Kodak series filters

lis boa · Feb 21, 2018

Having researched and read what's available on series filters I still have some doubts. I intend to buy a 135mm wide field ektar and a 203mm 7.7 anastigmat, both of which take push-on series filters. As I understand it :

I need to find an adapter that is the same size as the external diameter of the lens barrel. If you own either of these lenses, could you please tell me what the external diameter is?

The glass filter sits in the adapter which is then pushed on to and around the lens barrel. Does this leave the glass sitting against the front aspect of the lens barrel - is the glass touching the front of the barrel or is it the metal casing that is in contact with the barrel? Do I also need to look for a specifically sized filter?

The retaining ring (or lens hood) is then screwed on - to what? In order for it to keep the adapter and filter in place it would have to screw on to something that is part of the camera/lens, i imagine. i searched youtube in vain for something that illustrates how this works.

Thanks in advance for your help

jim10219 · Feb 21, 2018

Honestly, for large format lenses that don't have a screw on filter, I just hold the filter over the front of the lens. I usually hold a larger filter than what is required, so I don't have to worry about coverage. I've thought about devising a more permanent solution, but when it comes to LF photography, I've always got the camera up on the tripod and am out front fiddling around with the shutter anyway, so finding a free hand to hold a filter or lens shade isn't usually a problem.

E. von Hoegh · Feb 21, 2018

jim10219 said:
Honestly, for large format lenses that don't have a screw on filter, I just hold the filter over the front of the lens. I usually hold a larger filter than what is required, so I don't have to worry about coverage. I've thought about devising a more permanent solution, but when it comes to LF photography, I've always got the camera up on the tripod and am out front fiddling around with the shutter anyway, so finding a free hand to hold a filter or lens shade isn't usually a problem.

Unless you are making long exposures, which are pretty common in LF.

E. von Hoegh · Feb 21, 2018

lis boa said:
Having researched and read what's available on series filters I still have some doubts. I intend to buy a 135mm wide field ektar and a 203mm 7.7 anastigmat, both of which take push-on series filters. As I understand it :

I need to find an adapter that is the same size as the external diameter of the lens barrel. If you own either of these lenses, could you please tell me what the external diameter is?

The glass filter sits in the adapter which is then pushed on to and around the lens barrel. Does this leave the glass sitting against the front aspect of the lens barrel - is the glass touching the front of the barrel or is it the metal casing that is in contact with the barrel? Do I also need to look for a specifically sized filter?

The retaining ring (or lens hood) is then screwed on - to what? In order for it to keep the adapter and filter in place it would have to screw on to something that is part of the camera/lens, i imagine. i searched youtube in vain for something that illustrates how this works.

Thanks in advance for your help

Try this: http://throughavintagelens.com/2013/09/vintage-filter-systems/

lis boa · Feb 21, 2018

Thanks for the replies.

I have read the reference EV pointed me to 2 or 3 times but was still finding it hard to see the complete picture. I'll read it again.
And since I don't ever do exposures that are longer than a couple of seconds, Jim's suggestion would appear to be the way to go. Are there any issues with holding the filter still during the exposure? or with the angle at which it is held?

Thanks again

E. von Hoegh · Feb 21, 2018

lis boa said:
Thanks for the replies.

I have read the reference EV pointed me to 2 or 3 times but was still finding it hard to see the complete picture. I'll read it again.
And since I don't ever do exposures that are longer than a couple of seconds, Jim's suggestion would appear to be the way to go. Are there any issues with holding the filter still during the exposure? or with the angle at which it is held?

Thanks again

There are many photos, as well as text, showing and explaining how the filters fit in the adapter, are retained by the retaining ring, and the whole assembly is pushed onto the front of the lenses. You might find an old Kodak catalog online that tells what size series adapters will be needed for your lenses, or you could just measure the lenses.

As for holding the filter in your fingers, can you hold something absolutely, perfectly, motionless for two seconds at arm's length?
Get adapters and the appropriate three to five filters.

Hatchetman · Feb 21, 2018

the Kodak Series filter system works pretty well once you have the right pieces. You can find them on eBay pretty cheap with some time and patience. There is a push-on filter holder with retaining ring. you have to have the ring or the filter would fall out obviously. it holds the filter about 1/8 inch away from the lens if I recall.

silveror0 · Feb 21, 2018

This is worth a thorough read:

http://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera/system

lis boa · Feb 21, 2018

I don't have access to either filter or lens at the moment or i suspect i'd have been able to work it out by now.
just to recap my questions:

To what does the retaining ring attach and screw on?
do i need to know the precise measurement of the filter or just the adapter?
does anyone know the outer diameter of the 203mm anastigmat or the 135 wide field ektar?

Thanks again

M Carter · Feb 21, 2018

lis boa said:
I don't have access to either filter or lens at the moment or i suspect i'd have been able to work it out by now.
just to recap my questions:

To what does the retaining ring attach and screw on?
do i need to know the precise measurement of the filter or just the adapter?
does anyone know the outer diameter of the 203mm anastigmat or the 135 wide field ektar?

