Must-have filters for Leica lenses: UV, ND, polarizer?

For your situation, I’d keep it super simple. I tried the “filter on everything” thing and honestly… it was more hassle than help.

- **UV/protective:** not a must. Pros: saves your front element from random bumps/salt spray. Cons: extra flare/ghosting risk (esp night lights). If you do it, I’d only trust something like B+W XS-Pro Clear MRC Nano Filter.
- **ND:** actually useful. I get the most use from **3–6 stop** (ND8/ND64) for f/1.4-ish in sun. A B+W 106 ND 1.8 6-Stop MRC Filter is kinda the sweet spot.
- **Polarizer:** worth it mainly for reflections + skies, but on a rangefinder it’s annoying to set (no TTL view). I use one rarely.

If buying first? ND, then clear/protective only if you’re rough on gear. What aperture/shutter are you usually aiming for?

> “UV/protective: not a must… hood + keep one in the bag”

Hmm, I’ve had a different experience: I actually keep a *good* clear/protective on full-time (cheaper than a front element), then add an ND8 for day, skip polarizer on M idk (too fiddly).

Saw this thread earlier and wanted to jump in... honestly, what kind of lighting situations do you usually find yourself in? Whether you actually need an ND or a polarizer really depends on your needs for specific environments. Tbh, a whole phase of testing different brands taught me a lot. The super expensive German glass seemed mandatory for Leica at first, but then some mid-range Japanese filters and even newer budget brands from China entered my kit. While the top-tier stuff is definitely better for flare resistance, those mid-range options are usually fine for daily protection. One time a decent filter saved my front element during a fall, which sold me on the safety aspect, though the really cheap ones definitely kill your contrast. Now it's just about finding that balance between price and coating quality.

Ok so I went through this w/ my M 35 + 50… started with a cheap “protective” filter and immediately got nasty ghosts around streetlights, so I stopped leaving one on full-time. Now I just use a hood + keep a B+W 010 UV-Haze MRC Filter 39mm in the bag for dusty/travel days. For ND, I found B+W 106 ND 1.8 (64x) MRC Filter 39mm is the sweet spot for daytime wide-open. Polarizer’s useful but fiddly on a rangefinder—B+W Käsemann Circular Polarizer MRC Filter 39mm works, just slow to set.

> “Do you guys consider UV/protective filters a must… what ND strength… polarizer worth it?”

Ok so—been there. I smashed a front element once and after that I’m hood-first, filter-optional. For safety on a budget: skip always-on UV, just use the hood + keep a decent clear in the bag like Hoya HD3 Clear Filter 39mm (~$35-50). ND: a simple K&F Concept ND8 (3-Stop) ND Filter 39mm (~$20-30) is the daytime sweet spot. Polarizer? I usually dont bother on M—too fiddly, and you can’t see the effect. cheers