Skyllaney 50mm f2 Bertele

[Larry Cloetta]

I do find it a very interesting lens, and as the esteemed BSweeny has stated what this lens copies is one of the more difficult lenses to find in a clean and useful mount. ......

That’s probably true as stated, but the thing to note is that he said difficult to find in a clean and useful mount. It’s the word “useful” that matters here, and I am assuming that he means an M mount or ltm mount, of which there were never very many, which would make clean copies hard to find.
There is certainly mo problem finding clean copies in Contax rf mount with no visible scratches, or cleaning marks, at least I never had any problems finding them, and they are cheap as chips. Get someone good to do a CLA on one and you are good to go for probably a lot less than this copy will end up costing. True, you’d still be using a Contax body, which many don’t like, or using an adapter.
Side by side testing of the remake vs what’s likely to be a much cheaper original will be interesting. My guess is that they are going to have to shoot both of them into the sun, without a hood, for there to be a significant difference. Just conjecture at this point, based on my experience with clean originals, and no experience with the remake.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

A not so subtle attempt.
It’s the kind of thing you see coming from companies who are a still a mite insecure. World beaters don’t have the need to use that kind of marketing, they succeed on the merits of their own products, and I hope that ends up being the case here, eventually.

It was unnecessary and put me right off. As did the poor spelling - precision engineering is all about micro attention to detail.

 

[Beemermark]

It was unnecessary and put me right off. As did the poor spelling - precision engineering is all about micro attention to detail.

As an long time engineer for numerous companies, I can assure you there is no cross communication between the engineering, sales and marketing departments.

Besides I've known a great number of good engineers that couldn't even spell enkiner

 

[jonmanjiro]

Interesting concept. Can never have too many lens options!

Has anyone heard of these guys before? There's some testimonials on the website for CLA work, but the contact details are just a gmail address and a mobile phone number. Unless I missed it, I didn't notice a workshop address.

 

[aizan]

The website doesn’t inspire confidence. Cross your fingers that it isn’t vaporware!

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

As an long time engineer for numerous companies, I can assure you there is no cross communication between the engineering, sales and marketing departments.

Besides I've known a great number of good engineers that couldn't even spell enkiner

Fair enough!

 

[Huss]

I miss the Konost...

 

[astrobuoy]

It does fill a niche. I can't think of another compact 50mm sonnar with modern coatings

40mm isn't 50mm I realize, but the Rollei LTM 40mm f/2.8 Sonnar had the modern HFT coatings (I think equivalent to Zeiss's *T coatings). Wonderful lens, and super compact!

 

[Alberti]

It is interesting.
The Russians at LOMO have made a modern re-make of the 1.5 Sonnar, but it seems it dropped out of production after the first run. Were there a lot of quality (focussing) issues?
I have had my doubts what the New Jupiter 3+ Art Lens lens really was: was it a remake including the original FSU register distance and helicoid thread or not, and now complying to the 51.6mm reference? Although they included a LTM--> M-mount adapter, they did not say the LTM would not work on the Zorki, to give an indication.

And I agree with Beemermark - probably the engineering dept that did their best never talked to the fancy guys & gals at marketing, fully focussed on "modern" sloppy and 'arty' pictures, out of focus, lots of movement, over-saturated or very soft grainy colors . .​

I have the F2- Nikor-HC, very heavy but at least mine has focus tracking to 70 cm, and does allow 50cm close-ups with life-view.
But I liked the modern look FSU's even more, the black ones from after 1975, they have better bokeh and sharpness (but in their housing with wrong register no match to the Leica-M).
So yes, for $ 100 I think I will try their F2 in calibrated M-mount version, about the price I saw on eBay. And wait for a good F1.5 Sonnar rebuild.

 

[Orthogonal]

I miss the Konost...

Believe it or not it's still in the works, if you take a look at the 35mmc instagram feed it seems Hamish McGill is testing a working prototype. Looks like it'll be an interesting camera, though rumor is that the price is going to be 3500 USD so already deep into used Leica M territory.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Believe it or not it's still in the works, if you take a look at the 35mmc instagram feed it seems Hamish McGill is testing a working prototype. Looks like it'll be an interesting camera, though rumor is that the price is going to be 3500 USD so already deep into used Leica M territory.

Pixii and Konost are the same thing? I didn’t know that...

 

[Charlie Lemay]

Jupiter 3+

Jupiter 3+

I’ve had a Jupiter 3+ and used it on an M2 and M10 without issue. It’s a stunning lens.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

A follow up interview with the founder on 35MMC, a much more comprehensive and interesting discussion.

Bringing a new M Mount

 

[aizan]

Ok, this is more reassuring! The hype frenzy should start right about now.

 

[p.giannakis]

I have exchanged a few emails with Christopher from Skyllaney regarding an old Jupiter-8 i have. Converting it to Leica LTM standard is a £80 job. Add a full service if you want and it is a total of £140.
They do extras like change the colour of the nymbers for £15 or add a focus tab for £89.

All work would be turned around in about 8-10 weeks from time of its arrival, probably sooner.

He sent me some pictures of the work he has done.