Thanks again

In my experience:

Series filters are a specific size (width, diameter, etc).

The filter-holder that slips on the lens - it has a circle of sort of cut-metal tabs - you can see it in plenty of pictures - that grip the front cell. You can bend these gently in or out for the optimal fit, but do it fairly evenly all the way around. With some, you can have something like 1/8" of 'range", but I wouldn't go back and forth and bend them every time - do it once for a specific lens so you don't break those teeth/tabs/whatever we should call them. But - the actual filters are all the same size.

Often there are various sized holders - like, a series 6 may have that toothy ring ranging from something like 1/375" to 2", usually expressed in millimeters on the ring, and mm and inches on the packaging (so for ebay auctions, look at the box if there's a photo of the side of the box). Look at closeups photos of the holder itself.

Some holders come with the ring, others don't. Rings are all over ebay as individual purchases. A series 6 retaining ring or hood is always the same size; it's the part that "tooths" onto the lens that varies.

The holder has a "lip" that keeps the filter from falling out on the lens side - or hitting the lens. There's a threaded portion where either a retaining ring, or a lens cap screws in.

With some series holders, the thread for the retaining ring is close to that of a step-up ring (though i think the threads are coarser than screw-in filters). This can be very handy - I use a Hawkeye with a flipped lens; I found the series holder for it, and forced a step-up ring (52mm) into the threads with some loctite added. Now I don't need to find all the series filters - I can just use 52mm, and all of my oddball cameras with series-style lenses can use standard filters, and all I take out with me are 52mm and 72mm filter pouches.

silveror0 · Feb 21, 2018

Do you intend to use a filter AND a lens hood?

choiliefan · Feb 21, 2018

I wonder if the lens in question is devised to take a series filter directly with a screw-on retaining ring to secure it in place. My Kodak Medalist II takes a Series VI in this fashion. If a lens hood is desired, it screws in, in lieu of the retaining ring and can secure the filter as well.

Monkeying around with a 210mm LF lens a couple days ago I discovered that a Series VIII filter retaining ring is 67mm diameter and seems to screw on very well.

lis boa · Feb 21, 2018

I thank you all for your help - especially M Carter for his/her considerable efforts.

I think I have finally understood and my understanding is that the only thing holding the whole assembly to the lens are the metal tabs which one bends to make a snug fit. Is my understanding correct?

My confusion arose because i couldn't believe that there wasn't a more secure arrangement. It really is a push on filter - to get it off, all you do is pull it off. I was inclined to believe that the retaining ring was providing a more secure anchorage to the camera/lens body.

SI, yes, I do intend to use a lens hood whenever the lenses are in use especially as the anastigmat is uncoated. And when a filter is present, it and the lens hood will be used together.

CH, what you describe is how I now understand it to work - either the retaining ring or the lens hood is used to hold the filter and the adapter together - not to connect the whole assembly to the camera/lens.

Thanks, once again to all.

Sirius Glass · Feb 21, 2018

The filter does not need to touch the lens barrel. I store the filter in the filter adapter: slip on part, filter, filter ring or filter hood.

shutterfinger · Feb 21, 2018

lis boa said:
the only thing holding the whole assembly to the lens are the metal tabs which one bends to make a snug fit. Is my understanding correct?

Those tabs can be reformed ± 0.25mm beyond that they may break.
If you have trouble finding the correct size felt or leather can be glued to the inside edge of a larger ring to reduce it to the size you need, 0.5 to 1mm is about the max reduction.

Paul Howell · Feb 21, 2018

I have Kodak Series filters from 5 to 8, only issue with the 5 is that finding good clean filters has become more of challenge. I have S5 I that bought in the 60 and becoming cloudy with ager. With S6 to 8 I use standard 48mm and 57mm filters that seem to drop in just fine. I have also modified a Cokrin filter holder to fit over my 210 and 152mm lens.

Jim Jones · Feb 21, 2018

lis boa said:
I don't have access to either filter or lens at the moment or i suspect i'd have been able to work it out by now.
just to recap my questions:

To what does the retaining ring attach and screw on?
do i need to know the precise measurement of the filter or just the adapter?
does anyone know the outer diameter of the 203mm anastigmat or the 135 wide field ektar?

Thanks again

A 1943 Kodak Reference Manual states that the 203mm Kodak Anastigmat uses a series VI filter holder for a 1 5/8 inch (33mm) diameter lens. Sorry, I don't have information on your Wide Field Ektar. Step-up rings were made so larger filters could be used on smaller lenses, eliminating the need for different size filters for different size lenses.

shutterfinger · Feb 21, 2018

Mr. Jones reminded me of this catalog http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/kodak_4.html which shows the 135mm WFE to use Series 7 filters and claims it has a built in retainer ring.
It confirms that the 203mm uses a 33mm Series 6 filter adapter.

