Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/01/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>What's a decent price for these lenses? And do they focus reasonably close? >(I've had to use my OM1 for tight portraits, as I can't get in close enough >with the Voigt 75.) Douglas: I'd say average values are currently anywhere from $550-800. The chrome ones are on the cheaper end of the spectrum and the black ones seem to fetch toward the higher end. I'm told the version I have - a 1966 black Canadian with the preset ring - is rarer and worth maybe $150 more than these more common non-preset ones, but the price is still firmly in the user category.. This is my standard "close focus" lens as it covers the smallest area of any of my Leica lenses at minimum distance. I don't know if there are any variations in the helical assembly among the different lenses, but mine focuses to just under 1m, or if you prefer, about 3'1". Strangely enough, if you photograph something as close as possible, then blow the negative up to 8x10 you end up with a print image that's almost exactly life size. Of course, if you really want to go close you just unscrew the head and attach it to a bellows and viso, but I haven't tried this myself. Be careful with f2 at this close range. Depth of field is *very* shallow, and the falloff sudden and dramatic. If you aren't careful I have found you can get a wierd "person slice" effect. F4-f5.6 seems to have just the perfect gentle falloff towards the ears keeping the attention on the eyes. I'm not especially a bokeh-ist, but the comments about this lens are justified, imho. Another thing worth mentioning is that with the very deep lens hood, this lens is surprisingly flare resistant. I have had this lens for 14 years now, and I can't think of many pictures ruined by flare. It looks like it's single coated. Does anyone know if that's the case? Whatever it is, it works. Simon Stevens