14/02/2026 10:05 pm
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Hey everyone! I finally joined the Leica family with an M10 and a 35mm Summicron, and I’m absolutely loving the experience so far. However, given the price of these lenses, I’m feeling a bit protective and wondering what the 'must-have' filter setup looks like for an M-mount system.
I’m torn on whether to keep a high-quality UV or protector filter on the lens at all times. Do you find they impact the rendering of the glass, or is the peace of mind worth it? Another issue I’ve run into is shooting wide open in bright daylight. Since the M10 caps out at a 1/4000s shutter speed, I’m frequently blowing out highlights at f/2. Would a 3-stop ND filter be the standard solution here, or is there a better way to handle that?
I’m also curious about polarizers. Since we aren't looking through the lens on a rangefinder, aligning a CPL seems like a total guessing game. Is it worth getting the specialized 'swing-out' filters, or do most M shooters just skip polarizers entirely? I want to keep my kit minimal for street photography but don't want to miss out on essential tools. For those of you with seasoned M-mount kits, which 2 or 3 filters do you actually consider essential for your daily shooting?
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14/02/2026 10:30 pm
> Since the M10 caps out at a 1/4000s shutter speed, I’m frequently blowing out highlights at f/2. sooo similar situation here when i first got my M10! I was so stressed about that shutter speed limit because i wanted that creamy f/2 look even at noon. I went through a whole phase of testing different glass to see what actually works without ruining the leica magic... honestly, that 1/4000s limit is lowkey the biggest hurdle for shooting wide open. Option A: B+W 39mm XS-Pro Digital MRC Nano 803 ND 0.9 Filter
Pros: 3 stops is usually the sweet spot for f/2 in sun, super slim, and no color cast i could see. Cons: sometimes i still hit that 1/4000s wall if it's REALLY bright out like at the beach. Option B: Hoya 39mm PROND 64 Filter
Pros: 6 stops lets me shoot wide open in basically any light, great for some motion blur too.
Cons: it's kinda dark, so if i move into shadows i'm constantly unscrewing it lol. Option C: B+W 39mm Master Clear MRC Nano 007 Filter vs Hoya 39mm Fusion Antistatic Next Protector
Pros: Both are great for peace of mind. The B+W felt more 'leica' quality to me personally, but the Hoya is actually easier to clean.
Cons: Spending extra money on a "clear" glass feels weird at first. Anyway, I settled on the 3-stop B+W for most things. Regarding polarizers, i tried the Kenko 39mm Smart Slim Circular PL and it was a total guessing game... i had to hold it up to my eye, rotate it, look at the markings, then screw it on the lens in the same orientation. It was way too slow for street stuff so i basically stopped using them entirely. Idk maybe some people have the patience for it but i just want to shoot. I'm super satisfied with just keeping an ND in my pocket and the clear filter on the lens 24/7. 👍
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14/02/2026 10:06 pm
oh man, congrats on the M10! i totally get the anxiety about those lenses... they're basically tiny treasures. Honestly, I had issues with my highlights too because that 1/4000s limit is highkey annoying in broad daylight when you wanna shoot wide open. Here's what I've found works (or doesnt) after trying a few setups: * **UV Filter vs. Naked**: I used the B+W 39mm MRC Nano 010 UV Protection Filter for a year. It's great for peace of mind, but unfortunately, I saw some ghosting during night shoots. Now I mostly just use the lens hood for protection and skip the extra glass unless it's really dusty.
* **Fixed ND vs. Variable**: This is a MUST. I recommend a fixed Leica 39mm ND 0.9 Filter over a variable one. Variable NDs like the B+W 39mm XS-Pro Digital ND Vario are okay, but they're way too thick and block the viewfinder too much.
* **Polarizers**: Honestly, most M shooters skip 'em. The Leica Universal Polarizer M is the "pro" way to do it, but it’s just so bulky for street photography. Basically, just grab a solid 3-stop fixed ND and you're set. gl!
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14/02/2026 11:10 pm
Quick question—are you shooting color or B&W mostly? Before I give more advice, I gotta know cuz it affects filter choice. Unfortunately, I’ve been pretty disappointed with expensive glass... they flare more than expected. For basic protection, maybe try the Tiffen 39mm Digital HT Ultra Clear. For that annoying shutter limit, a Gobe 39mm ND8 3-Peak is a solid budget fix. Polarizers are kinda a nightmare on rangefinders tbh!
