Leica LTM Leitz Thambar (going, going)

[Jack Conrad]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/172293803481?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I've been following this auction because I have one of these lenses and wanted to find out what they might go for these days.

Here's a photo of the one I have and a snap shot I took with it in the yard. Kinda crazy. Not sure what to think of it.

I thought you folks might like to watch the bidding as well.


Leitz Thambar 9cm f2.2 by jackcb, on Flickr


Leitz Thambar 9cm f2.2 by jackcb, on Flickr

 

[xayraa33]

What a beautiful lens!
With lovely photo results.

I wish that some some optical firm would reproduce this lens.

 

[Gregm61]

Those out of focus rings remind me of shooting with a CAT lens. Minolta made a soft focus portrait lens in the MD line of manual focus system that looked to perform similarly. I think it was something like an 85mm f2.2.

That's a beautiful outfit you have there. About as good as any I have seen. Tamarkin has one similar with all the same accessories and they want $4,150 for it, and a second with just the soft focus spot filter, no hood or caps, for $3,850..

http://www.tamarkin.com/collectibles

 

[Kent]

Those highlight bokeh rings only occur if you use the centre filter with the Thambar.

 

[Jack Conrad]

Thanks. The one up for auction is missing both the stop filter and the front cover. Pretty much impossible to find those in order to make a complete set.

 

[Gregm61]

Those highlight bokeh rings only occur if you use the centre filter with the Thambar.

Makes sense. CAT lenses have a similar circular structure in the middle of the optical path by design that you can't remove.

 

[Jack Conrad]

Holy Cow! The auction has it up over $3200 with 2 hours to go.

 

[Gregm61]

I would imagine $3.5K to $4K is a distinct possibility.

I would rather have yours, LOL...

 

[someonenameddavid]

I managed to make a stop filter with a regular filter, a button battery and some super glue. I put it on a cheap soft ish old zoom lens et voila me amis, I saved €4000 on a Thambar

 

[Jack Conrad]

If I get another pet, I'm gonna name it Thambar.

 

[Jack Conrad]

If or when I decide to sell the Thambar, I think I might trade my old gear for something a bit more contemporary.


Leitz Thambar 9cm 2.2 by jackcb, on Flickr

 

[Dralowid]

Roger Hicks wrote an interesting review of the Thambar. I can't find it now...

 

[YouAreHere]

Roger Hicks wrote an interesting review of the Thambar. I can't find it now...

The seller copied it into the ebay listing I think...

 

[xayraa33]

The Thambar was another great design lens by Max Berek.

 

[Jack Conrad]

The Thambar was another great design lens by Max Berek.

Hey thanks. Didn't know that.
Here's an "Interview With Max Berek."

http://gmpphoto.blogspot.com/2015/04/an-interview-with-max-berek.html

 

[Jack Conrad]

A couple more shots of the Thambar.


Leitz Thambar 9cm f2.2 by jackcb, on Flickr


Leitz Thambar 9cm f2.2 by jackcb, on Flickr

By the way, the lens fits nicely in a Pentax Super-Tak 135/3.5 case...
in the background.

 

[sepiareverb]

Here's an "Interview With Max Berek."

http://gmpphoto.blogspot.com/2015/04/an-interview-with-max-berek.html

Just printed that out to read this evening. Thanks.

 

[peterm1]

The Thambar has a reputation as one of those "special" lenses. In that it has a defined look that does not suit everyone or every photographic task. But boy is it beautiful when it does suit the task. Really wonderful moody images. Yes "special"

 

[Jack Conrad]

The Thambar has a reputation as one of those "special" lenses. In that it has a defined look that does not suit everyone or every photographic task. But boy is it beautiful when it does suit the task. Really wonderful moody images. Yes "special"

I bet you could really make this lens sing, considering how you tend to process your images with a sort of romantic soft/sharp glow.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

The look it creates certainly doesn't suit my style personally, but with only 3000 made it would certainly fit in my collection.

Saw one on offer at a UK dealer two weeks ago. It sold within the hour. Went for over well over 2000 GBP as I recall.