Lenses serials curiositie - Images 2

[Pecole]

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As I reached The maximum permitted size for attachments in my former thread, I will publish the rest of the related images in two threads.

Here is the first.

 

07 - Telyt 20cm nº230255, but I had the earlier nº230057

 

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09 - The Thambar, here complete TOODY with its spot filter, reversible hood and cap, and original red box :

 

 

 

12 - The Leitz New-York Wollensak lenses : Velostigmat 3.5/50, 4.5/90 and 4.5/127 :

 

   

 

 

13 - The Summitar nº523640 "R.AERONAUTICA" :

 

 

14 - The early black paint Summarex nº593085 with cap and original red box; the nº593149 with engraving error; the nº593126 black paint and chrome (as SOOCX with its hood); and finally a complete set with SGOOD viewfinder and leather case :

 

 

 

    

 

 

[levegh]

This thread is fascinating: much history and technical knowledge is extracted and divined from collections.  There is a deficit, though: it perhaps balances the benefit. All those lenses are removed from use by those of us who still take photographs with screwmount Leicas. Collecting rather than demand by users has driven the price of some lenses skyhigh. I realise that there are other supply problems, notably the gradual leaching away of the stock of LTM lenses to people using them, via adaptors, on digital cameras. All the same, it is a bit galling to know that I will never afford some of the older lenses.

 

Thanks, collectors all, for the knowledge you have garnered and passed on, but could those of us on modest incomes have a few lenses back?

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[luigi bertolotti]

This thread is fascinating: much history and technical knowledge is extracted and divined from collections.  There is a deficit, though: it perhaps balances the benefit. All those lenses are removed from use by those of us who still take photographs with screwmount Leicas. Collecting rather than demand by users has driven the price of some lenses skyhigh. I realise that there are other supply problems, notably the gradual leaching away of the stock of LTM lenses to people using them, via adaptors, on digital cameras. All the same, it is a bit galling to know that I will never afford some of the older lenses.

 

Thanks, collectors all, for the knowledge you have garnered and passed on, but could those of us on modest incomes have a few lenses back?

If you'd like to own some old Leitz lenses for using, indeed a great budget is NOT needed : think of these items :

 

- Elmar 50 f 3,5

- Summaron 35 f 3,5

- Summar 50 f 2 (or Summitar)

- Elmar 90 f 4

- Hektor 135 f 4,5

 

Lot of them are available, at reasonable costs, and any of them is enjoyable... keep also in mind that a user item does not need to be cosmetically excellent ("collector's grade") to be also a good performer... and all the above items are of simple construction and, in case, can be repolished/adjusted at no great cost. Even a Telyt 200 4,5 + Viso isn't a big expense...

 

Cost is different for less common items... a good 28 (Hektor) is a step up, in price, over the above 35 (but is VERY pleasant in use... ), and so more a 21 or the superluminous ones (f 1,5) like Xenon Summarit Summarex...

 

But, I repeat, a set of 3-4 focals you like to use isn't a great investiment, is a pleasure to use, and also a stable value because there are really hundreds all around: check ebay or specialized dealers to verify current prices...

Edited January 28, 2017 by luigi bertolotti

[willeica]

If you'd like to own some old Leitz lenses for using, indeed a great budget is NOT needed : think of these items :

 

- Elmar 50 f 3,5

- Summaron 35 f 3,5

- Summar 50 f 2 (or Summitar)

- Elmar 90 f 4

- Hektor 135 f 4,5

 

Lot of them are available, at reasonable costs, and any of them is enjoyable... keep also in mind that a user item does not need to be cosmetically excellent ("collector's grade") to be also a good performer... and all the above items are of simple construction and, in case, can be repolished/adjusted at no great cost. Even a Telyt 200 4,5 + Viso isn't a big expense...

 

Cost is different for less common items... a good 28 (Hektor) is a step up, in price, over the above 35 (but is VERY pleasant in use... ), and so more a 21 or the superluminous ones (f 1,5) like Xenon Summarit Summarex...

 

But, I repeat, a set of 3-4 focals you like to use isn't a great investiment, is a pleasure to use, and also a stable value because there are really hundreds all around: check ebay or specialized dealers to verify current prices...

