illustrate .. my problem

Hassasin · Jan 25, 2024

While at it, I'll be interested to know hands on experience with one of these Chinese made adapters, quality wise. Looks like Leitz made it in brass, Chinese is aluminium, probably prone to jamming.

Saganich · Jan 25, 2024

May be better just to get the dedicated filters or Leitz adaptor. You'll be able to use a hood without issue, which is important for Summitar, unless you live in Wales.

Hassasin · Jan 25, 2024

Saganich said:
May be better just to get the dedicated filters or Leitz adaptor. You'll be able to use a hood without issue.

Adapter appears to be pretty close copy to the original.

Hood, I have the original collapsible one that mounts on the outside anyways. I don't think there's a screw-in hood that would NOT vignette with this arrangement.

250swb · Jan 26, 2024

Hassasin said:
To better illustrate .. my problem

View attachment 361122

What problem?

I use a Chinese made Rayqual adapter (with the same lettering as your adapter) all the time on my Summitars and wonder just why a fuss is being made about them? It screws on smoothly, it screws off smoothly, it takes 39mm filters and they in turn will take a lens hood and have never seen any vignetting. I also have the equivalent Leitz adapter and it works in exactly the same way. Is the problem you own and you want to stack a lot of filters for some reason, in which case get a 39mm to 46mm (or whatever) step up ring and mount that on the adapter then add all your larger diameter filters (I do not endorse filter stacking).

Hassasin · Jan 26, 2024

250swb said:
What problem?

I use a Chinese made Rayqual adapter (with the same lettering as your adapter) all the time on my Summitars and wonder just why a fuss is being made about them? It screws on smoothly, it screws off smoothly, it takes 39mm filters and they in turn will take a lens hood and have never seen any vignetting. I also have the equivalent Leitz adapter and it works in exactly the same way. Is the problem you own and you want to stack a lot of filters for some reason, in which case get a 39mm to 46mm (or whatever) step up ring and mount that on the adapter then add all your larger diameter filters (I do not endorse filter stacking).

I made no fuss, I asked a question, obviously have never used it, or I would not have asked. Thanks for the reply.

Kodachromeguy · Jan 26, 2024

I also have one of the Chinese adapters to mount 39mm filters on a Summitar lens. It fits fine with no issues. But I opted to buy genuine Summitar filters. They are reasonable price on Leica standards, and they let me mount the odd-ball but effective barn door hood.

Another option: you can buy a Series VI adapter for the Summitar and use those filters on this and other lenses.

250swb · Jan 27, 2024

Hassasin said:
I made no fuss, I asked a question, obviously have never used it, or I would not have asked. Thanks for the reply.

If you end up getting one a typical Summitar could have seventy years of crude pushed into the adapter/filter threads from years of lens cleaning because they are so close to the front element. So it's always worth cleaning out the thread as much as possible with naphtha or Isopropyl alcohol before screwing the adapter in.

qqphot · Jan 27, 2024

I have one; mechanically it's fine. With a single low profile 39mm filter it doesn't vignette detectably for me. However the one I received at least was not painted, it was bare aluminum througout. The Summitar is very prone to flare and the reflections with this adapter in place made the flare very obviously worse to the point I'd consider it not really usable without using the big box shade. After I painted the interior surface of the adapter ring (carefully masking the threads, of course) it is fine and quite useful.

250swb · Jan 28, 2024

Tamiya Flat Black XF-1 is a good paint to take shine off the inner face of an adapter. But Summitar's come both coated and un-coated and reflections are generally worse anyway on the uncoated type so it is a good idea to fix the problem before it happens.

Hassasin · Jan 28, 2024

The thing is the original Leitz adapter spoken of was factory blackened on the inner wall.

For the off-spring version clearly that needs to be done by own means. Might as well take the thing to local shop for black anodising process, or I believe this can be done at home too. Definitely a much nicer finish as a result.

qqphot · Jan 28, 2024

You can buy ones that are already black on the inner surface, which is probably easiest given their low cost. I was just surprised by how unmistakable a difference it made with the Summitar.

Filters for Leica/Leitz Summitar 50 2.0 lens

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency