Re: 85-90 M and SM lenses

[Stephen Gandy <cameras@jetlink.net>]

Marc James Small wrote:
> 
> At 05:03 PM 1/29/97 -0800, Stephen Gandy wrote:
> 
> >And before Marc can mention it, the Russian lenses CAN be sharp, but it
> >is a real problem in my experience to find one which works well both
> >optically and mechanically.  Would you believe lenses which don't even
> >screw on the camera bodies properly?
> >
> >I didn't, but I have found quite a few such Russian beauties.
> 
> Hmm.  I've owned more than 35 LTM Russian lenses and never had a one which
> didn't mount perfectly.  I've even had some Ukrainian lenses, and, again,
> all mounted without a quibble.  I've seen hundreds more at camera shows, and
> every one I've tried has mounted.  Not denying your experience, Stephen, but
> it certainly isn't mine.  You might want to post the factory and years of
> production, by the way, so we can spread the news of which to avoid.
> 

I would be happy to Marc, but I returned them all to the importer, I did
not take note of serial #'s etc.  They included, however, the 85/2,
35/2.8, and the 20/5.6.


> There are a slew of wonderful European lenses.  Stephen, have you ever shot
> with some of the Italian lenses?  Or the Zeiss LTM lenses?  Or Wray?  Or
> Ross?  Or Kilfitt?  Or Novoflex?  What about SOM Berthiot?  Voigtlander?
> The list runs to several hundred.

You make a good point about hundreds of lenses, but the problem is
availability.  If they are rare, it is difficult to find them,  much
less shoot with them.  

I have had Zeiss LTM lenses, but all I have had or seen are uncoated
prewar examples.  I don't they would begin to compare with the later
Nikons or Canons.   The exception is the Kilfitt, which are generally
excellent, but all that I have seen were made for the Viso.  The
Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton is supposedly great, but I have never actually
seen one and turned down my only chance to own one at a mere $2,500 from
a collector who know what he had.

> By the way:  Canon fouled up the proper dimensions of the Leica
> thread-mount.  A bunch, though not all, Canon LTM lenses will NOT mount
> properly on a Leica.  (See Dechert's CANON RANGEFINDER CAMERAS)  Nikon did
> the same, but not as egregiously, and most Nikon lenses WILL mount, though a
> little force is required.
> 

true enough on the Canons, but the ones which I recommended were the
later lenses which fit just fine.

Someone emailed me about my "war" with Marc, which certainly isn't
true.  We just like to exchange ideas and different viewpoints.  A lot
of the equipment we discuss is pretty obscure today, and its nice to
bounce ideas off of each other.

Stephen