Leitz Summicron 50mm f/2 Dual Range!!

Leica M3 + Leitz Summicron 50mm f/2 Dual Range, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Recently acquired the famed Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2.0 Dual Range.

This is a really interesting lens and it's basically a Rigid Summicron (which is known for it's resolution) with close focusing capabilities! As we all know, macro photography and rangefinder cameras aren't exactly the best match.

The 'spectecles' are actually removable. Without it, the lens works just like a regular Summicron lens. Once you clip it on, it can go below the usual 1m minimum focusing distance, in this case, to about 48cm. Also interesting to note is that this setup allows parallax corrected viewing in the close focus range! The way the whole setup comes together is amazing and the quality of the construction is top notch.

However, do take note that to mount or remove the lens, you have to remove the 'specs' first. If you don't have any where to put it, it might just end up missing sometime later or be damaged when it falls out of your hands accidentally. There was some like of a carrying case for the lens and spec setup, but it's bulky. There's also a leather holder for the spec alone, but it's not easy to find.

Whilst the len was made for the M3, the close focusing function also works on most of the other Leica cameras (except some M6 with a different film chamber). It won't work on M mount cameras from other brands with the exception of the Konica Hexar. Of course the lens on its own works just fine on any M mount cameras.

Anyway, let's see how this lens performs!

Cheers,

They just don't make them like they used to..

Vintage Leica M3 set, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Despite the fact that some of these gear are made more than 50 years ago, they will outlast some of the recently produced cameras.

There was once a time when manufacturers will present products that represent their best efforts, made with the finest materials and was built to last. Whilst some of these items may seem bulky and heavy by today's standards, it does not change the fact that corporations then used to have a philosophy to produce products that last. And this extends beyond Leica, and beyond cameras.

These days, product life cycles are so short. In most industries, lower cost to maximise profit is the corporate axiom. "Acceptable" has become the defecto standard instead of "best". Nothing needs to last forever, or even ten years, customers would have junk it for something else by then.

It's such a bloody shame.....

Cheers,

Jaguar E Type (XKE) @ Frankfurt

Jaguar E Type (XKE), originally uploaded by benny ng.

Saw this at the Frankfurt airport whilst in transit. Part of some rental car advertising campaign by SIXT. Actually, there are other cars on display as well. Seems like it's quite popular to use airports for automobile presentations in Europe, or at least Germany.

Anyway, this is a classic and I just love the lines on it. We don't see too many of these in my part of the world.

Taken with the M mount Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Aspherical lens.

Cheers,

(Canon 7 Rangefinder + 50mm f/0.95) X 2!

(Canon 7 Rangefinder + 50mm f/0.95) X 2!, originally uploaded by benny ng.

So Yiming got seduced. Ended up with one of these speed monster instead of the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.1.

Check out the serial numbers of this pair of "brudder" lens!

Let's see how long he last with this. Focusing on the rangefinder ain't forgiving. Especially at f/0.95!

I give him 6 months.... Ha Ha!

My gosh!! It sure is big and long alright!

Canon IIB Rangefinder + Serenar f/4 100mm, originally uploaded by benny ng.

The Canon IIB is one of the earlier models amongst those I have.

Whilst I was organizing the mess with the addition of the 2 new dry cabinets, I thought I'll take this one out for a happy snappy. Mated with with the Serenar f/4 100mm lens and it sure is heavy!! Add the camera holder and it makes a brick seem so much lighter.

The camera holder is really a weird accessory. Although the camera itself has an off center tripod screw, this accessory allows for the camera to be mounted both horizontally and vertically, in the center of the lens axis. There is also a spirit level included as well. I suppose this is for panoramic landscape pictures more than anything else.

I would hate to imagine what a vintage leather bag, with 2 cameras, 3 to 5 lens and their respective finders, the camera holder and loads of film, would weigh.....

Don't you just love the vintage look!

Cheers,

The Serenar 5cm f/2.0 LTM!!!

Chiif X Canon IIF2 X Serenar 5cm f/2.0 LTM, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Chiif X Canon IIF2 X Serenar 5cm f/2.0 LTM

Chi Fei came by for coffee and so I showed him part of the stuff that landed the week before. Amongst the stash was the Canon IIF2 rangefinder camera. It's one of the last few type of bottom loading version and this particular model has less than 3000 pieces ever made.

What is of interest is the lens, which is the Serenar 5cm f/2.0 LTM. This particular variant is one of less than 350 produced! Finally, I'm now down to one last lens for the LTM line up.

Now let's focus on finding the black Canon 85mm f/1.9.

Cheers,

Vintage classic: Canon 100mm f/3.5 LTM

Vintage classic: Canon 100mm f/3.5 LTM, originally uploaded by benny ng.

Some of the classic Canon 100mm f/3.5 screw mount lenses amongst the stash.... small form factor and spectacular performer.

In total, there's 7 variations with 2 distinctively different barrels. I'm missing type 5, although type 2 is also not shown in the picture.

Collecting variations of a single lens type must surely be signs of a sick mind.

Cheers,

Canon Rangefinder Lens update

So... I must admit it got a bit out of hand..

I never thought of myself as a gear collector but I do know that I'm a bit of a horder. In any case, I am very much drawn to these obsolete (but no less functional) rangefinder offering from Canon.

The list so far...

19mm f/3.5

25mm f/3.5

28mm f/2.8 (Chrome)

35mm f/1.5
35mm f/1.8
35mm f/2.0
35mm f/2.8 (Chrome)
35mm f/3.2
35mm f/3.5

50mm f/0.95
50mm f/1.2
50mm f/1.4
50mm f/1.5
50mm f/1.8 (Chrome)
50mm f/1.8 (Black)
50mm f/2.2
50mm f/2.8 (black/chrome)

85mm f/1.5 (Black/chrome)
85mm f/1.8
85mm f/1.9 (Chrome)
85mm f/2.0

100mm f/2.0
100mm f/3.5 (Black/Chrome)
100mm f/3.5 (Black)
100mm f/4.0

135mm f/3.5 (Black)
135mm f/4.0

There about 9 more lens to complete the range of lenses, but actually a lot more if we are talking about a comprehensive collection.

Let's see how long it takes to hunt down the remaining lenses.