Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/10/13
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At 8:16 AM -0400 10/13/01, Sal DiMarco,Jr. wrote:
> Marc wrote "But Leitz/Leica have NEVER even had the slightest idea
>of attempting to match the two Mirotars. These magnificent optics are
>unparalleled --"
>
>Marc,
> 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.
>Happy Snaps,
>Sal DiMarco, Jr.
>Philadelphia, PA
I've never used nor touched a 1000 Mirotar, but I have shot with a
500/4.5 on a Contarex. For a 500, it was _BIG_, and while it was the
best 500 mirror lens I've shot with, that doesn't mean a lot. It
certainly didn't come close to Nikon's 500/4 ED. In the 60's, it was
probably a passable solution, but its time has passed.
- --
* Henning J. Wulff
/|\ Wulff Photography & Design
/###\ mailto:henningw@archiphoto.com
|[ ]| http://www.archiphoto.com
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