Leica question...answered.

[remrf]

I posted a thread yesterday voicing my concern over the condition of the front lens of a Summar 50mm f-2 col. that I had recently purchased. I shot some film today and had it processed and I was surprised to see how little difference(if any) the "cleaning marks" seem to make in terms of lens sharpness.

But...

It does raise a few other questions.

1. The lens has the older Euro f-stops ( F-2, 2.2, 3.2, 4.5,6.3,9,12.5). I remember getting an old Kodak lens for my view camera and although the f-stop numbers were the same it was an older system and was one stop off above f-16 as compared to modern f-stop ratings. Is this true of the older Leica f-stop settings as well? Or do the numbers represent the same rating system using slightly differing set values?

2.I'm shooting Kodak asa 400 C-41 B&W film. The film seems to have a very narrow range to it and blows out easily on highlights. I shot some flash shots with the IIIa and an Industar 61 last week using a soft box on a Bogen 400ws mono light. I metered the shots with a digital meter ( Luna pro). And those too were blown out on the highlights, very narrow midrange. The same seems to happen when I shot ambient daylight using the same meter.

3. What is the thread size on the front of the Leica Summar 50mm f-2 col.? I want to get a filter on the front of this lens as soon as possible.

Thanks again for all those who responded to my query yesterday and thanks in advance for today.

 

[richard_l]

.....I'm shooting Kodak asa 400 C-41 B&W film. The film seems to have a very narrow range to it and blows out easily on highlights. I shot some flash shots with the IIIa and an Industar 61 last week using a soft box on a Bogen 400ws mono light. I metered the shots with a digital meter ( Luna pro). And those too were blown out on the highlights, very narrow midrange. The same seems to happen when I shot ambient daylight using the same meter.

Something's obviously wrong. That film has a very wide latitude for overexposure.

 

[ray_g]

1. You may find some useful information and links onTHIS recent thread.

2. Sorry, I have no experience with that film

3. A36 filter

 

[Nikon Bob]

Yes it is very strange behavior with the Kodak B&W C41 film. I use this quite abit and rate it at 200 and process as normal. I do not tell the 1hr mini lab anything and everything seems fine. If I use a yellow filter I rate it at 100. There are some shots in my gallery taken with this film if that is any help.

Bob