Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/08/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I just took delivery of a new 20mm Russar f/5.6 lens from SRS in England - 12 days from fax order (credit card) to registered delivery here in San Diego, California. I have yet to use it but here are some preliminary observations: - All black finish with white numerals - vey small, with approx. 3/4" protrusion into the camera body - Leica screw mount, non-coupled (I'll use it on an M body with a bayonet adapter) - smooth focus mount with well serrated area for gripping - aperture ring non-click stopped, within the filter mount so a filter will preclude aperture adjustment - no click stops. f/5.6-f/22, with DOF scale marked to f/16 -smooth focus mount, no infinity lock, marked in metres down to 0.5m. - severely curved front and rear elements, with the front well recessed, the rear very exposed - deep rear lens cap, heavy bakelite, seems essential to prevent damage to rear element - push-on front lens cap, somewhat loose, metal - separate 2 cm viewfinder in heavy metal mount, showing marked aberrations at edges. Glasses require you 'scan' to see the whole frame; decent if not spectacular, black paint (?) finish. Incredibly, it's on a swivelling/tilting mount to permit parallax correction, marked infinit, 1m, 0.5m. Nicely machined swivel/tilt. - no boxes or instructions, but it does look brand new. (Vendor alerted me to this before sale). Cost was UK pounds sterling 279.00 including 10.00 for shipping registered, insured. That's about $435. Overall fit and finish is superior to the glossy chrome 135mm f/4 Jupiter I owned many years ago, which coupled imperfectly to the M3 rangefinder, but was sharp (Zeiss Sonnar clone?) You can fax SRS at 011 44 1923 254543, telephone 226602 or 220558. (US dial codes). Best regards, Thomas