Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/05/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I certainly wouldn't swear to it but wouldn't be susprised if these are the very same lenses that Tom Abrahamsson reported about in the fourth quarter 1995 issue of LHSA's _Rangefinder_ magazine. Think it relatively unlikely that anyone else in the world has tooled up to produce a set of lenses the same as those he has discussed in the article. His comments were positive. That's not to say these are Leica lenses or as good as them, either. I suggest reading the article and asking Adorama if these are indeed the same items. If so, make up your own mind. Curt >There will likely to be a number of responses to this one. The original >request was opinions on whether or not buying a lens of unknown origin >from Adorama and use it on a Leica was a good idea. > >My feeling here is, as almost always, you get what you pay for. I buy >film and tapes from Adorama and have found them to be satisfactory for >that purpose. I would NEVER buy a lens without knowing what it was. And >there is only one reason for not saying what it is. > >If you cannot or do not want to shop around for a used Leica lens or at >least something of known and respected origin, then at a mimimum ask >Adorama to give you full particulars on the lenses you want. Insist on >full disclosure.... name, country of origin, age, finish, number of >elements, who precisely made it, who made the adapter, etc. > >A 21mm lens is very difficult to make for a 35mm camera. In comparison, >a telephoto is very easy to make. You are only using a very small piece >of the image produced by such a lens. But with a super wide angle, to >get the edges even close to sharp is a major lens design achievement >that must be matched by superb craftmanship in manufacturing. > >Your request is a case where I would say, Beware. > >Fred Ward > >*** Visit my Gem Book Publishers site >*** http://www.erols.com/fward/ >*** >*** fward@erols.com > > Elizabeth Mei Wong Curt Miller cmiller@berkshire.net Pittsfield, Massachusetts (Western Massachusetts, Berkshire)