HCB's 35mm lens, who got it?

[johannielscom]

Look at lot nr. 53 on this list of Westlicht auctions, which closed last night:


http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=4


So, who got it? 😀

 

[LChanyungco]

What a special object 🙂

 

[xayraa33]

Canada goodness lens. 🙂

 

[Avotius]

Holy crrrraaap. I wonder which photos got shot with that?

 

[megido]

Interesting to see that tab modification.

 

[Archlich]

Well he didn't have much choice back then.

 

[jsrockit]

Well he didn't have much choice back then.

In regard to what?

"Summicron 2/35mm black paint 'Cartier-Bresson' *
Unique lens used by Henri Cartier-Bresson with his black paint IIIg camera: the black paint 8-element lens (with very clean optics) was transformed from the original M-mount lens (0.7m, red plastic dot) on special order by removing the bayonet ring. Also the focus-tab was modified by removing the infinity lock and an extended lever was built-in. The lens has the same index dots made with nail gloss as the famous 2/5cm black paint collapsible Summicron used by HCB. It comes with both caps and a confirmation of authenticity by Lars Netopil from April 2015."

 

[brennanphotoguy]

That would look awesome on my IIIg. Too bad I missed out.

 

[telenous]

The s/n indicates a production year c. 1959. If you wanted a 35mm for your Leica the choice was between a Summaron 35/3.5, a Summaron 35/2.8 and a Summicron 35/2. (The Summilux 35/1.4 was not to be available for another two years.) It's interesting that HCB opted for the faster lens and not the better performing one (which at the time was the 35/2.8).

.

 

[brennanphotoguy]

I'm sure people weren't pixel peeping at MTF charts then.

 

[telenous]

That would be hard, what with not having home computers and all that.

 

[analoged]

But weren't most V1 Summicrons convertibles? At least in the range of serial numbers for this particular lens.

 

[Archiver]

Holy heck. Just say that you bought this lens. Something with such a storied and rich provenance, and high monetary/collectible value. Would you use it, or store it?

 

[Dan Daniel]

Hate to be a killjoy, but weren't most of HCB's iconic images created in the 30s and 40s? Some into the 50s. 'The Decisive Moment came out in 1952.

 

[Archiver]

Hate to be a killjoy, but weren't most of HCB's iconic images created in the 30s and 40s? Some into the 50s. 'The Decisive Moment came out in 1952.

Shhhhh, don't spoil the dream. 🙂

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Now that would make a special edition worth buying never mind Lenny Kravitz.

BTW for a 50mm only shooter it looks well used !!

 

[Erik van Straten]

Hate to be a killjoy, but weren't most of HCB's iconic images created in the 30s and 40s? Some into the 50s. 'The Decisive Moment came out in 1952.

In 1968 he made a book "Vive la France" and in 1972 "A propos de l'URRS", both volumes filled with great new work.

Erik.

 

[telenous]

Hate to be a killjoy, but weren't most of HCB's iconic images created in the 30s and 40s? Some into the 50s. 'The Decisive Moment came out in 1952.

That would be true. It doesn't mean, however, the work after that period is worthless. To the contrary.

.

 

[Richard G]

Speaking of Lenny Kravitz, this Summicron is very evenly worn and not very heavily, suggesting HC-B looked after his gear.