 

I agree 100% . There some really good Leica LTM lenses out there that don't cost a fortune. The rare models will attract collectors and gain high prices. That is the way of the world, I'm afraid.

 

William

[Guest]

This thread is fascinating: much history and technical knowledge is extracted and divined from collections.  There is a deficit, though: it perhaps balances the benefit. All those lenses are removed from use by those of us who still take photographs with screwmount Leicas. Collecting rather than demand by users has driven the price of some lenses skyhigh. I realise that there are other supply problems, notably the gradual leaching away of the stock of LTM lenses to people using them, via adaptors, on digital cameras. All the same, it is a bit galling to know that I will never afford some of the older lenses.

 

Thanks, collectors all, for the knowledge you have garnered and passed on, but could those of us on modest incomes have a few lenses back?

 

Collecting lenses to hoard values could go wrong, as mycelia can also reach safes.

Valuable musical instruments, e.g. violins by Antonio Stradivari, are loaned to talented musicians who could never afford such a valuable instrument.

Perhaps collectors could also lend their rare lenses, which are not available as replicas, to talented young photographers.

Contacts may be provided by professors for photography.

[willeica]

 

Collecting lenses to hoard values could go wrong, as mycelia can also reach safes.

Valuable musical instruments, e.g. violins by Antonio Stradivari, are loaned to talented musicians who could never afford such a valuable instrument.

Perhaps collectors could also lend their rare lenses, which are not available as replicas, to talented young photographers.

Contacts may be provided by professors for photography.

 

 

Most of us who collect are not looking to make money. We are collecting because we value certain items. The high prices are a pure 'market effect' of too many buyers chasing too few rare items.

 

The idea of loaning valuable collectors' items is a nice one in theory, but I cannot see how this can be practically done. With rare violins students practice and perform in a 'controlled environment' which is indoors in very specific locations, with music teachers and others in the background. Giving a rare or valuable lens to a student photographer to go out onto the street or into the field or even into a busy studio with it would not be something that could be easily assured or insured. Even the existence of professors of photography in the background would not offset the issues involved.

 

William

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... With rare violins students practice and perform in a 'controlled environment' which is indoors in very specific locations, with music teachers and others in the background. ....

 

Rare and unique instruments are loaned to working artists who then take those instruments with them to use them in public performances. I know and enjoy several artists using instruments by Guarneri and Stradivarius. One of those artists left the Stradivarius in a train and regained it again after a very exciting time.

[levegh]

My comments were tongue in cheek. All the same, I would be happier if I knew that collectors were users: I am sure they must be. It is perfectly true that a very useable collection of Leica lenses can be gathered together for relatively little money and ,as for the most expensive lenses, I know my place in the pecking order.

[willeica]

My comments were tongue in cheek. All the same, I would be happier if I knew that collectors were users: I am sure they must be. It is perfectly true that a very useable collection of Leica lenses can be gathered together for relatively little money and ,as for the most expensive lenses, I know my place in the pecking order.

 

What they do with their collection is a matter for the collectors/owners concerned. If it re-assures you, I use some of my collectors' items on a fairly regular basis. I believe that other collectors do the same but, obviously, as your collection grows there are only so many lenses that you can use regularly. 

 

As for the issue about violins v lenses (an apples and oranges comparison, if I ever saw one) I cannot see any collector giving a rare lens like a Thambar to a young photographer for a street shoot. I am not sure that anyone would really benefit from such a transaction. There are plenty of other more productive ways to help young student photographers.

 

William

Edited January 28, 2017 by willeica

[mickjazz]

I for one have loaned many of my lenses to friends who have started into film photography (again from digital) with leica equipment. Maybe they bought a iiif and summitar reconditioned from Youxin etc. So I loan them a summaron 35, a summicron collapsible and a medium focal length like an elmar 9, canon rangefinder 100mm 3.5, komura 105 etc. I won't loan them a nickel 2.8 hektor but have loaned summarits and xenons as well as nikkor 5cm.

 

It's a new world for them.

[luigi bertolotti]

Me too loan some of mine, time to time... to a pro friend who uses Fuji X Pro...