RE: [Leica] Bessa R - 35/2.5 "pancake" lens

[TTAbrahams@aol.com]

 I can probably shed some light on the 35/2,5 "pancake" lens and the 
'regular" 35 from Cosina. Last September I had the pleasure of spending 7 
hours with Mr Kobayashi, President of Cosina Japan. The discussion ranged far 
and wide on existing products and on new products. The "pancake" subject was 
discussed thoroughly at the meeting. The reason that they are producing the 
lens in two different versions is simply that Mr Kobayashi wanted to make a 
"pancake" lens! He has a remarkably free rein at Cosina and if he wants to 
try something out, he does. So far he has been doing very well with his 
"feel" for the market. I was very impressed with his enthusiasm and knowledge 
and I was particularly pleased to find a man who is obviously having a great 
time in his job! Of course, as a confirmed gadget enthusiast my self, I could 
only envy his position. Imagine being able to tell a designer that "Could you 
make me a lens with these specifications?" or "Hmm, it would be nice to have 
a rangefinder camera, using 39mm screwmount, that had a decent flash synch 
speed and a built in meter" and have somebody build it!  If you look at the 
lens-line being offered by Cosina/Voigtlander today, the 15/4,5, 25/4 
Snapshot Skopar. The 35's, the 50/1,5 and the 75/2,5, the VC-Meter, the 
finders etc, it is plainly obvious that this is not a decision made by a 
corporate "think tank" or a "focus group". Can you imagine asking a focus 
group "What do you think of a 25mm lens, made for an old-fashioned lens mount 
and that does not couple to the rangefinder of any camera and it will require 
an auxiliary finder to boot"! Mr Kobayashi simply liked the old snapshot 
Elmar from the early 30's and thought it could be a fun lens to make. 
Particularly as the original is as scarce as the proverbial hen's teeth and 
if found costs multi thousands of dollars. His version is cheap, very good 
performer and great fun to use. The Heliar 15/4,5 was another idea, the only 
alternative is a $ 3000 converted Contax lens or a $ 10 000 collectible 
Hologon! I don't know about you guys, but I rather have the $ 400 Heliar and 
not worry about using it, than an overvalued collectible that was not that 
convenient to use anyway (I did have a couple of these 15/8 Hologons and they 
were good performers, but not that good that they are worth $10 000 or even 
$3000 today. They used to be around $600 and even that was pricey in the 
early 70's). I am a great fan of Mr Kobayashi and Cosina as it allows me a 
choice of lenses and cameras to supplement my Leicas, not replace them, just 
supplement. There is more coming from Mr Kobayashi/Cosina and from several 
other Japanese manufacturers in the future, but I am not allowed to tell 
(Sorry Marc!).
Tom A