Re: [Leica] viso/65elmar

["A.H.SCHMIDT" <horsts@primus.com.au>]

firkin wrote:

> When I first began using Leica, I used to "sniff" around the camera shops,
> and frequently would be told about the 65 elmar. Most added that I would
> never find one (except perhaps the one they had for sale) as they were very
> rare in Melbourne. On several occasions, I passed up on buying one, (it
> seemed too expensive at $700) but using enlarger lenes on my viso/bellows
> was never going to be a long term option, so of course I found a 65. I have
> to admit that I was blown away with the images I obtained with this quirky
> combination: sharp, contrasty, and rich in detail. For the cost, the lens is
> truely amazing. I do not use it as much any more because I've invested a
> "fortune" in the R lenses including the 100 apo macro, which is even more
> amazing, but I do travel with the M and viso combination and the 65 always
> comes along ;_0
>
> Cheers
>
> Alastair

Alastair, the 65mm Elmar is a hard to find lens. Specially in the shops.

I have a couple of the silver ones which I use frequently. No problems at all.

However last year sometimes, I had to copy 2 of the same print images in to one
print.

I used an enlarger stand to mount the the M3, bellows and 65mm Elmar. The prints
where
done in colour on glossy paper. I took the setup in to the garden on a sunny day
and under the shade of a large white market umbrella I did the copying.

The resulting prints where sharp, good in colour, but.... The front silver ring
of the lens
was also visible in the print. It hat reflected from the glossy print. It wasn't
extremely sharp, because of the shallow depth of field, but it was very
annoying.

Before I could make another set of prints, I had to go to a specialist shop and
had a ring with a 41mm thread made with a 6mm flange rectangular to the thread.
Then it had to  be black anodized.
This cost me about $100 all together. But now I can screw this adapter in to the
front of the lens and in addition to this, I cut a square piece of stiff
cardboard, painted it flat black and cut a 41mm hole in to the center. This now
fits in between the front flange of the adapter and the front of the lens. It
covers the whole length and with of the camera and shields it from reflections..
I suppose, I could have had it much cheaper and painted the front of the lens
black, but it somehow didn't feel right.

Regards, Horst Schmidt.