kram
Well-known
Hi, Are the lens in both of the above ; TC-1 camera, and LTM lens for Leica EXACTLY THE Same optical construction, or is there a slight difference. I know the camera can focus to 45cm, while the lens ltm focuses to 70-85cm. Also the Tc-1 has 4 round aperature stops (down to f16), while the lens goes down to f22. Many thanks
NeonKnight
Established
The TC-1's lens is spectacular and the LTM version of it was made in celebration of its high performance so I doubt the designers would deviate unnecessarily from the original's design.
WJJ3
Well-known
Interesting. TC-1s are widely available in Japan on the used market for a reasonable (≈¥50,000) Price. I wonder why so many people sell these cameras...
cpc
Established
daveleo
what?
I don't know the answer to the OP question, but .... Looking at the LTM lens and the Minolta TC-1 on Ebay, I cannot imagine the lenses are the same. They are very different size.
Must be different optics.
Correct??
The lens looks beautiful, and it is over $1000USD typically.
Must be different optics.
Correct??
The lens looks beautiful, and it is over $1000USD typically.
cpc
Established
The barrel is bigger, but the actual glass seems small. At least the front element is small enogh, similar to the TC-1 lens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHrrtul67ZQ
also here, the lens next to a TC-1:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/panterry/7007570303/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHrrtul67ZQ
also here, the lens next to a TC-1:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/panterry/7007570303/
Archlich
Well-known
After selling the TC-1 twice, I bought a G-Rokkor just to enjoy its signature as long as I could.
It's well built, has half click stops from f/3.5 to f/22 (you have access to f/11 now, a handy change), focuses down to 0.8m (which is also the minimum coupling distance of the CLE, may not be a coicidence).
Aperture is not circular, but it's close enough. The tiny front element is deeply recessed into the lens barrel (eliminating the need for the included hood), and the rear protrudes quite a bit - surely looks like something originally designed to be buried into a camera body.
Definitely the same 5/5 aspherical formula and I found no difference in image quality. Pixel-peeping on a NEX shows it to be even sharper than a 28 Elmarit ASPH at image center, but is less even across the field.
It's well built, has half click stops from f/3.5 to f/22 (you have access to f/11 now, a handy change), focuses down to 0.8m (which is also the minimum coupling distance of the CLE, may not be a coicidence).
Aperture is not circular, but it's close enough. The tiny front element is deeply recessed into the lens barrel (eliminating the need for the included hood), and the rear protrudes quite a bit - surely looks like something originally designed to be buried into a camera body.
Definitely the same 5/5 aspherical formula and I found no difference in image quality. Pixel-peeping on a NEX shows it to be even sharper than a 28 Elmarit ASPH at image center, but is less even across the field.
kram
Well-known
Archlich, Thanks for the info. I think I would use the lens more in a compact than on my rangefinder. Also the TC-1 can be had for half the price. have just ordered one. Hope it is a good one. Will be interesting to see how much I will miss the f4, f11 and f22 setting. Doubt if I will really miss the f22. Is there any REAL differenc ein the bokeh in the LTM lens vs the TC-1 at wider apertures? i know Zeiss have produced some work showning is makes a slight difference, but really it would be the optical formula of the lens that would have the biggest influence methinks.
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Archlich
Well-known
To be honest I had not (deliberately) compared bokeh - the LTM focuses down only to 0.8m, as you have mentioned, plus that I usually hyperfocus it at f/8 for street works. The heavy vignetting and color reproduction are exactly the same - the lens was made into LTM because Minolta was so proud of it, and I see no reason they would alter the design.
The TC-1 itself is a beautiful piece of engineering, so well thought-out that I personally believe anyone should at least hold it once to behold the pinnacle of 35mm P&S design. You surely will enjoy it.
The TC-1 itself is a beautiful piece of engineering, so well thought-out that I personally believe anyone should at least hold it once to behold the pinnacle of 35mm P&S design. You surely will enjoy it.