Filters for Zeiss Ikoflex Ia TLR

[ProfessorC1983]

This is my first TLR and I'm loving it so far! But I'd like to get a nice set of filters to enable more shooting in bright sunshine (yellow, red, ND, maybe a linear polarizer?). Looks like the taking lens has a 35.5mm thread mount. While it's not impossible to find filters in that size (granted the original Zeiss ones are fairly unobtanium), it seems to be a "special order" sort of affair and ideally I'd like to invest in a nice set that could potentially be used with other cameras/lenses down the line.

So I'm looking at getting a 35.5mm to 49mm enlarging ring, which (based on my HIGHLY accurate measurements of holding a ruler up to the lens ring and squinting) looks like the largest standard-size filter I could apply without interfering with the viewing lens. Is that a reasonable approach or should I suck it up and source the more expensive smaller filters?

 

[Pioneer]

You are right, they are 35.5mm. I can't advise on the enlarging ring but it may interfere with your viewing lens.

I use a set of the 371 Zeiss filters that are in pretty good shape. Since the Zeiss filters were pretty high quality glass filters in the first place they seem to have held up well over the years. I was willing to pay a little extra because they also work on some of my lenses for the Contax rangefinder.

To be truthful I rarely use anything more than the yellow filter which seems to provide more than enough contrast for my purposes with modern film. I use mine primarily on A IIa Ikoflex which has a coated Tessar lens. I don't know whether yours was coated or not but the Tessars were pretty good in regards to contrast anyway. Maybe you can start by picking up a yellow in the size you want and see how that works out.

 

[GRHazelton]

I've had good luck dealing with Filterfind.net. For example I have a Zeiss Contessa 35, the 50mm Tessar of which has threads on the OUTSIDE of the lens front cell. Tim at Filterfind turned up an appropriate Series adapter, so filters are now easy to find.

 

[MattKing]

Look for a 35.5mm to 37mm step-up ring.
That will allow you to use the wonderfully tiny 37mm filters that fit on a lot of Olympus digital camera lenses and Go Pro lenses.
A nice set of them will fit in a very small and light filter wallet.
It is easy to buy lenscaps in that size too.

 

[eli griggs]

I suggest 39mm as there are loads of quality "Leica" type lenses, including old Zeiss.

Also buy two high quality Bay and threaded stepup rings, brass if you can, as aluminum rings are too easy to mangle.

In my experience, IMO.

 

[jsouther]

Using 39mm filters is what I wound up doing as well. I purchased a heliopan #292 35.5 to 39mm step up ring from B&H. They have them listed as special order (2 to 4 weeks) for $18.95. Fits nicely and doesn't obstruct anything.