Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/02/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]John Brownlow wrote: > > Anyone care to comment on the optical properties of this lens? > > http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=252043702 > I've got an M version (S/N 139XXXX), (of course you've seen the web photos John!). It's a very nice lens with a distinctive look. It has low contrast (and micro-contrast) but fairly high resolution (even open). I sometimes see details down to the pixel level of the scanner (50 lpm?). The overall look, though, is soft. The midrange grays (sorry I only shoot B&W at the moment) seem to be very spread out giving a creamy tonality, deep shadows seem to block (as do highlights). At short distances (1m - the minimum focusing) it seems to soften more, but sharpens up beyond 2m. Seems to have a lot of what I think is called coma, but this adds to its charming look. The bokeh is very nice (but that's a matter of opinion!) it's fairly structured (ni-sen) and gives a impressionistic finger-painted look. A 15 bladed aperture also keeps the bokeh nice. It has a lot of flair and ghosting (Leica glow?) which may be ameliorated by the hard-to-find and expensive lens hood. It's quite a heavy lens but with a solid smooth feel. I notice the ebay one has got the lens cap (didn't get one with mine), I found a 41mm from an Olympus C2000 digicam fits it perfectly! Giving how cheap this lens is (I paid USD 300 in a shop) I would certainly go for it. I've read that Leitz lenses from the 1950s have a problem with fogging (my one looked very clean) and the lens coating is soft so scratches may be a problem. You certainly want a return option (or factor in the price of cleaning) if you can't look at it first. - -- Stephen Holloway http://www.deepturtle.com/steve/photos