Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/10/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Pablo, the first paragraph indicated that the shutters in the newer leica's used more ball bearings in the shutters so less drag, more reliability, less shutter bounce, generally a better unit. Also, supposedly, the shutters in the "red dial" are improved over the "black dial" on the IIIf models. Generally, LTM lenses are cheaper than M lenses as many people have migrated to the M and don't realize that their old lenses will work just fine with an adapter. The older lenses are also less expensive as the glasses used as well as the coatings of the early 50's lenses were very soft and prone to scratching. Depending on the severity and/or how much you shoot into the light the scratches and other flaws of old age may not matter. Also, if you find one cheap enough then you can afford to have a lens cleaned, polished, and re-coated which is $100-$200 in the US, probably less expensive elsewhere. The Jupiter lenses can be the old Zeiss designs from the thirties with modern coatings up to multi-coating on the very last production. Production tolerances were very large so I've found buying in person to be the best recourse. Price wise the Soviet lenses can be steals, I've seen the 50mm F1.5 Sonnar in Soviet clothing in the $50 range; although I paid around $100 for mine in very clean condition. Optically, it is a very satisfactory lens especially with older 400 speed films like Tri-X or HP-5. When I go to the newer, slower films I miss the extra detail that the newer Leica glass delivers. Now that the archives are running again there has been much comment about the Russian lenses. Also, you might purchase a book on LTM lenses available from a certain prominent member of this list; also in the archives. :) I find the collapsible Summicrons to be a great choice for the III series cameras: if you find it hard to remember to pull the lens out then the Jupiter 3(50mm F1.5) is almost as small and may be less flare prone. Don Dory dorysrus@mindspring.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html