Asking advices

[maxspbr]

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Hello.

 

 

I got part of the Leica equipment from my grandfather (died 1975) . Four Leica filters (OK), some filters without mount (almost all with lost of pigment), part of a Visoflex, a filter named 13358D (I identified this as a pola-screen for Reflex, but my grandfather never had a Reflex camera, and this certainly ins´t a pola-screen), flash cord for M3, shade for the 90mm and 135mm (in very good shape), etc. All in a Leica bag that I still don´t know how to turn in a good shape (in fact, I still don´t know the original color if it. My grandmother says that it was brown, but it looks like a green pattern).

 

I would like some advice about two objectives. The first is a M, colapsible, Elmar 90mm, f4. Serial 12619xx. Is this a great lens as a shooter? It has a lot of fogging inside (30 years without use!), is easy and cheap to clean?

 

The second is an Hektor 135mm, f 4.5, LTM, serial 12067xx. Same questions, but one more. My gandmother didn't find part of the lens, the tube that could be replaced by the Visoflex (she didn't find the other parts of the Visoflex, either). This is a kind of an acessory that I still can buy, or in fact this is a "dead" objective, and to use I will must make a Frankenstein with another one?

 

There are too a few acessories that i can't identify for what they are, but then I will send photos.

 

Thanks a lot!

 

Martin

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[luigi bertolotti]

Both your lenses date from 1955 or so.

Elmar 90 collapsible is still a good and usable lens: a good lab can repolish it, but of course I have not an idea of where a good lab can be around Your home: given that even in very good conditions it is not a lens of great money value (I can say around 300 US$), evaluate if it is worth to afford cleaning and maybe a LONG travel for the item.

Almost the same can be said about the Hektor 135, with an additional problem due to the focusing barrel that seems missing: it did existed as Leitz part (do not remember the code) but sure difficult to find: it is easier to find in the marketplace the short focusing mount (ZOOAN or maybe ZOOEP....) to fit the Visoflex: if you have passion and time and patience, can find somewhere from a repair shop, but keep in mind that Hektor is a very common lens, rather undervalued (around 150 max 200 US$ very good).

You do not speak about an important item...BODY ?

[maxspbr]

Thanks very much, Luigi!

 

 

I'm very curious to use the Elmar 90mm; it's a very beautiful piece! I will look around here for the cleaning.

 

The Hektor still have the focusing barrel. I told that is a missing part because I compared with photos of other Hektor 135 (looks longer than mine) and it´s impossivle the coupling in the camera (IIc); there isn't any part linked to the rangefinder. Maybe a lens for Visoflex only? I've read something about this, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I would like to use this objective by sentimental reasons; 50mm Summitar at my camera is just wonderful.

 

You asked about the bodies... My grandfather started with photography around 1932, and since 1937 with Leica. When he died (1975), my grandmother gave the cameras to the sons, but maintened with her the enlarger (Focomat IIc) and a lot of objectives. The cameras were a nice collection: 2 M3, 1 M2, 1 IIIf, 1 Contax II, 1 Polaroid and 1 Duccatti Sogno. Polaroid and Ducatti went to my mother, and now are with me.

 

After all, my grandmother selled the enlarger and all the lens, just remaining these two I wrote about. I'm still waiting to get one of the M3, just mint (this onde he user with the family. The other he user everyday, as a journalist). When this doesn't happen, I go shooting with my IIc.

 

Martin

[luigi bertolotti]

Woah... Ducati Sogno !! Be aware of it : is not for I am Italian, but it is really a fine, rare

and collectible camera: made in Italy in the first years after WWII, when manufacturers tried several ways to switch from military to civil production: Ducati tried with cameras for 3 or 4 years...then found its way on motorcycles and electrical equipment (Ducati Moto and Ducati Energia, both still alive, next to each other in Bologna, companies no more related). I know that family heritage items are often (rightly) a sentimental matter, but keep in mind that in Europe, USA and Japan do exist collectors who like this "period" items, and the Sogno is a respected name. To be clear: it worths: the well

known (to collectors) McKeown guide gives a value around 500 US$ for the Sogno (I refer to my old McKeown guide of 1998, have not the more recent editions).

Regarding the Hektor...send a picture, if You like, but I think to have understood: your one has the short mount for using on Visoflex, the one I mentioned before (I checked: correct code is ZOOAN, or 16495).

The "long mount" for using on LTM bodies was available, and for s/n after 1.130.001 the code was ZOKEG or 14016, but, as I said, not easy to find, and "Frankenstein" solutions are delicate: do not forget that the long mount INCLUDES the rangefinder coupling arm-cam assembly: a "fine-tuned" component. As a lens to use Hektor is surely good (I have one and often use it) but, as I said, does not worth spending money on it with the risk of uncertain result: use it on the Viso, if you like... not fast in use, better on tripod.

[maxspbr]

Thanks!

 

The world can change a lot - My grandfather winned the Sogno as the first prize in a little photo contest around 1958. Never used it (he was a little too proud of his Leicas and Contax to use the little Sogno. When my father bought a Praktica super TL my grandfather said that it was junk! I learned photography with the Praktica, and still use it a lot. Meyer Domiplan 50mm, and it is capable of very beautiful portraits). But the Sogno is a very beautiful camera with a somewhat look of M3, and capable of very good photos. The only problems is the film, because I only have one cartridge.

 

I understood what is the problem with the Hektor; maybe the destiny of this lens is the shelf... I only have a part (the prism) of a Visoflex. So, let's try to find the other pieces!! And then try to clean the lens.

 

Thanks again,

 

Martin