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Originally Posted by flavio
if I understand correctly: I may find a Leicameter 1955, called M, selenium cell with serial numer around 040570.
A fast google search did not give me good result. I'll try again, of course, but maybe you know some photo shop where I can find a working and nice look M? Or maybe advise some dealers (if in Europe would be great)?
I've seen what appear to be a good shape M3 in Leicashop, an Austrian photo dealer. Maybe some of you did previous business there?
I'm sorry to ask you one more: a 28/21 wideangle again born in 1955 would be appreciate. I suppose there may be a year list of lens. Am I correct?
Sorry to bother you this way and hope I may help you in the future.
Flavio
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Flavio (are You Italian ?..well, go on in english, anyway),
Leicashop of Wien is a dealer you really can trust in: I bought several hardware from them: very precise in defining the quality, fast in delivery, and also available for exchanges in particular instances (One day, years ago, I found there a super rare 180 2,8 for Visoflex...costly...and we arranged a partial exchange for a IIIg body of my own...)
The tables with lens numbering realted to year of production are easily available on many sources, example in Rogliatti and Laney books: 1955 lenses are surely in the range 1.2xx.xxx - 1.3xx.xxx : the books above are precise and concordant (I have copy at home, but not here).
I have a 21 f4 BM/TM of 1959: it is estetically very very nice, but performances not excellent : also at 8-11 fallen light at borders is significant; on the contrary, I use with satisfaction my 28 f5,6 of 1958: of course, is 5,6 a no more, but stopping to 8-16 lighting is even, contrast good, sharpness less than excellent, but many times this do not disturb me a lot (I have also a modern 28 2,8 : sharpness completely different).
Both 28 5,6 and 21 4 are not common (neither cheap) in the market, but also not so rare: wait, and something shall appear somewhere (besides Leicashop, Rahn of Germany is another good source in Europe). If you plan to use such lenses, you have to put yourself in a specific mood, that in my opinion is this:
- using classic Leicas and lenses is a pleasure by itself
- print results until 24x30 are ALWAYS satisfactory
- is stupid to put side to side a 28 5,6 from 50's with, say, a good Nikkor 28 from 21 century : like to use old Leitz hardware ? : use it, period
- search for lens quality by itself ?: Leica new lenses are available...just pay if you like
BTW...leicashop presently seems to have 21 f4 (1959) available, together with old 28 6,3 Hektors (I have it also, results not so different from 28 5,6 in practice, little less contrast); Rahn has some 28 5,6, 21 3,4 (EXCELLENT lens), no 21 f4