Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/10/07

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Subject: Re:[Leica] Some depth: New LTM Hexanon 35mm f/2 UC-Hexanon in LTM
From: TTAbrahams@aol.com
Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2001 01:42:39 EDT

Dante, thanks for the information on the 35/2 Hexanon 3rd generation. I did 
indeed have the first version, the infamous 35/2L lens. This was a direct 
"transfer" from the Hexar camera and it somehow lost a lot in the 
translation. The Hexar was (is) a great little camera, except for the limited 
top-speed of 1/250 and a tendency to lock up at inopportune moments. The 
35/2L in the screw-mount was inferior to the Hexar lens in most every way. I 
ordered one in Tokyo when I heard about it and took delivery the next trip to 
Japan. Shooting for a day or two I realised that it was at most mediocre, but 
it had already become highly collectible and doubled in value! I promptly 
traded it for some essential Leica stuff (I think it was another M2 or 
something) and hoped that Konica would do the right thing! Last year at 
Photokina I saw the 3rd generation of the lens and tried to borrow it for a 
test shoot, but Konica had a bunch of reasons why they would not let me try 
it "We can't find the keys to the cabinet it is in." It is the only one we 
have and we need it for showing to dealers" and "Hey, you did not like the 
first one and maybe you will not like this one either!"
 I have heard from some friends in Japan that have tried the latest version 
and they all seems to like it. The aperture ring seems to be a weak spot on 
the Konica LTM lenses, both my 50/2,4 collapsible and my 60/1,2 had the same 
"metallic" feel that you indicate. Very much reminiscent of the Canon 35/2. 
It is not a big deal, but it makes the lens feel a bit "cheap" in my opinion. 
Probably not to difficult to correct with a different lube. It is an 
interesting alternative to a 35/2 Summicron, particularly with the ability to 
use it on a LTM body and it is considerably lighter than a 35/2 Asph chrome 
in LTM mount 
(and very much cheaper than an original 8 element screw-mount Summicron 
35/2). It is a tempting lens and if I find one next time in Japan, I might 
still get it, although I do have a large amount of 35/2's in various 
configuration. Admittedly I seem to use either the early Summicron 35/2 ( a 
1959 black paint one) or a 1982 3rd generation 35/2 Summicron for most of my 
shooting. I do have the 35/2 Canon and it is a neat little lens and a very 
good performer, deadly sharp from 2,8 on, but it does have that "raspy" 
aperture ring. It is cheaper than most of these screw-mount 35/2's and you 
can still pick them up for about $350-400 in Mint- condition. I have had 
several of the Nikon 35/1,8's in both Nikon RF mount and also in LTM mount. 
It is a very sharp lens, but extremely prone to flare and the performance at 
1,8 is not that good, even the old style 35/1,4 Summilux beats it hands down. 
 I am still waiting for my stem cell transplant. It looks likely that I will 
be going in for it on Wednesday. It will be  3-4 weeks of medical "fun and 
games".  I am just shooting tests with a variety of bodies and lenses (and 
films) to decide what to document this whole process with. A great excuse for 
shooting 5-6 rolls a/day - all in the name of testing of course. It is right 
now down to either a M2 with a 35/2 ( the aforementioned 35/2 from 1959) and 
the Elmar(it) 50/2,8 collapsible ( current version) or a M2 with the 2nd 
generation 35/1,4 and a 50/1,5 Nokton. Of course I could use my Replica 
Null-series too, but remembering uncapping and capping the shutter all the 
time and also the fact that you can only set the shutterspeeds with the 
shutter ½ cocked while on chemo could be a problem! Neat camera and a very 
good lens (probably the same type of optics as the 50/2,8 Elmar (it). First 
roll I lost 7 frames, 2nd roll I lost 5 frames and now I seem to average 
loosing 3-4 frames per roll. Film will of course be Tri-X although I have 
been shooting some HP5+, APX 400 and Neopan 400, just to show that I have an 
open mind about the whole thing. But when the time comes to make my mind, it 
is into the Tri-X box and D76 1:1/10 minutes. I always suspected that M2's 
and 35/2's were made for that film.
Thanks again Dante for the write up on the Hexanon 35/2 and once I am back to 
Mint- minus status (hell, I would settle for Exc+ at the moment) I might try 
one out. Nothing like the prospect of a new lens to speed up recovery too!
All the best,
Tom A

Tom Abrahamsson
Vancouver, BC
Canada
www.rapidwinder.com
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