Doremus Scudder · Feb 22, 2018

I have both the Etars mentioned (135mm WF and 203mm). The 135mm needs no adapter, it is threaded for Series VII. Originally the lens came with a retaining ring, but most of them have got lost over the years. Both my 135mm WF lenses have a Series VI to 52mm adapter ring so I can use 52mm filters with them. 52mm is only slightly smaller than Series VII, so there is no vignetting except at the very extreme edge of the image circle. If I need all the coverage the lens can offer, I use a 67mm adapter. The Series VII adapters are readily available on eBay.

The 203mm f/7.7 needs a push-on adapter. If you don't have one, you'll need to get one made or rig up something. Again, I've adapted my push-on adapter to take 52mm filters. S.K. Grimes or another machinist can make you a push-on adapter that accepts the more common screw-in filters. I've chosen 52mm since that works with the majority of lenses I own (I have step-up rings for lenses that take smaller filters and, as mentioned, slight step-down rings for the 135mm WF Ektars).

I'm not sure if Series filters are still made. Used ones are pretty old and many have faded. My advice is to find a way to adapt to a newer filter size to give you access to more modern (and coated) filters plus a wider selection.

Best,

Doremus

Patrick Robert James · Feb 22, 2018

I don't think it has been mentioned yet, but the series hoods replace the retaining ring so you don't need both.

Push on filter holders are great for large format. Being able to focus without the filter, then just pushing the filter/hood on is a time saver.

Back when there still were camera shows (remember those?) I used to buy lots of series rings and filters. I am glad that I did now. I would just ask to buy whatever box full of them the individuals had and if the price was right, I would get them. Most of the time they were glad to get rid of them. I threw away a bunch a few years ago, but I have a ton of them still (I think) so if you know exactly what you want, let me know and I'll check if I have one.

M Carter · Feb 22, 2018

lis boa said:
I thank you all for your help - especially M Carter for his/her considerable efforts.

My confusion arose because i couldn't believe that there wasn't a more secure arrangement. It really is a push on filter - to get it off, all you do is pull it off. I was inclined to believe that the retaining ring was providing a more secure anchorage to the camera/lens body.

You'd be surprised - on every camera I've used them on, they really do grip tightly. Even with a step ring and a big Tiffen filter (which does look pretty funny on a Hawkeye...) I've even used them with a cheapo ebay "wide-angle adapter", which is a pretty clunky and heavy thing. I do try to keep a hand on that though.

Pentode · Feb 22, 2018

Something else that has not been mentioned is that series filter holders are not all slip-on. They were also made in just about every thread imaginable. They also made step-up rings that would go from one series filter holder to the next size up.

I use series VI and series V filters for most of my fixed-lens rangefinders. Ebay provided me with all the adaptors I needed to use two sets of filters on a bunch of cameras and these adaptors are very cheap.

As far as I know Tiffen still makes new, modern, coated filters in series sizes. B+W may as well.

Bud Hamblen · Feb 22, 2018

B&H Photo advertises series 7, 8 and 9 sizes on their web site (most are series 9). You might be able to get a screw-in filter to fit inside a series adapter. I've thought about removing the filter ring and just using the glass. I've got some Bolsey series 5 filters that are just glass - no protective metal ring. It could work if I can remove the ring from a modern filter without breaking it - if I can find the right size of filter.

Arklatexian · Feb 22, 2018

lis boa said:
Having researched and read what's available on series filters I still have some doubts. I intend to buy a 135mm wide field ektar and a 203mm 7.7 anastigmat, both of which take push-on series filters. As I understand it :

I need to find an adapter that is the same size as the external diameter of the lens barrel. If you own either of these lenses, could you please tell me what the external diameter is?

The glass filter sits in the adapter which is then pushed on to and around the lens barrel. Does this leave the glass sitting against the front aspect of the lens barrel - is the glass touching the front of the barrel or is it the metal casing that is in contact with the barrel? Do I also need to look for a specifically sized filter?

The retaining ring (or lens hood) is then screwed on - to what? In order for it to keep the adapter and filter in place it would have to screw on to something that is part of the camera/lens, i imagine. i searched youtube in vain for something that illustrates how this works.

Thanks in advance for your help

My 135mm Wide Field Ektar, which I am looking at right now, came with a built-on Series VII adapter and a Kodak Series VII sun shade screws right into it. If you don't want to use the sunshade, a Series VII retaining ring or a more useful Series VII to VIII step-up ring would hold Series VII filters in front of the lens. My 203mm, f:7.7 Ektar which I am also looking at is a later one that came in a Compur shutter which I ruined and. later sent it to Grimes who remounted the lens in a Copal 1 shutter and he made me an adapter ring/step-up/ring which screws directly into the lens. All for, which I thought, was a nominal price. I do not like using slip-on adapter rings and I only have one inn my possession that requires one. If you know a good repairperson, check into having them adapt the 203mm.......Regards and you will enjoy using those lenses. I seldom use filters, but I do believe-in and use lens hoods......

Sirius Glass · Feb 23, 2018

This is a source I used for series filters: http://www.filterfind.net/Index.html

Kodak series filters

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