Check out these Series images:

Dark series #07 - the jail




Image by Xavier Fargas

Explore, 2008 Oct 23, #457
Aquí se ve mejor / View On Black

DARK SERIES - SLIDESHOW
DARK SERIES - ALBUM

···························································
View my latest images in darkR
···························································


Series VI




Image by Voxphoto

Forgive the geeky intrusion... but a few times lately I've wanted to explain to people how cool the "Series" filter system was, and finally decided a visual aid would help.

Using filters with my Olympus SLR system was always really easy, since all my lenses used the same 49mm size. Things got more complicated as I started acquiring more and more weird old cameras & lenses, no two of which had the same diameter filter thread.

In the 1940s and 50s, there was a hugely popular system of modular lens accessories called Series V, VI, VII, and so on. They allowed you to use one set of filters (in whichever diameter was large enough), which drop into different adapters matching all your different lenses.

The Series adapters were made as threaded, push-on, or bayonet attachments. The filter itself was held inside the adapter with a standard threaded retaining ring--or, optionally, a lens shade with the same threading. A few lenses (e.g. Argus and Canon rangefinder) had standard Series threading as their native filter thread.

Recently my pal Mark ended up having his garage turn into the Aladdin's Cave of Series filters, after helping dispose of some photographic estates. Thanks to his generosity, I've now unearthed Series VI adapters matching virtually all my odd lenses (even a push-on one fitting the Diana!)--plus a nice assortment of filters, hoods, and close-up lenses....

This system isn't so practical for polarizers (because you can't grab the filter to rotate it); and it seems it fell out of favor in the era when SLRs rose to dominance. But if you ever have a chance to root around in the accessories bin at some swap meet or old-school camera store, the Series system is still pretty cool.