Leica LTM HU: Steinheil Culminar 85/f2.8

[rxmd]

Hi,

290087165676 on the auction site has a Steinheil Culminar 85/f2.8 in Leica screw mount, comes with Leica front and rear caps. Ends tomorrow, currently at 9,50 EUR.

No connection to seller as usual.

EDIT: The seller says the mount is M39 for Braun cameras, hence not compatible with Leicas.

Philipp

 

[laptoprob]

Beware, the seller has confirmed me this is NOT a leica-compatible lens.

 

[rxmd]

OK, I've just asked him for confirmation what lens mount the camera is for. Thanks for the warning.

 

[rbeverag]

Too bad, I have one of these and it's a nice piece of glass. Of course, if it were LTM compatible, it wouldn't be at that price either.

Roger B

 

[Keith]

I have one of these in Leica screwmount ... it came with a beater IIIf I bought a while ago that had a lot of things in the box that the seller hadn't mentioned ... this was one of them!

It's in fair condition but I've never used it ... how do they rate as a lens?

Keith

 

[erikhaugsby]

so, what mount is it in? M42?

 

[OldNick]

I have one of these in Leica screwmount ...

It's in fair condition but I've never used it ... how do they rate as a lens?

Keith

I have a couple of them, one in LTM and one in Exacta mount. The links below are to images in my RFF gallery of photos made with these lenses. You can't beat them at the price they normally bring.

www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=20888&ppuser=2111

www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=20889&ppuser=2111

www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=20890&ppuser=2111

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=21027&ppuser=2111

Jim N.

 

[Otter]

I've used a Culminar 85/2.8 for a couple of years with my BessaT . It is reasonably sharp considering its vintage and gives fine tonal rendition. It also balances very nicely with this camera and is probably my most pleasant lens to use.
Otter

 

[BillBingham2]

Also make sure it is RF coupled! There are lots of M39 or LTM lens out there without RF coupling.

I got one of these babies, only to find it was not LTM and flipped it to the second place bidder. I lost shipping and about $2.

A good oops all in all.

B2 (;->

 

[Keith]

I screwed the steinhil on my Fed 2 before and it feels very balanced on that camera .... might have to give it a try I think!

 

[zuikologist]

The seller mentions M39, so presumably it is an SLR lens for the old Zenit cameras.

 

[rxmd]

No, there's a lot of different M39 mounts out there.

The seller just told me it's for a Braun camera, that would probably a Paxette. They had M39 too, but with a different lens register. So that's that. (Interesting cameras BTW.)

 

[zuikologist]

I think there was a Braun for sale on the classifieds recently. It did look interesting.

 

[rxmd]

Here's a couple of Braun Paxette pages:

http://www.corff.de/Paxette/Paxette.html (German, the "schoolteacher's Leica")
http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/braun1.htm

Nice and compact-looking IMHO. Central shutter, probably reasonably quiet. Lenses down to f/2.0. The rangefinder appears to be coupled only on some models,though.

Philipp

 

[payasam]

Keith, I've found my 85 Culminar to be reasonably sharp and, if I might put it politely, not unduly contrasty. A handy lens for portraits and general use.

 

[Sean Moran]

Culminar 85

Culminar 85

I've just bought a Culminar 85 2.8 on a trip to Manchester England. On full aperture it's great for B&W portraits. I even used it at a rock gig and surprisingly found no problems with flare from the spotlights at 2.8.

I'm sure any NW England members know of the Real Camera Company at 7 Dale Street / Lever Street. The owner - Jem Kime - knows his Leicas and the place is crammed with droolable vintage gear. Not that I did (drool on them that is).

Best,

Sean.

 

[payasam]

If you drool on your Culminar, Sean, do please tell me how it goes. I might try drooling on mine.