New LTM/Nikon S 50mm f1.3

[VinceC]

>>How can he even begin to recover his costs producing only 50 units? Maybe a rich man indulging himself?<<

If the design and glass already exist, mounting it into a Nikon-S mount costs almost nothing (there's no focusing mechanism, so you just need to machine the correct fittings). LTM isn't that much more complicated.

 

[yossarian]

>>How can he even begin to recover his costs producing only 50 units? Maybe a rich man indulging himself?<<

If the design and glass already exist, mounting it into a Nikon-S mount costs almost nothing (there's no focusing mechanism, so you just need to machine the correct fittings). LTM isn't that much more complicated.

In theory, perhaps. But if you don't want to wind up with a glorified coke bottle there
are a lot of variables to consider, including radii and curvature of each element, the
index of refraction of the glass, a mount properly devised to allow centration of all
elements (even if there are only five), and I still assert it isn't cost-effective for 50
pieces. Those MTF graphs are impressive--very low astigmatism, and suggest the lens is at minimum a capable performer.
I may never get the answer to my question, and it really isn't my problem, but I marvel that someone would undertake such a project in these times. All one has to
do is flip through the ads in one of the glorious Japanese photo magazines to see the
huge variety of items from small to large which can be bought there, but which will
never be seen in the states. I see straps, cases, soft releases of all types--almost anything you could imagine and much that you didn't. Meanwhile we are left at the
mercy of snot-nosed MBAs who believe if you can run one business, you can run them all. NO. Not photo. If you don't love it, you don't belong in it. And all the guys
I used to know who loved it have been forced into early retirement. All the new guys
want to know is how many blisterpacks they can fit on the racks at Mall Wart. It's gotta turn in 28 days ot there's something wrong with it.
I'll bet this guy could sell 200 of these lenses to members at this site in a heartbeat.
I'm being conservative at that number. Too bad we'll never know. The best we can
hope is that Kobayashi takes this as a personal affront and retaliates with a new
Nokton 50. I had already been thinking 1.3 would be a great idea. Let's see just
how smart he is.

Fred

 

[wlewisiii]

Maybe someone should ask Mr. Gandy if he can get ahold of any of the lenses for us?

William

 

[VinceC]

>>a lot of variables to consider, including radii and curvature of each element, the
index of refraction of the glass, a mount properly devised to allow centration of all
elements (even if there are only five)<<

That's very true. But if the lens as a whole is already being used for some other application, then these variables have all been solved and you're left with placing an existing lens group into a new kind of mount.

 

[yossarian]

Vince, while I appreciate your point, if it was an existing design that would still entail
paying royalties for its use. I studied the "Split Triplets" section of the book Modern
Lens Design, and while I've found vaguely similar designs among the old Ernostars,
not one is really close. This appears to be a new, from the ground up formulation,
which makes it that much more exciting. I haven't been able to find one other five
element f/1.3 lens which ever went into serial production. Has anyone else?

Fred

 

[jlw]

They do have some other interesting items as well, including a range of Leica eyepiece magnifiers and one I'll bet a lot of us could use, a "focus checker."

As near as I can tell, this is a device you can attach to the rear of an M-mount lens to verify that it focuses correctly, eliminating the question of whether a focus problem might be originating in the lens or the body.

The full translation from the Google beta:

We have become the necessities item of the speciality store and the Leica love house which handle the used camera. The lens installation mount is the M mount.
To attach the L-M ring, back focusing of the M * L both lens is possible.
To separate the checker, to apply to the rail of the camera rear section, focus check " of the camera and " only lens " camera " is possible.​

(Wouldn't you like to visit a "Leica love house"?)

Price of this gizmo is 35,000 yen, or about $300 US -- probably a worthwhile investment if you buy a lot of lenses!

As I continue to explore their site, I find more and more weird, wonderful things. Apparently one of their services is to offer the adaptation of various lenses to Leica and other mounts -- not just obvious ones, such as Canon 50/0.95 to Leica M (although they do that) but various noteworthy compact-camera and classic optics, such as the 40mm f/1.9 from the Canon AF35ML.

Or if you've ever wanted to use the 44mm f/3.5 Ektar that came on the Kodak Signet 35 camera, they can do it. This is quite a nice lens, by the way; as it says on the site, "the Kodak advanced lens... passes even special mention today. Also coloration is beautiful with complementary color coat."

Ah, if only I spoke Japanese, and could afford to go there occasionally...

 

[AlexC]

One option for ordering items from Japan is a buying service like www.pricejapan.com; they mainly deal in electronics, primarily projectors and other AV equipment (which is how I first heard about them), but will also buy and ship pretty much anything else from Japan.

I have an order in with them for a 1.35x viewfinder magnifier, which is made by the same company that is manufacturing the lens in this thread, and some other gear from MAP Camera in Tokyo. There is a 5% surcharge (with a minimum or 4000 JPY or ~USD $35) plus shipping.

The order is in progress, so no feedback yet, but I've heard good things from people on other non-photography forums.