Hektor 73mm, Thambar, Summarex, what else?

[johannielscom]

Hello,

I'm looking into longer lenses with 'dreamlike' properties like the Hektor 73mm 1.9 , Thambar 90mm 2.2 or Summarex 85mm 1.5.

These normally cost an arm and a leg in the modern day internet-driven markets so I'm also interested in other brands and models: Komura, Jupiter, Canon, Nikon, everything goes as long as results look (more or less) similar. My focus is on results rather than the 'wow' factor of the lens itself.

Should you like to share any shots with the above Leitz lenses or an alternative, I would be most grateful!?

Also, anyone ever try using a 'center spot' filter on other lenses to approximate the Thambar or Hektor results? Any results to show?

 

[Bar8barian]

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[Bar8barian]

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[raid]

Summarit on an Ep-2 ...is another possibility for a portarit lens with character.

 

[johannielscom]

On the net (just now) I read that apparently the 125mm Hektor is soft all over when wide open. Only excels when stopped down, when it gets real sharp.

Thanks for that list, gives me a starting point. Most of these lenses are hard to find, I reckon.

I've always wondered what a modern Voigtlander 75mm Heliar without any coating would look like, something tells me it would be just perfect...

Anyone ever try a center filter on any lens, or maybe the Summicron 90mm 2.0?

 

[ferider]

I've always wondered what a modern Voigtlander 75mm Heliar without any coating would look like, something tells me it would be just perfect...

If you are talking about the 75/1.8 Heliar, without coating it would be pretty much a 73 Hektor. Per lens diagram at least ....

How much speed do you need ? My only lens that is similar to what you describe is the Helios 40-2, a Biotar based design, but not M-mount (there was a fast/long LTM Biotar at some point. The Dallmeyer lens mentioned above might be a great start).

From your post it sounds like my other fast teles (Komura, Summilux, Nikkor) would be too modern looking.

BTW, the Summarex is not really dream-like wide open. Not more than the Nikkor or Canon 85/1.5 .... Maybe you want to look at those ?

 

[Luddite Frank]

So, how do you get a "modern" V-lander 75mm with uncoated glass ?


Also, I think I recall reading that the 125mm Hektor was furnished in short-mount-only for use with the Visoflex housing... did someone make a focusing-mount to use it as a regular RF lens ?

 

[johannielscom]

The 75/1.8 it would be, yes. I noticed the similarity in lens layout. Would be a bit of a shocker though to have the coating removed from a brand spanking new lens!? 😱

Maybe I should post in the 'Voigtlander - wanted' thread and have Mr. K create me one? EDIT: did that, just now 🙂

The 125mm Hektor is a Visoflex lens indeed. I'm getting rid of a Visoflex I housing I got in a deal last weekend, it doesn't do much for me, waay to big to haul around.

 

[Bar8barian]

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[Doug]

For modest cost and a new lens with warranty, I'll echo the suggestion for the recent Voigtlander Heliar f/1.8. It seems the intent of its production was to meet your desire for that old-time look, at least at wide apertures. Maybe it's no coincidence that the shapes and arrangement of glass elements appear the same as the Hektor f/1.9.

Sean Reid has a thorough review of this lens in comparison with other 75 mm lenses...

 

[johannielscom]

Well maybe I should try using a center spot filter like the Thambar has on that Heliar 75mm 1.8!? See how it behaves then? Interesting idea!

 

[Vince Lupo]

All of these are shot wide open (more or less):

73 Hektor

73 Hektor

90 Summicron (Type 1 Screw Mount 'SOOZI')

90 Summicron (Type 1 Screw Mount 'SOOZI')

Also depends on how much you want to spend -- a 73 Hektor will run about $600-$800, while a screw mount SOOZI is $2K+.

 

[Luddite Frank]

Wonderful pictures Vince; thank you for sharing !

Luddite Frank

 

[Vince Lupo]

I think the 73 Hektor would be your best bet -- for me, I think it gives that 'dreamy' look you're after, while still maintaing a certain 'sharpness', albeit a different kind of sharpness. Plus, I don't think it's too outrageously priced (for a relatively rare Leica LTM lens, that is). Only thing is I think it only close focuses to 1.5m (don't have it in front of me, but I think that's what it is).

 

[johannielscom]

Vince, I would be happy with a 600 to 800 USD Hektor, all I see are on eBay and they run up to EUR 1200 😱

At the moment I have no cash to burn on a lens anyway, but one can always wish and dream, right?

 

[Luddite Frank]

All of these are shot wide open (more or less):

73 Hektor

73 Hektor

90 Summicron (Type 1 Screw Mount 'SOOZI')

90 Summicron (Type 1 Screw Mount 'SOOZI')

Also depends on how much you want to spend -- a 73 Hektor will run about $600-$800, while a screw mount SOOZI is $2K+.

Vince - what body were these shots taken with ? Did you focus using the integral RF or use a Viso ?

Thanks...

Frank

 

[johannielscom]

Vince, I get really excited over those Hektor shots, every time I see them!

The cat shot seems almost surreal, as if both foreground and background are out of sync. The OOF areas on that lens have a very specific look to them.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Vince - what body were these shots taken with ? Did you focus using the integral RF or use a Viso ?

Thanks...

Frank

The ol' M9!

 

[Vince Lupo]

Vince, I get really excited over those Hektor shots, every time I see them!

The cat shot seems almost surreal, as if both foreground and background are out of sync. The OOF areas on that lens have a very specific look to them.

That's why I think that the 73 Hektor would be the one to get. I think the only other lens that comes close would be the Thambar, but that's really expensive! The 90mm SOOZI gives you that tack-sharp image, but completely throws out the background, and here again, is really expensive.

Keep an eye on LeicaShop's website, MW Classic, or even Koh's camera. Sometimes they come up with the 73's and aren't too outrageously priced. In particular, LeicaShop regularly gets the good stuff, and their prices are really pretty fair, and they'll bargain with you a bit too. If I come across one in my online travels, I'll let you know.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Another guy you could try would be my good friend Sam Shoshan ( www.classicconnection.com ). I didn't see one on his site, but you could certainly ask him to keep an eye out for one. He's a good guy.