Csacwp Posted November 1, 2017 Share #1  Posted November 1, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I’m considering a Thambar and am curious if the look of the following Saul Leiter photos are the result of soft focus (like the Thambar), out-of-focus, or shallow depth of field.  https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.collageplatform.com.prod/image_cache/300x230_fit/551971df07a72c625f603e56/83911879712f859cd16a58bde4281f4b.jpeg  http://www.artnet.com/artists/saul-leiter/reflection-a-YgdxknwCwbO7H80yg8aFvw2  http://www.artnet.com/WebServices/images/ll1143828llgnme52CfDrCWQFHPKAD/saul-leiter-paris.jpg  https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.collageplatform.com.prod/image_cache/1010x580_fit/551971df07a72c625f603e56/fae1a5e40c926595c4332ad9d804cb19.jpeg  http://www.bjp-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/01_-Press-Image-l-Saul-Leiter-Snow-1960-copy.jpg  http://theartofphotography.tv/photographers/saul-leiter/  http://www.howardgreenberg.com/artists/saul-leiter/featured-works?view=slider#5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 1, 2017 Posted November 1, 2017 Hi Csacwp, Take a look here Thambar Question. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wattsy Posted November 1, 2017 Share #2 Â Posted November 1, 2017 I don't think so. I think most of the softness can be accounted for by a combination of narrow depth of field (long lens) and slow film speed (thus slow shutter speed and a touch of camera shake). There's also some glow but I think that is just the kind of glow you typically find with lenses from that time rather than artificially induced by a Thambar type lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted November 1, 2017 Share #3 Â Posted November 1, 2017 I agree. The fact that some were taken through a window glass and/or in particular weather conditions probably also contributes to their softness. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csacwp Posted November 1, 2017 Author Share #4  Posted November 1, 2017 Thanks. If you two are correct, it’d save me a lot of money... I could get a ‘60s 90mm vs the Thambar, or just stick with my 90 apo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted November 1, 2017 Share #5 Â Posted November 1, 2017 Plenty of 85/90/100/105mm lenses available from that period. And most are relatively inexpensive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 1, 2017 Share #6  Posted November 1, 2017 I’m considering a Thambar and am curious if the look of the following Saul Leiter photos are the result of soft focus (like the Thambar), out-of-focus, or shallow depth of field.  https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.collageplatform.com.prod/image_cache/300x230_fit/551971df07a72c625f603e56/83911879712f859cd16a58bde4281f4b.jpeg  http://www.artnet.com/artists/saul-leiter/reflection-a-YgdxknwCwbO7H80yg8aFvw2  http://www.artnet.com/WebServices/images/ll1143828llgnme52CfDrCWQFHPKAD/saul-leiter-paris.jpg  https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.collageplatform.com.prod/image_cache/1010x580_fit/551971df07a72c625f603e56/fae1a5e40c926595c4332ad9d804cb19.jpeg  http://www.bjp-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/01_-Press-Image-l-Saul-Leiter-Snow-1960-copy.jpg  http://theartofphotography.tv/photographers/saul-leiter/  http://www.howardgreenberg.com/artists/saul-leiter/featured-works?view=slider#5  Hello Thank you for posting and thanks again to the guys who responded with useful points. I am going to try and get one of these lenses for a short trial if that is possible. However to justify the price it will have to be very good, but the common sense gene in me tells me it can not be £5000 good. Your points clarify that. When I first heard about the lens I imagines £3000 or there abouts .Once I saw the price I imagined a major reworking of the lens internally but sadly that does not seem to be the case.When I used Canon F1, I had the Canon 85mm Soft focus lens which was a great performer but did not sell in big numbers but only cost me £200 new.How times have changed. Thanks again to the OP. ps If I do manage to get one to try I will post some info.Could be worth a day out in London to Bruton Street once they get one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted November 1, 2017 Share #7  Posted November 1, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yes, I’m more interested in this lens than I thought I’d be and will also try it out when they get a demo lens in the Mayfair shop. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted November 1, 2017 Share #8  Posted November 1, 2017 I used to get the exact same results with my DC-nikkors 105 and 135. Play with the controls and you’ll get there easily.  Now if you like using SLRs or not is an dferent thing. But you’ll be able to know if you can live with the Look or not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted November 1, 2017 Share #9 Â Posted November 1, 2017 As a side note, I find it quite exciting that Leica are giving consideration to optics that are less than perfectly corrected. A lot has been lost in this drive for sharpness and minimal light drop-off across the frame. I would like to see more lenses with interesting spherical and other aberrations. