Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Marc, That is a very generous and informative discussion of the Steinheil. From my experience with the lens so far and a look and touch of the quality of the lens, I would say that this lens is one of the best values in a Leica lens, bar none. The photos I get back will tell the whole story. Thanks again, Steve At 10:27 AM 2/2/98 -0500, you wrote: >At 11:26 PM 2/1/98 -0500, Steve Hickel wrote: >>Marc, >> >>What do you know about Steiheils and who bought them and why them vice a >>Leica lens and why so inexpensive for such a well built lens? >> >>Also, I tried screwing my e39 hood from my 50mm Elmar collapsible (new) and >>it is the right size but doesn't screw into the threads or what may seem to >>be threads right next to the front element. This slip on hood, what model, >>make, and manufacturer might that be? > > >There were a gazillion firms selling aftermarket LTM lenses in the '50's. >Steinheil was a respected and ancient German optical firm -- they had >sufficient clout to hire the great Ludwig Bertele away from Zeiss, for >instance, in 1940. In general, aftermarket LTM lenses were either less >expensive than Leitz's offerings or provided focal lengths and apertures >not available from Wetzlar. At the time the Culminar was marketed, for >instance, Leitz only offered the 4/90 Elmar and the excruciatingly >expensive 1.5/85 Summarex ($360 in 1954, four times the price of the Elmar) >and 2/90 Summicron ($249 in 1960, three times the price of the Elmar). The >Culminar sold, I believe, for around $80 at these times. A few lenses were >available from Carl Zeiss Jena, JSK, and Voigtlander, but these were even >more expensive, in general, than Leitz glass, so the lesser firms, German >and Japanese, entered the fray and did quite well. > >For a lens hood, take your lens to the next camera show in your area and go >table to table. Or contact Harrison & Harrison in California -- they will >sell you a slip-on Series adapter and hood. > >Marc > > >msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 >Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir! > > >