5cm1.5 Sonnar Contax Mod/ LTM

jwcat · 10-28-2008

I just bought said lens from Camera West. It is supposed to be mounted in a Leica 5cm2.0 Summarit focus mount. It looks in good shape with some oil on the iris. It seems to be uncoated and serial number is 255**** so I assume it is prewar, is that correct?

I havn't got my M3 back yet, was mailed back to me some days ago, so I can't try it out yet. Will I have flare problems or strange color problems with it? I intend to shoot mostly B&W anyway.

Thanks...John

furcafe · 10-28-2008

Yes, it's pre-WWII.

Provided that the adapted lens focuses correctly (including being properly adjusted to account for the focal length difference between a Contax mount "50mm" & LTM "50mm"), it should perform like any other high-quality uncoated lens. I think mostly you'll notice less contrast & more muted colors when compared to single & multi-coated lenses. It should flare less than other uncoated fast 50s because the Sonnar has fewer elements (1 reason why the Sonnar was the undisputed high-speed king from the '30s until the late '50s).

jwcat · 10-29-2008

I decided to send it back. There was some friction when focused to 1m. CW said it probably was just some dirty threads on the end of the mount. I wondered what else was not checked before selling it. There was no problem with returning it and I am sure they are a very fine store.

raid · 10-29-2008

I have a 5cm 2.0 pre-war LTM lens from Brian Sweeney. It is a perfect lens.

FrankS · 10-29-2008

I wonder how many BrianS has made. I have one too.

raid · 10-29-2008

I don't know, but I am line for a Sonnar 5cm 1.5. I must get the "parts" first. I need a J-3 in any shape or form as a host for the Sonnar optics. Does anyone here have such a "donor lens" ?