lagrassa Posted July 28, 2009 Share #1 Posted July 28, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) 13.5cm Hektor f4,5 They don't seem to go for much money and was wondering how good of a lens it is. Does it couple to the Leica IIIc rangefinder? Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 28, 2009 Posted July 28, 2009 Hi lagrassa, Take a look here What's the Consensus on This Lens?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
doubice Posted July 28, 2009 Share #2 Posted July 28, 2009 13.5cm Hektor f4,5 They don't seem to go for much money and was wondering how good of a lens it is. Does it couple to the Leica IIIc rangefinder? Thanks. The Hektor is the best relatively easily obtainable 135mm Leica lens you will find in screw mount and yes, it does couple to the RF. When getting one, make sure you get one of the late coated versions and also make sure it does not have any scratches, fungus or fog. The lens will be from the 1950's and most were susceptible to those issues. Your other choice in a 135mm lens in LTM will be a Leica Elmar 4/135mm but, it was produced in very limited quantities (in LTM) and you will be battling with collectors if and when you find one. It does perform better than the Hektor, as it uses Lanthanum glass in some elements. How much better than the Hektor? Probably not much, with differences barely noticeable mainly at f:4 or f:5.6. Another lens worth considering would be a Canon 3.5/135mm - it was available in chrome and black mounts, with the chrome being quite heavy. The black is probably the one to get if you went that route, as it is lighter and has better coating. There would be other choices (Nikon or Russian Jupiter lenses in Leica screw mount) but, those would be either more expensive (Nikon) or would suffer from spotty quality control (Russian lenses). The Canon and the Hektor can be found often for less than US$100 and both are excellent performers. You will need an accesory finder to use these lenses on your IIIc, I believe you started a thread about these already and know what is needed. Best, Jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismon Posted July 28, 2009 Share #3 Posted July 28, 2009 They say that "familiarity breeds contempt", so after 76 years and almost 70 thousand examples of the 135 Hektor, it is "old news". It is still a great lens, very sharp, optimum by F/6.3. They are an absolute bargain today. Look for undamaged glass. I recently found a 1935 Hektor for only $15, with caps! They were produced until 1960, so you shouldn't have much difficulty finding a clean, coated, post-war model. When I transitioned to M-cameras, I traded my Hektor for the (then) new Tele-Elmar. Great lens, but I really missed the Hektor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lagrassa Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted July 28, 2009 Thanks for the info. Yes, I already have the 35-135 Leica finder so I am set there. I am not a collector but rather a sometimes user, so it appears that this lens would fit the bill. I am considering a near-mint example for around $US100. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted July 29, 2009 Share #5 Posted July 29, 2009 I recall reading in the preface of one his books that Stephen Dalton Stephen Dalton Photography: Welcome used a 135mm Hektor lens for much of his high speed nature photography but the lens was modified for use with a Nikon SLR. The lens has a reputation for being soft at the wider apertures but seems to be a good performer when stopped down. Cheers dunk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickersdc Posted July 29, 2009 Share #6 Posted July 29, 2009 When getting one, make sure you get one of the late coated versions and also make sure it does not have any scratches, fungus or fog. The lens will be from the 1950's and most were susceptible to those issues. May I ask why you suggest that the original poster "makes sure" they get a late coated 13.5cm lens... especially when you go on to say that they were often susceptible to fogging / fungus? I've just bought myself a 1937 13.5cm Hektor for close-up work, uncoated, and I'm looking forward to seeing the results from it. I really like my uncoated '34 9cm lens. I mean no disrespect, I'm genuinely curious as to why someone should look out for a later lens. Thanks, David. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted July 29, 2009 Share #7 Posted July 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) May I ask why you suggest that the original poster "makes sure" they get a late coated 13.5cm lens... especially when you go on to say that they were often susceptible to fogging / fungus? I've just bought myself a 1937 13.5cm Hektor for close-up work, uncoated, and I'm looking forward to seeing the results from it. I really like my uncoated '34 9cm lens. I mean no disrespect, I'm genuinely curious as to why someone should look out for a later lens. Thanks, David. Hello David, Many of the early pre-war and war-time lenses have fogging and surface cleaning marks. Mainly however, is is the anti-reflex coating that the late lenses will have and this will improve image quality - not all across the board but, in the more challenging light situations. I have also found that colour reproduction is better with the coated lenses. Given 'lagrassa's' knowledge (no disrespect here), I feel that it is best to eliminate potential disappointments before he takes the plunge. Additionally, lenses from 1950's will be less likely to need re-lubrication of their focusing mounts. The latest ones will have the more or less universal 39mm filter mount and will accept a lens hood easily available today - 12575. To find the early push-on 36mm accessories is a bit of a pain and the correct FIKUS shade necessary for the early Hektor is sometimes even pricier than the 12575. Of course an uncoated lens will provide excellent results; a coated one will simply be better. Also, the OP has a IIIc from the late early 50's (IIRC) and a lens from the same period will be more appropriate - for the purists at least.... Best, Jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickersdc Posted July 29, 2009 Share #8 Posted July 29, 2009 Thank you for your kind explanation Jan Funny you should mention about the 'right' lens for the camera - my Hektor is contemporary with my Leica II (they were built in the same year!). Many thanks, David. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
e.d.maes Posted August 25, 2009 Share #9 Posted August 25, 2009 I got a screwmount Hektor many years ago, in a full set I was able to buy. As said it perfectly couples to the rangefinders. Moreover I have been using it a few times with it's appropriate adapter ring on my M3 (using a CL and 90/2 as lightmetering ) in theatre situations. Resullts here; ferre a janson - 1979, 1981, 1984. (the nearest takes are 135, the others 90mm; all full frame). I more recently obtained, thogether wit a Visoflex set, the modern version of the lens, in Visoflex mount, and indeed it has excellent (for the days) coating and is better conserved. I would expect the old Hektor to have some "tint" when used for coulour work (I never did), much more than the more modern coated ones. It is a lens that on screwmount as well as M bodies feels very comfortable in handling! To my tatse at least... eddie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted August 26, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 26, 2009 A word in favour of the Canon - I have a late model black example, and it is a decent, sharp performer. I have used it on my M7 on many an occasion. I used to have one of the very last 135 f4.0 m-mount lenses, bought new when the 3.4 came out, and I regret selling it, but the Canon is a very able substitute. Here's a couple of examples taken with this lens: Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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