You may have noticed that we carry some adapters (see suggested range below, you may want to go larger or cross over between ranges as needed. Click on orange link to see what we have in stock in that size) and filters that are designated as:
Series IV - 4 (16 -18mm)
Series V - 5(19 - 30 mm)
Series VI- 6 (30.5 - 42 mm)
Series VII- 7 (42.5 - 50.5mm)
Series VIII- 8 (51 - 67mm)
Series IX - 9 (67.5 - 93mm)
Adapters will either
Screw on to your lens threadSlip Over the exterior barrel of your lens and can be crimped down or preferably taped with black electricians tape to light tight snugness. Good for lenses without thread or odd sizes.Or Set Screw Adapter - rare. Like the Slip Over but it doesn't crimp down or tape down, there is a set screw that holds the adapter in place.Series
accessories were developed pre-WWII and used extensively through the 1970s as a way to cut down on the expense of film camera accessories, especially over a range of non standard camera sizes. The idea was that
you could purchase a full set of filters, hoods and other accessories in one series and through the use of adapter rings, adapt them across a
wide range of cameras.
Series filters are generally without thread, and are called drop in filters, they fit the space between the adapter and a retaining ring. Many of our adapters come with a retaining ring but some do not, please check the description. If you absolutely need a retaining ring, ie this is your first and only adapter, contact us. We are short on retaining rings, especially black but may be able to offer you a chrome ring.
Getting Set Up on Series Accessories - A primer on finding your lens diameter
FOR SCREW ON : this would be the same size as the filters and other accessories you normally use. If you don't know. Take a metric ruler and measure the distance across the widest point, of your lens, with a metric ruler, if you don't have one handy, this one is close to scale, 5 = 50mm, the first mark past that is the 60mm mark, so half way between is probably 49mm or 52mm
FOR SLIP OVER : Take a thin strip of paper and wrap it around the exterior barrel of your lens, where the adapter would slip on or over. Mark the length and measure with a metric ruler. You can probably go up 1-3mm and size down with tape so there are more choices if your size is not available or you want it to fit looser or tighter.
Next, take a look at this CHART , it is not true to scale but it gives you an idea of which series you might want to consider, to fit your lens.
Use of Series filters can realize significant savings for you over other systems but it can be a bit of a treasure hunt to come up with the right variety of adapters and filters for your systems. They aren't for everyone.
In addition to Series designation you will also find thread designation
F (fine) 0.5mm
M (medium) 0.75mmB or Bay for Bayonet for Rollei and Hasselblad set ups.
Except for rare and unusual vintage cameras, you should not have any problem fitting pitch to camera. Medium pitch fits most cameras and fine is used mainly in smaller set-ups.
Other : For medium format Cameras as Hasselblad, Mamiya RB/RZ and Rollei SLX/SL66, there are some bayonet mount adapters out in the market . These generally fit either series 8 or series 9 filters.
Series 9 filters and adapters are also popular with movie makers and can be quite expensive and hard to find.
Use of Series filters can realize significant savings for you over other systems but it can be a bit of a treasure hunt to come up with the right variety of adapters and filters for your systems. They aren't for everyone.
Interesting and sometimes frustrating notes:
1. Vintage camera instruction manuals sometimes listed the type and designation of adapter ring for your camera / lens. We carry a number of original pieces of photo literature / manuals http://www.songofsnow.com/Camera-instruction-manuals-s/77.htm and there are several sites that offer reproductions, Butkus being a very good one.
2. Ednalite, Chess, Tiffen, Kodak, HCE are some of the brands that created series rings - HOWEVER, their number designation (ie #653) do not equal the same measurements so it is important to read item description - we strive to provide accurate measurements and are here to work with you to find the right adapter.
3. Historic photographers were quite inventive and often adapted items just to test them out. Hence you will find many fascinating and strange photo accessories and are invited to adapt by using black tape for padding, to find the right fit for your system.
P.S. Corrections and enhancements to our articles are welcome. Submit your revisions to questions@songofsnow.com
