Leica

Leica 13374 55E Ultra Violet Silver Filter

Preserve every tonal nuance on your Leica M lens with a silver-finish UVa filter that cuts haze without adding a color cast.

$49.00*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Leica 13374 is a 55E UVa filter in silver chrome — a deceptively simple accessory that serves a precise purpose for Leica M lens users. UVa filters absorb ultraviolet radiation in the 300–400nm range, the invisible wavelengths that cause color film to record a bluish cast in open-sky and high-altitude scenes and that can slightly reduce digital image micro-contrast in hazy conditions. In the digital era, the UV-protection benefit is secondary to the filter's primary practical role: protecting the front element of expensive Leica M glass from dust, moisture, and the inevitable accidental contact that comes with shooting in the field.

The silver chrome finish is a considered choice for Leica M photographers shooting with classic silver-body cameras — the visual coherence of a matched kit matters in a system where aesthetic intentionality is part of the ownership experience. Build quality follows Leica's standard for accessories: precise threading and durable metalwork. For street photographers, travel documentarians, or anyone who carries their M kit in environments where lens exposure is unavoidable, the 13374 provides a low-friction layer of insurance. The filter mounts and removes cleanly, and its optical neutrality means there's no reason to take it off unless you're stacking another filter for a specific creative purpose.

Key Features

Silver chrome finish

Specifications

Filter Type
Ultra Violet (UV) Filter
Size
55E
Finish
Silver Chrome

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • The UVa coating absorbs ultraviolet light that causes bluish haze in outdoor scenes, producing cleaner, more neutral tones particularly in open shade and high-altitude environments.
  • Leica's optical standards ensure the filter glass is minimally intrusive — protecting the front element of expensive M glass without degrading the sharpness or micro-contrast you paid for.
  • The silver chrome finish allows seamless visual integration with silver-body Leica M cameras, maintaining the aesthetic coherence of a matched kit.
  • Permanent mounting as a lens protector makes front element swaps and field cleaning much less stressful during travel and documentary shooting.
  • The 55E thread is a standard Leica M sizing, meaning the filter integrates directly without adapters or step rings on compatible lenses.

👎 Cons

  • The single-layer silver chrome finish specification provides minimal context on the filter's anti-reflection coating quality — multi-coating details are not specified, which matters in backlit shooting situations.
  • The 55E sizing limits this filter's compatibility to the specific Leica M lenses that share this front thread diameter — it cannot be used across lenses with different filter sizes without step rings.
  • At Leica's premium price point, this filter costs significantly more than third-party UVa options with comparable optical neutrality for photographers on a budget.
  • The filter does not include a protective case, which is an oversight given the price tier and the delicate silver chrome finish.
  • UVa filtration provides no benefit in artificial light or indoor studio environments, making this a single-use-case accessory for outdoor and travel photographers.

Frequently Asked Questions

A properly made UVa filter has negligible optical impact — no measurable exposure change and no color shift. The Leica 13374 is designed to be optically neutral, absorbing UV wavelengths below the visible spectrum while passing all visible light cleanly through.
The 13374 is a 55E filter, designed for Leica M lenses with a 55mm front thread. Always verify your specific M lens's filter thread diameter before purchasing — Leica M lenses vary in front element size and not all share the 55E thread.
Many Leica M shooters do leave UVa filters permanently mounted for front element protection — the optical neutrality of a quality UVa filter means image quality impact is essentially zero. The main trade-off to monitor is additional glass surfaces, which can increase flare risk in strongly backlit scenes.
The silver chrome finish is primarily aesthetic, designed to match the classic silver-body Leica M cameras and lenses. It provides a durable, corrosion-resistant surface, but the finish choice does not affect the filter's UV absorption or optical performance.
Technically yes, as the 13374 has a standard 55E thread that accepts compatible filters on top. However, stacking filters increases the risk of vignetting, particularly at wider apertures, and each additional glass element introduces minor reflection risk. For most workflows, stacking is not recommended.