[Leica] Anyone have a line on a Kobalux 21mm?

[Dante Stella]

Paul -

If you see one in person, what appears clear is that the nodal point is more than 21mm from the film plane. I don't think it's very retrofocal, and the rear element does sit very close to the film plane (~12mm). It is indeed the one that Adorma sold, just under a different name (local importers had it rebranded).

Best,
Dante

On Oct 30, 2014, at 1:46 PM, Paul Roark wrote:

> The image and description on https://www.cameraquest.com/koba21.htm suggest
> it may be a lot like the C-Biogon 4.5.  I'd be curious what the in-person
> comparison is.  The cameraquest comment that it is "retrofocus" leaves me
> wondering about their definition.  It's all relative.  Very few optics are
> strictly symmetrical.
> 
> At one time I think it was Adorama also had a little 21mm that looked like
> this basic design and tested well at Modern Photo.
> 
> Alas, with my Sony I thing the quest for small and good ray angle are going
> to force lots of aspherics and larger size than the old compact designs.
> We'll see what Zeiss and Sony can come up with.  For now, the WATE reigns
> supreme for the Sony superwide end.
> 
> Good luck finding one of these.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
> 
> On Tue, Oct 28, 2014 at 7:17 PM, Dante Stella <dstella1 at ameritech.net>
> wrote:
> 
>> Hi -
>> 
>> I have been on the hunt for a 21mm Kobalux (or Avenon Millenium or MC)
>> lens. Color is not important; I am looking for one with 8 aperture blades
>> and the 0.8mm close focus. If I sold you one back in the day when I was
>> importing them, and you're finding it underutilized, I'll make it worth
>> your while to sell it back (those would be black body with chrome fronts
>> mostly - but a couple of silver ones were in there). I'll look at a bare
>> lens up to a set.
>> 
>> This is more sentimental than anything; I can tell you straight up that
>> the Konica 21-35mm and Zeiss 21/4,5 I replaced it with have higher
>> performance (as would befit what they cost - which was double or
>> quadruple). And for all I know, the Kobalux may have color shift issues on
>> an M typ 240. But nostalgia…
>> 
>> So even if you have a lead somewhere, it would be greatly appreciated.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Dante
>> 
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> 
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