Correct filters/hoods...does it really matter?

[msbarnes]

I'm looking into some Leica LTM lenses but many people dislike the old filter threads (Summitar, Summarit, etc.).

Yeah it would be great if they were 39mm but can't one just adapt? Step up rings are readily available.

I use 50mm Canon/Nikon LTM lenses and just adapt them all to 46mm. I figured that the largest diameter lens that I would consider , at the time, is 46mm so I made that standard. My understanding, at the time, was that the correct shades were oftentimes collector items so I didn't bother pursuing them. I went with heavystar. No issues but my coatings are better than the Leica LTM ones.

I would, I think, standard to 39mm too, because I do not use that many filters and a lot of the lenses that I'm considering now are at that filter thread (M and LTM).

[Dektol Dan]

Very often I make hoods out of step rings. The wider the lens usually the less effective the hood, after all it will get in the way quickly.

[Roger Hicks]

(1) Find the adapter, or have it made.

(2) Put up with the fact that the resulting kludge is likely to be bigger and more awkward than the 'correct' bit, and may block the viewfinder (or block it more).

If that doesn't worry you, fine.

Cheers,

R.

[colyn]

I prefer to use series adapters with hoods then buy series VI or VII filters. They can usually be found cheaper than screw-in filters..