Leica IIIc 135mm Lens Tests

[doubs43]

For this test I repeated the same set-up as I used for the Bessa-T with the following exceptions: the distance was about 8.5 feet and the film was Agfa APX-100 Pro. The same four lenses in 135mm focal length were used. It was a dark, cloudy day but quite still and I had to use 1/10th of a second for the f/8 shots.

The results this time were also a toss-up but now it's between the Canon and the Silver Hektor! The first four shots below are the Silver Hektor at f/4.5, the Canon at f/3.5 and then both at f/8. As before, an argument can be made that the Canon wins because it matches the Hektor while at a wider aperture.

Walker

 

[Nikon Bob]

You have been busy. I see that with the IIIc the focus is on. Looks to me like it is basically a draw between the two. They may not be getting better with age but they were pretty good to start with.

Bob

 

[doubs43]

You have been busy. I see that with the IIIc the focus is on. Looks to me like it is basically a draw between the two. They may not be getting better with age but they were pretty good to start with. Bob

Those two will definitely be OK on the IIIc. The Black Hektor and the Komura, OTOH, are both off enough to matter. They focus in front of the indicated coincidence of the rangefinder.

The Hektors and the Canon lens are quality-built for sure. The Komura has the heft and feel of a good-quality product but the reslts of my tests have been a disappointment so far. It's focus is off more than the others.

I'm going to repeat the same tests with my IIIf to see just which lens will work best on it. I also have an old Tower that still works and I may even try it.

Last Friday evening I spent working on an Exakta VX-IIa, regulating the mirror so that what I focus on in the finder is what the film records. With short lenses it was fine but with tele lenses up close, the film recorded sharpest focus beyond where I saw it. Not good when I was trying to get my dog's eyes sharp! 🙂

Walker