super duper expensive 15mm lens for $15k!!... ><"

haagen_dazs

haagen_dazs

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so i never get to see this lens in photos
now i have
Item number: 140162607947
15 grand!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:

cameraquest says :

15/8 Zeiss Hologon made in Leica M mount by Leica 1972-1976. This is a very rare and exotic lens. Boxed mint examples have sold for as high as $15,000 when the market was at its highest. Not a shooter lens, at least not for most of us. Per van Hasbroeck, production only 350.


Its interesting that its a Leica made lens but the lens also had the Zeiss name branding.
Odd. what is that so?
 
haagen_dazs said:
Its interesting that its a Leica made lens but the lens also had the Zeiss name branding.
Odd. what is that so?
Click to expand...

Actually it is a Zeiss made lens, not Leica. Originally ment to the late and great Hologon camera, which is a camera built for the lens. A modified Contarex body. Buy the camera instead, you will get it cheaper... Only 3-5 k...
 
This is the Hologon f8 and as stated, it was made for the Hologon camera and the Leica commisioned Zeiss to make a batch of them. The figure I have heard is 420, but Paul van Haesbrock says 350. In any case it is rare.
I did have one for a while in the 70's, but did not get along with it. It is a hyperfocal lens and does not really focus to infinity. It also have massive edge fall off and if you use the center filter supplied with it, it becomes a f16! This made it pretty well useless for anything but tripod work. It is a good performer and architects and model builders often used them for specialized photography. For a while it went strathospheric pricewise as it was chased down by both users and collectors alike.
Later on Zeiss produced it for the Contax 1/II rangefinders G series and a company in Germany (Shaya?) did convert it to M-mount as a 16f8. Still not that practical and the users bought the Ultra Wide Heliar 15f4.5 instead as this one does focus properly and does cost about 4-5% of the original Hologon as well as have f stops!
When I had it (a loaner from Leica Canada) it was about $550 with the finder. After 6 month they asked if I wanted it for $450, but I turned it down as i found that it was not useful for me. No regrets either as it would not have been a "Mint, in the Box" if I had kept it anyway. Good finder though, but very big!
 
Hi Everyone,

I've been wondering how the current Zeiss 15mm f2.8 lens compares optically to the current VC 15mm. Has anyone shot or tested both? Thanks!

Dave
 
D&A said:
Hi Everyone,

I've been wondering how the current Zeiss 15mm f2.8 lens compares optically to the current VC 15mm. Has anyone shot or tested both? Thanks!

Dave
Click to expand...

By looking at the MTF chart, one would say they are not in the same league. However, as Tom mentioned, the legendary lens might have been overated due to the limited production.
 
fbf said:
By looking at the MTF chart, one would say they are not in the same league. However, as Tom mentioned, the legendary lens might have been overated due to the limited production.
Click to expand...

Well, I have the camera, and I have to say, overprised, but not overrated. It delivers first class results for a 15. Maybe the camera and the lens are somehow different, as mine does not have any infinity problem. But the light fall off is certainly there, the center filter is really needed. Don´t know about the CV 15, but it beats hands down a Canon or a Nikon 20, and that´s a lot of a 15.
 
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