jbl Posted July 12, 2015 Share #1 Posted July 12, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) The Thambar is probably the most difficult lens I have in terms of consistency and predictability. Maybe I’ll get better at it with time, but it’s hit and miss. Today, was a hit. My daughter and niece. -jbl Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 11 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/247659-thambar-success/?do=findComment&comment=2852323'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 12, 2015 Posted July 12, 2015 Hi jbl, Take a look here thambar success. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
lleo Posted July 12, 2015 Share #2 Posted July 12, 2015 Nice pic. Yes, try, try and try. Only trying that much you can achieve the results you want. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jankap Posted July 17, 2015 Share #3 Posted July 17, 2015 The Thambar is probably the most difficult lens I have in terms of consistency and predictability. Maybe I’ll get better at it with time, but it’s hit and miss. Today, was a hit. My daughter and niece. -jbl Very nice picture. Sorry, I did not understand, why it is a hit/miss lens? Jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jankap Posted July 17, 2015 Share #4 Posted July 17, 2015 I had a look at Overgaard´s report. I believe it now. Portraits and fashion are not my interest. Jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted April 7, 2017 Share #5 Posted April 7, 2017 http://mwclassic.com/product/carl-zeiss-60mm-f3-5-distagon-t-cb-lens-for-hasselblad-no-8127115-makers-caps-box-with-full-packaging/ dunk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenzoLandini Posted April 7, 2017 Share #6 Posted April 7, 2017 JBL, The Thambar is a very particular lens, technically flawed and yet beautifully effective for nostalgic portraits. It's a lens that was designed on purpose to be overly soft in days when any lens would be considered already soft by modern standard. On top of that, or as result of it, it's plenty of aberrations... color, glare, etc. and therefore there are many moving parts that can make or break it an image, hence the unpredictability. It's a lens that was not designed for color, not to mention digital. However, it has a very peculiar character and either one loves it or hates it. I personally love it and I too get beautiful portraits one day and so and so another day. I actually think this perfectly fits the temperament of the lens... And yet it's a very highly prized Leica collector item, which is often on the wish-list of many Leica aficionados and collectors... cheers, lorenzo Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted April 8, 2017 Share #7 Posted April 8, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) For those interested, here are som photos from my Fontenelle Collection's archives. I also add copy of a short "user's manual". As far as I remember - it was mote than 30 years ago! - I never had satisfactory results with my Thambars (in these past times, with BW films), but I must confess that patience is not one of my rare qualities...Bus as a collector, I was fascinated by the lens, and had a total of nine. Here are the serials : 283188 (with an engraving error : "Thamba"), 283219, 283415, 311323, 311350,375053, 416595, 416700 and 540114. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/247659-thambar-success/?do=findComment&comment=3250773'>More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted April 8, 2017 Share #8 Posted April 8, 2017 Nine Thambars … that's fascinating! Do you still have one … or two? dunk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted April 8, 2017 Share #9 Posted April 8, 2017 M8 Thambar filter 2.2 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/247659-thambar-success/?do=findComment&comment=3250982'>More sharing options...
Pecole Posted April 9, 2017 Share #10 Posted April 9, 2017 Nine Thambars … that's fascinating! Do you still have one … or two? dunk No, Dunk. Now aged 83, I decided 25 years ago, when I decided to reform and to move to sunny Portugal, to part from my collection. Everything, except the literature. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted April 9, 2017 Share #11 Posted April 9, 2017 M8 Thambar filter 2.2 Excellent! bravo, Jean-Claude Pierre 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Pope Posted April 9, 2017 Share #12 Posted April 9, 2017 This thread piqued my interest in this lens. I had heard about it but never really though about it much. Then I did a quick google search and discovered how much they can sell for. Wow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted April 13, 2017 Share #13 Posted April 13, 2017 Hello Everybody, In its advertiseing, during the 1930's, Leitz said: When used without the additional "spot" filter the softness in the image was due to "under corrected spherical abberation" which could be lessened by stopping the lens down. At which point the lens could be used like any other lens. Best Regards, Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted April 13, 2017 Share #14 Posted April 13, 2017 This thread piqued my interest in this lens. I had heard about it but never really though about it much. Then I did a quick google search and discovered how much they can sell for. Wow. Now you just need to get past the shock of the price. Next will be a small building desire, followed by an acceptance of the price, followed by the hunt for the complete kit. It's easiest just to move straight for the hunt, it saves time 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted April 13, 2017 Share #15 Posted April 13, 2017 http://mwclassic.com/product/carl-zeiss-60mm-f3-5-distagon-t-cb-lens-for-hasselblad-no-8127115-makers-caps-box-with-full-packaging/ dunk This example sold quickly. There are two others listed by one London dealer for a similar price. Four years ago I reserved one listed by a London dealer for just £1250 which seemed to be a lot of ££ at the time but declined to buy as it had some minor haze in the glass … Live and learn i.e. 'He who hesitates … " dunk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted April 13, 2017 Share #16 Posted April 13, 2017 (edited) ... Then I did a quick google search and discovered how much they can sell for. Wow. It is the PERFECT case of a collectible with a stable value on the high side : - It is really an antiquity (1930's only) with NO successors : which, for instance, doesn't apply to the Elmar 13,5 cm f 4,5 - Has an aura of its own for its special purpose, design, and build (the filter, the dual f stop scale) : which for instance, doesn't apply to the Elmar 10,5 cm - It was made in rather few numbers... but not SO few to make it an absoulte rarity which very seldom appears for sale (no "mean market value") : which, for instance, is the case of the Compur Summicron. And being such an item, price/value depends a lot of what is SOLD... my one has a rather worn barrel... good glass... filter but no hood... I paid (years ago) less then 800 Euro for ; fine, complete with hood box etc it brings really high evaluations. Edited April 13, 2017 by luigi bertolotti 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 13, 2017 Share #17 Posted April 13, 2017 It is the PERFECT case of a collectible with a stable value on the high side : ... You're absolutely right, it is a very special case for collectors. Last year, a Leica promoter showed photos he had taken with the Thambar at Venice. Even with very good will everything looked similar to Lomo. Perhaps one could also set a lens out of focus or lubricate some vaseline on a filter with a clear hole in the center. But it might be the ideal lens to flatter your mother-in-law with her wrinkle-free face. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted April 13, 2017 Share #18 Posted April 13, 2017 But it might be the ideal lens to flatter your mother-in-law with her wrinkle-free face. Why would you want to flatter your mother in law? 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 13, 2017 Share #19 Posted April 13, 2017 Why would you want to flatter your mother in law? Have you ever had one? It's a fairly simple calculation: The more satisfied your mother-in-law is with you, the easier you will collect bonus points at your wife - not at least for your next Leica lens... But therefore you might find cheaper solutions than a Thambar. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted April 13, 2017 Share #20 Posted April 13, 2017 Have you ever had one? It's a fairly simple calculation: The more satisfied your mother-in-law is with you, the easier you will collect bonus points at your wife - not at least for your next Leica lens... But therefore you might find cheaper solutions than a Thambar. I have one, but I find avoidance has served me well so far! Maybe I need a flattering 500mm lens? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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