Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/10/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 08:16 AM 10/13/01 -0400, Sal DiMarco,Jr. wrote: > Are you refering to the Zeiss Mirror lenses? the 500mm f/4.5 and the >1000mm f/5.6? > Well, from my personal experience with the 1000mm, I can say the lens is >"unparalleled." The Time-Life Labs' equipment room has one. It weighs about >fifty pounds, the case is another fifty and a tripod strong enough to hold >it steady weighs another fifty pounds. The lens T-stops at about f/8 and in >anything less than bright sunlight is a bear to focus. When you were sharp, >the lens was sharp but the performance was no barn burner. > Not to mention the $10,000.-- price tag, twenty years ago!! > When every the lens come out for a group outing, we all hold our breath >while we draw straws to pick the "luck" soul who has to shoot with it. > Sorry, Marc on this one, I disagree. Sal The Mirotars are NOT convenient lenses to use -- but, optically, they remain without rival, which is what I was intending to say. When you absolutely, positively MUST have the very best, the Mirotar is the only game in town. (And that is why around 2/3 of the Mirotars produced have been marketed for scientific or industrial applications.) The current price for the 1000mm Mirotar is around $US 75,000 -- these lenses have always been hand-built and, generally, only to special order. I doubt if Zeiss sells more than one every two or three years. The East German Carl Zeiss Jena versions are almost as good, and can often be found on e-Bay for around $5,000 or less, so most users seem to try to find one of these puppies first! Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bąs fir gun ghrąs fir! - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html