Re: 50mm screw lenses

[Nick Jackson <jacks@pc.jaring.my>]

joe b. wrote:
> 
> Hi.
> 
> Was it you that emailed me a while back asking about 50mm lenses to use
> on a screw Leica body? I recall it was you but oddly you are not
> currently listed in my mail program's address book, which you should be
> if it was you I replied to! Still, software can do strange things, and I
> just have this feeling it was you. Assuming that to be the case, how did
> you get on, did you get any of those lenses and how are they in use?
> 
> (And if it wasn't you, apologies!)
> --
> joe b.
 

Joe

thanks for the message - yes it was me.  We also discussed the relative merits of the Russar 
20mm when you recommended the article in Photon.

I had a brief trip to London in June and had some fun wandering around the various camera 
shops around Holborn.  There now seeem to be a huge number selling collectible cameras at 
extortionate prices - but that may have been due to the Christies sale which was on at the same 
time.

After some hunting I ended up buying a 50mm summitar, together with a IIIf rd body.  Both were in 
very good condition, very clean and no marks or dings etc.  So far it looks very good, much crisper 
than my old elmar, and having two more stops is a great help.  Spent this afternoon developing a 
whole batch of films that my wife and I shot over the last month and the negs have a very nice 
contrast range.   The shop I bought it in was run by a little old guy selling books as well as a few 
cameras.  All his bodies get checked and overhauled by an ex leica technician.  He was very 
helpful, as were his other customers.  I spent two hours in the shop discussing the relative merits 
of summitars and summicrons, which was a very nice way to end up buying a lens.

As far as the Russar goes you may have seen my recent posting to the list - I just love it!
The angle of view is fantastic, and the images from the lens so far have been great.  The 
viewfinder is a bit crude, but the lens looks great on the body.  Once you get used to the 
extraordinary depth of field you don't bother focusing and just worry about composing the shot.

Thanks for the help - I seem to recall you had just bought a 20mm as well -  how are you finding it?

regards 

Nick 

Kuala Lumpur  Malaysia