Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/01/30

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Subject: Re: 85-90 M and SM lenses
From: Stephen Gandy <cameras@jetlink.net>
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 1997 16:13:32 -0800

Nicholas Hartmann wrote:
> 
> Stephen Gandy wrote:
> 

> >In Leica screw mount, either of the 85/2 or 105/2.5 are great lenses of
> >their day, although probably not up to current Leitz standards, still
> >great picture takers, though.
> 
> ...
> 
> Thank you for the valuable information, Stephen. Can I assume the "85/2 or
> 105/2.5" you mention are Nikkor lenses in LTM? Joel Tlumak has said in a
> private e-mail that you know a lot about Nikkor optics of this vintage; is
> the 85/2 some sort of adaptation of the Zeiss Sonnar design, or am I
> completely misunderstanding everyone?
> 

Yes, I was referring to Nikkors.  As I understand it, both were
adaptations of the Sonnar design, but lens design is not a strong point
of mine.  I care more about performance and marketprice.

In the late 50's and early 60's, the Nikkors probably had the best
reputation in LTM, better in fact than the Leitz or Canon lenses of the
time.  

The 85/2 was the best selling Nikkor Portrait lens until the 105 was
introduced, then 85/2 sales dried up.  

the 105 can be safely considered on of the best lenses ever made in LTM.

Stephen Gandy