Series 6 Filters

[Eric S]

Does anyone recognize this filter?
Does anyone still shoot with the equipment that uses these?

I stumbled on a box of them at an antique dealer (i'm using that expression generously).

 

[MattKing]

Yes and Yes
https://filterfind.net/Series_6.html

 

[Sirius Glass]

Series filters are still used in older cameras which were built before threaded filters and quite common for large format lenses.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Another advantage of series filters: with appropriate adapters, you can use one set of filters on different lenses and can avoid buying threaded or bayonet filters unique to those lenses. For example, I can use Series VI filters on:
Leitz Summitar lens
35mm and 50mm Summicron lenses
Voigtlander Vito BL 50mm Color-Skopar lens
Rolleiflex Bayonet II Xenotar lens
Schneider 90mm ƒ/6.8 Angulon lens

Note: series filters are a bit slow to set up in the field, and I have bought some threaded and Bay. II filters that are quicker to attach to their respective lenses.

 

[ProfessorC1983]

Yes, as I use primarily 50s era West German cameras/lenses that have odd filter sizes, like 35.5mm and 40.5mm fine thread, it made much more sense to buy Series 6 or 7 adapters for each lens and then only needed to invest in a single set of filters.

 

[Pentode]

Absolutely! I keep a set of Series V, VI and VII filters and a pile of adapters handy for odd-sized lenses.

I've never used that particular color correction filter (because I seldom use color film) but I have a wide array of black & white contrast filters, many found at flea markets and camera swaps.

 

[Eric S]

Interesting. Thanks. Well, I dragged home a box of them, brand new in their little boxes. I might have about 60 - 75 of them. Some of the adapters you mentioned. Both B&W and Color...
I'll have to make a spreadsheet with the types, quantity, etc... I'll post'm up in the classified once I get them all catalogued.

 

[markjwyatt]

I use Series VI filters on my Retina Reflex. I needed to get one holder that fit the lenses, and then I got Med Y, Med R, and deep Y filters.

 

[Randy Stewart]

When I started into photography in the late 1950s, Series filters were the only game in town, although the shift to direct threaded filter in various sizes started about that time. Introduction of the Nikon F pushed that trend strongly, as most or all of its initial lenses took the 52mm thread filter. I acquired a complete collection of Kodak Watten Series 6 filters for B&W by 1960. Then as I launched into Nikon equipment, they when into storage for another 15 years, until I bought my first Koni-Omega camera, the lenses for which directly take Series sized filters and come with matching retaining rings, although the Koni system of lenses use Series 6, 7 and 8. At the time, later 1970s, Series filters in like new condition could be had in any type and value for just a few dollars each, so I bought up Series 7 and 8 for my Koni. The Kodak Watten filters were the quality leader, being assembled with two thin plates of optical glass, sandwiching a sheet of filter gel. These were before the lens makers figured out how to uniformly and reliably dye optical glass in batches. Those advancements doomed the Watten filters, which were much more expensive to make.

 

[Eric S]

Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed reading the history.
I've used them as gels on my strobes. Some of the push on hoods that hold the filters fit perfectly on my snoots. I splash colored light on my backgrounds... lol