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 1, 2017 Share #10  Posted November 1, 2017 As a side note, I find it quite exciting that Leica are giving consideration to optics that are less than perfectly corrected. A lot has been lost in this drive for sharpness and minimal light drop-off across the frame. I would like to see more lenses with interesting spherical and other aberrations. Pete MS Optics has someway pursued such kind of product strategy... Leica, imho, has made, above all, a VERY highly priced "nostalgy business" ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted November 1, 2017 Share #11  Posted November 1, 2017 MS Optics has someway pursued such kind of product strategy... Leica, imho, has made, above all, a VERY highly priced "nostalgy business" ...  If you can find one, the MS Optical Sonnetar 50mm ƒ 1.1 is interesting. It even has a dial on the rear element to vary degree of aberration. Not of optical interest, it also has a well designed cap, filter holder taking 3 different sizes, hood arrangement. Ignore the one on 'Bay right not - it's a so-called prototype insanely priced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted November 1, 2017 Share #12  Posted November 1, 2017 As a side note, I find it quite exciting that Leica are giving consideration to optics that are less than perfectly corrected. A lot has been lost in this drive for sharpness and minimal light drop-off across the frame. I would like to see more lenses with interesting spherical and other aberrations. Pete  I agree. Fortunately, there are many of these (Leica or not) on the used market. And prices are very reasonable.  MS Optics has someway pursued such kind of product strategy... Leica, imho, has made, above all, a VERY highly priced "nostalgy business" ...  Spot on. Despite their quirks (and terrible QC in my recent experience), Miyazaki's product are more creative/interesting - and decently priced for this kind of artisanal production. Lomography/Zenit have also being walking the nostalgic re-edition path, with a few lenses in Leica mount (the J3+ is pretty good, btw). And we may see a couple of "new" Biotars from the "new" MeyerOptik/Oprema Jena company soon. It' will be interesting to see if this "new old" business picks up, and at what price levels. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 1, 2017 Share #13 Â Posted November 1, 2017 It's a niche market, and the players, infact, do not play only on the "niche-in-the-niche"Â Leica market (even MS Optics, iirc, makes lenses for other mounts) but is intriguing... till now, I haven't bought anything... but can be that one day, maybe... Leica of course does not need to count on this niche to survive... so is simply a matter of making some money onto and, as a collateral, lure its cadre of loyal and spending-prone customers... (I have well in my mind that two Leica dealers, one in Paris, one other in Milano, in different times, told me the SAME thing :Â they have some customers who, simply, buy ANY new lens that Leica announces) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 4, 2017 Share #14 Â Posted November 4, 2017 It's a niche market, and the players, infact, do not play only on the "niche-in-the-niche"Â Leica market (even MS Optics, iirc, makes lenses for other mounts) but is intriguing... till now, I haven't bought anything... but can be that one day, maybe... Leica of course does not need to count on this niche to survive... so is simply a matter of making some money onto and, as a collateral, lure its cadre of loyal and spending-prone customers... (I have well in my mind that two Leica dealers, one in Paris, one other in Milano, in different times, told me the SAME thing :Â they have some customers who, simply, buy ANY new lens that Leica announces) I was told from a very reliable source some time ago of a collector who buys 1 of every piece of new Leica camera gear and never actually opens the box. long term it's probably a good financial investment? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodies Posted November 4, 2017 Share #15  Posted November 4, 2017 I’ve heard that he wraps them in clay and sinks them in the Mediterranean. Long term indeed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 4, 2017 Share #16 Â Posted November 4, 2017 I was told from a very reliable source some time ago of a collector who buys 1 of every piece of new Leica camera gear and never actually opens the box. long term it's probably a good financial investment? Can be... but it depends on his/her AGE... surely nowadays some lenses even not so old/rare could bring very high values at auctions (imagine, just for example a "Summicron 35 1st type Wetzlar - NEW BOXED WITH PAPERS... Â ).. but it takes MANY YEARS... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duoenboge Posted November 4, 2017 Share #17  Posted November 4, 2017 ...I would like to see more lenses with interesting spherical and other aberrations.  I purchase a Daguerreotype Achromat from Lomography and have a lot of fun with it.  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! 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/278331-thambar-question/?do=findComment&comment=3388600'>More sharing options...
enboe Posted November 4, 2017 Share #18 Â Posted November 4, 2017 they have some customers who, simply, buy ANY new lens that Leica announces) That would be me, waiting for the Thambar, 75/1.2, 35/1.0, ... Â Eric Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duoenboge Posted November 6, 2017 Share #19  Posted November 6, 2017 I lie this cute tower 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! 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/278331-thambar-question/?do=findComment&comment=3389952'>More sharing options...
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