Lothar Kolsch

[Csacwp]

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Does anybody know which M lenses were designed by Lothar Kolsch other than the 90mm Apo-Summicron Asph?

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[otho]

"The lenses designed under Kölsch (1986-2002) include: 90 Summicron AA (...), ASPH 35 f/1.4, 35 Summicron ASPH, 28 Elmarit E46".

And:

"The 21/24 Elmarit ASPH lenses predate Peter Karbe's reign as chief designer (appointed 2002), and were created while Lothar Kölsch was the chief designer - but Karbe worked in the department prior to running it, so he may have had a hand in the 21/24".

 

According to:

---> https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/174394-leica-lens-designers/

Edited February 1, 2018 by otho

[Csacwp]

Leica Wiki credits the 35 cron asph to Karbe, but that must be an error. While Karbe was working on the design team in 1996, Kolsch was the lead designer. Elsewhere on the web, I’ve seem the 90aa attributed to Karbe as well, which is certainly incorrect.

 

I do know that Kolsch is responsible for many of the R zoom and long tele lenses.

Edited February 1, 2018 by Csacwp

[Steve McGarrett]

In my opinion Koelsch's work is a bit underrated.

At times on the Internet it seems that Leica just switched from Mandler to Karbe era, and that's not the case... Koelsch was the father of many outstanding design such as all the Apo lenses for R system in the 90s (180/2, 180/2.8, 280/4, Apo-Modular-system, 70-180, M135/3.4 etc.) and first generation of Asph lenses for M system as well...

Edited February 1, 2018 by Steve McGarrett

[Csacwp]

I agree, and Kolsch’s lenses have their own signature that differs from the later Karbe lenses.

[lct]

I agree, and Kolsch’s lenses have their own signature that differs from the later Karbe lenses.

 

I don't know whom designed what lenses exactly but i hardly see any significant IQ difference between my own asph M lenses i must say. Summarits have perhaps a alightly more "classic" rendering but those are Karbe lenses i suspect.