how to use polarizer filter on rangefinders?

[LeicaFoReVer]

how can you turn it to the correct angle without seeing through the lens...is there a way on film rangefinder cameras?

[thegman]

You could hold it in front of the finder and try to get it the same when you put it on the lens, but I think generally range finders don't suit circular polarizers.

[sevo]

Well, you either purchase that expensive swing-out Leica contraption, the barely less expensive angle marked polarizer pair made by (IIRC) B+W, or you simply buy a second polarizer (any plain linear uncoated one will do, as that one will be your viewing polarizer only). Mark both at identical angle, reattach the good one to the camera, view the scenery through the viewing one and transfer the found position to the camera polarizer.

[LeicaFoReVer]

how am I going to find and mark at identical angles?

[ferider]

Use the meter of your M6. Twist the polarizer until you have minimum light transmission.

[LeicaFoReVer]

Originally Posted by ferider

Use the meter of your M6. Twist the polarizer until you have minimum light transmission.

That explains all!

I already have 49mm polarizers and I am going to use them with a step-down ring 49 to 39 to put on my 39mm lenses cheap solution

thanks...

[sevo]

Originally Posted by LeicaFoReVer

how am I going to find and mark at identical angles?

Easy: Get a linear polarizer for the viewing filter, as linear ones work either way (circular ones stop working with the rear facing outward, as the light is then going though the circular plate first). Hold the viewing filter in front of the main polarizer, point at a wall or other area source of unpolarized light, and turn it until you find the angle of maximum brightness. Cross-check the result - if it is not near black at 90° offset to either side, there is a misoriented circular polarizer somewhere in your setup.

Sevo

[bolohead]

You can do it with a 39 to 77mm step up ring and a 77mm circular polarizer. You need to do a little machine work on the step up ring to make a viewing window so that you can see the CPL through the viewfinder. Then you can rotate it to the correct position while viewing the results through the viewfinder.