REVIEWS - Leica Universal Polarizer #13356

OVERVIEW

Before using the Leica M8 back in 2007, my main digital cameras had been the Canon 1Ds series. Using filters on a TTL system (through-the-lens) like the Canon 1Ds Mark III was easy because what you see in the viewfinder is what you get. Coming from a SLR background, this is how I expected the world to work. Not so with a rangefinder because it is not a TTL camera. Initially I thought polarizers would not be possible with the Leica M, but eventually I stumbled across the Leica Universal Polarizer Kit (#13356) for the Leica M system.

As “cool” gadgets go, the Leica Universal Polarizer deserves a Boy Scout merit badge. The design is simple - the polarizer filter simply pivots 180º to the 12:00 position above the camera. While looking directly through filter, the polarizer is rotated until the desired effect is achieved. Then the polarizer is swung (or pivoted) back to the closed position - which is exactly a 180º arc. Now the polarizer filter is front of the lens and doing its job. The simplicity is genius. The process may be a bit victorian, but the ingenuity is charming and the process is very engaging.

BUILD QUALITY

The polarizer’s pivot action is very smooth - not too tight, not too loose. There is a stopping mechanism to ensure the filter does not swing past 180º. In the closed position there is a soft stop / click which keeps the polarizer in place. The polarizer has a small hood, offering some protection against flare. The hood is very shallow, so do not expect miracles. The polarizer itself rotates easily. I have owned several of these kits over the years - some have had stiffer resistance, some have spun very easily (perhaps too easily).

The Leica Universal Polarizer comes in a nicely made nylon case. The case unzips and opens like a clam shell. On one side is a foam rubber insert for holding the polarizer unit. On the opposite side is a series of four accordion style pockets for holding each adapter individually. The polarizer kit comes standard with E39 and E46 adapters. Optional E49 adapters are available, there are two E49 adapters:

• Leica #14211 - For E49 lenses EXCEPT the Leica 135mm F3.4 Telyt-M APO and Leica 75mm F2 Summicron-M APO.
• Leica #14418 - For the 135mm F3.4 Telyt-M APO and Leica 75mm F2 Summicron-M APO. Do NOT use #14211 with the 135mm F3.4 Telyt-M APO or 75mm F2 Summicron-M APO; the polarizer with scratch the edge of the lens hood when tightened.
• Leica #14213 - For the Leica 135mm F4 Tele Elmar M (E46); this adapter ring has been discontinued and can be difficult to find. It is needed because the standard E46 is flush with the hood, and attaching the polarizer (tightening the screw) with scratch the lens' built-in hood.

I have no idea which lenses #14211 is intended for; #14418 is taller and provides clearance for the clamping mechanism. In my opinion, there is no reason to buy #14211 because the #14418 will work on all E49 M lenses. Adapter #14213 is discontinued, but a 46mm to 49mm step-up ring with #14418 will work as an alternative for the 135mm F4 Tele-Elmar M (2nd version with E46 thread). The Leica Universal Kit works with filter sizes E39 through E49, so it will not work on lenses such as the Leica 90mm F2 Summicron-M APO, Leica 50mm F.95 Noctilux-M ASPH, etc.

For lenses with filter sizes greater than 49mm, the Leica E60 to E82 Filter Adapter is an option. The idea being to look through cut outs to see the polarizer effect.

HANDLING

The Leica Universal Polarizer weighs about 3 ounces, so the camera’s balance and feel are mostly unaffected. Swinging the polarizer to the 12:00 position, rotating the polarizer to the desired effect and then swinging the polarizer back takes several seconds. If trying to move quickly, repeating the process can be tedious. I prefer to have the flip-up position at 12:00 - straight over the hot shoe. Leica likely intended the flip up position to be at 2:00 so the polarized view is visible through the rangefinder window - clever. Whether using the 12:00 or 2:00 is purely preference and has no bearing on the polarizer’s performance. The Universal Polarizer Kit may look somewhat impractical, but in use it works out fairly well - with some caveats:

• The case is well designed and keeps everything organized, but it is bulky and it consumes valuable "bag space".
• Attaching the adapter ring to the lens, placing the polarizer on the ring, tightening the lock screw, rotating the polarizer into place, etc. takes a couple minutes.
• Attaching the polarizer in cold weather with gloves would be a challenge for sure. With thin gloves - maybe, but with thick gloves or mittens - no way.

PERFORMANCE

While I like the uniqueness of Leica's Universal Polarizer, its optical performance has been mixed. Polarizers (in general) have a tendency to skew images towards a colder, bluish look. Maintaining warmth can be tricky. Also, some polarizers seem to have a stronger effect than others. Leica's Universal Polarizer is somewhere in the middle. I prefer polarizers like Heliopan's High Transmission series.

With the color Leica M's, like the M9 and M-P Typ 240, the Universal Polarizer did fine. With the Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 that changed. Pairing the Universal Polarizer with red filters created mega amounts of "pop" with cloudy skies - I LOVE that!!!

Leica M10 Monochrom with the Leica Universal Polarizer

Normally I do not take pictures in early to mid afternoon light because the color images look "blah". But the Leica M Monochrom + Red Filter + (sometimes) Polarizer, I love this mid-day light. This set-up has radically expanded my landscape shooting window.

CONCLUSION

There are few options when it comes to polarizers for the Leica M, so if wanting a polarizer, the purchase decision is essentially binary. The Leica Universal Polarizer works well, but its operation can feel tedious at times and certainly slow down the pace. That said, I am grateful to have a polarizer option. However, during the past 3-4 years I have transitioned to using B+W and Heliopan step-up rings with the Heliopan 67mm High Transmission Polarizer.

Leica 28-35-50mm F4 Tri-Elmar M ASPH with a Red Filter + Polarizer

The change to step-up rings was for an array of technical reasons:

• A larger filter diameter to mitigate vignetting when stacking
• Front threads to add a lens hood to mitigate flare and veiling
• A solution to accommodate front filter sizes from E39 to E67
• A stronger polarizer
• Reducing bulk and the number filters I needed to carry

The Leica Universal Polarizer is something each person has to experience first hard to see if it fits their style and needs. Even if that decision is ultimately a "no", the Leica Universal Polarizer is certainly a unique experience. I feel the Leica Universal Polarizer is for the more seasoned Leica M user - someone who comfortable with the rangefinder experience, the cadence and enjoys Leica's craftsmanship.