Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/03/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> I've just got some slides back taken with two old Leitz lenses, one made > in 1956, the other in 1933. Both are still working perfectly. It's a > strange feeling using a lens that is 14 years older than I am. Mind you, > it looks its age. I'd like to think I don't ;->. > I'm sure(?) there are still lots of people out there still using the screw Leicas from around the war which are a testimony to Leica's longevity. I now carry a 1941 IIIc almost everywhere I go because it is so compact and takes beautiful pictures on a 50mm Elmar lens (1946 I think, haven't checked recently). It replaced an OM1 which I still have and enjoy, but the ability to slip the Leica into my pocket means it gets to places by chance that the OM1 never would see. Generally I am taking B&W so the shortcomings of the uncoated Elmar are less apparent, but it still takes a remarkably sharp and bright transparency for a 50 year old lens. My only concession to its age is a new Gossenl lightmeter I bought recently to replace an aged and somewhat inaccurate Weston. I read all the discussion of M6's etc with great fascination and curiosity. The wallet says no but the heart is surely tempted - ultimately I am curious to know how close a screw camera with a late screw Summicron would be to current M6 performance in terms of final image quality. If anyone was able to offer opinions it would be interesting to know how far Leitz/Leica has come in 70 years and how far off the mark it was at the outset? Nick Jackson Kuala Lumpur