tszhon
Jack Kwong
Yes, it is an overpriced pretty lens.
leicashot
Well-known
Not asking because I'm being defensive cause I just bought one, but in what way is it overpriced?
$699, made in nickel and limited to 600. I don't understand.
StaaleS
Established
Compared to what other stuff you dangle off the front of a Leica costs, I find that an unfathomable comment...
Actually, in the RF world, it is one of the better deals. Just because it is a Voigtlander doesn't mean it should be $300.
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I put my money where my mouth is and ordered the 50mm 3.5 model today.
Your turn DN... 
leicashot
Well-known
Well I saw this coming, looking forward to seeing the pics!
leicashot
Well-known
These old school lenses will always be around but these limited Nickels may not be so easy to find.....at least thats what I told myself when deciding the same thing as you DN
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
At one time I had a Version 3 Elmar with my pair of Nickel Heliars. Sold the Elmar, and kept the Nickel Heliars along with my 50 Rigid version 1.
IMHO CV did a great job of mixing the old and the new. The Heliars have signature and character. Only moderate contrast when compared to a Zeiss. I find the rendering very detailed for the B&W work I do.
Easy to bring the pair to the July meet-up this Sunday at Puck Fair.
Cal
Well, let's turn this thread into a photo thread. I'll try to post something soon... though I don't really work that way (I like to edit over a long period of time). However, since there is no real indication as to what these lenses offer, I think I will post quicker once I make some good photos with it.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The Heliars are modified Tessars and I included my experiance with the Elmar V.3 because its also a Tessar design. Tom Abramson's review of his favorite Elmar made me want to try the latest Elmar for its sharpness and contrast (multicoated). I liked the Elmar very much, but I liked the Heliars more.
I'll bring my pair to the NYC Meet-Up this Sunday.
Cal
leicashot
Well-known
Man all the action happens in NY. Gotta make the trip east some time
If you ever do come to NYC, and you have free time, try to let us know and we'll schedule a meet-up around it.
leicashot
Well-known
That would be great, will try
D&A
Well-known
Kristian, let me know if you head out east...we can meet up, especially if NYC,(my old hometown), or Wash D.C.
Dave (D&A)
Dave (D&A)
leicashot
Well-known
Gonna try guys but this week I'll be in on assignment in Malaysia back on the 27th. Next time i'm really gonna try
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Generally just give us a heads up and we schedule a meet-up that's convenient for you. We get guests and visitors from all over the world.
Cal
Better do it soon before Cameraquest ups the prices based on this thread.
I noticed that when I ordered, they had just added shipping costs to the ebay auction... prior to that, it was free. 
haempe
Well-known
I don't think that's correct. Both are further developments of the cooke-triplet. The Heliar design was patented 1900, the Tessar 1902.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
You are correct. Both the Heliar and the Tessar are both derived from the 1893 Cooke-triplet.
A Heliar is symmetrical and the five elements are maintained in a group of three where the front and rear lenses are both comprised of two elements to be more or less a modified triplet.
A Tessar is not symmetrical and is made of 4 elements in 3 groups, but there is enough overlap here to say that a Tessar and a Heliar are kinda similar, but my saying a Heliar is a Tessar derivitive is mistaken and an exaggeration.
Thanks for the correction.
Cal
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