dfoo
Well-known
I'm interesting in getting an uncoated 50-90mm lens for use on a Leica M body. Any recommendations?
raid
Dad Photographer
Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm 1.5 LTM (modified by Brian Sweeney to LTM). It is the best out there.
johnastovall
Light Hunter - RIP 2010
Classic 50/3.5 uncoated Elmar.
M8 with IR cut filter mounted on SOOGZ.

M8 with IR cut filter mounted on SOOGZ.
Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm 1.5 LTM (modified by Brian Sweeney to LTM). It is the best out there.
I'm glad that Raid likes that Lens!
These are with a 1938 Sonnar 5cm F1.5, uncoated, with the Optics Module set in a J-3 mount.
~F2
Wide-Open
Uncoated ~1936 5cm f2 in a J-8 mount, wide-open.
And a 1933 5cm Summar, near perfect glass, wide-open at F2.

The Sonnars are sharper, but the Summar gives a dream-like quality when used wide-open. At F4, it is quite sharp.
For an uncoated 9cm lens, the 9cm F4 Elmar is THE lens to get.
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FrankS
Registered User
Brian, have you kept track of how many Sonnar LTM conversions you've done?
Yes- Eight 5cm Sonnars to LTM using a J-8 mount, and Eight 5cm F1.5 Sonnars to LTM using J-3 mounts. Not bad for a FORTRAN Programmer.
Here is a thread on the conversion on ziforums.com:
http://www.ziforums.com/showthread.php?t=93
I've also helped a few others through the process doing it themselves.
Here is a thread on the conversion on ziforums.com:
http://www.ziforums.com/showthread.php?t=93
I've also helped a few others through the process doing it themselves.
FrankS
Registered User
I'm one of the lucky ones. Thanks again, Brian!
This is with my 1936 Uncoated 5cm F1.5 Sonnar, in the J-3 mount. Wide-Open on the Canon P.
Right off the scanner, picked up the colors as on the negative. No Photoshop. A funny kind of red Sunset lighting coming in through the patio doors.
My Elmar 5cm F3.5 is coated. I do have a Varob 5cm F3.5, essentially an Elmar made for an enlarger. I will be converting it into S-Mount for the Nikon RF's. I like uncoated lenses. None available for the Nikon.
Right off the scanner, picked up the colors as on the negative. No Photoshop. A funny kind of red Sunset lighting coming in through the patio doors.
My Elmar 5cm F3.5 is coated. I do have a Varob 5cm F3.5, essentially an Elmar made for an enlarger. I will be converting it into S-Mount for the Nikon RF's. I like uncoated lenses. None available for the Nikon.
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dfoo
Well-known
Love the colors in the earlier set Brian.
FrankS
Registered User
The last one looks like an old autochrome. Really great vintage looking.
Thankyou. Using a hood is a must for the uncoated lenses, but I find a clean one with good glass does not flare from stong backlighting. The colors are very smooth. It's almost like having Kodachrome 10 loaded in the camera.
The 9cm F4 uncoated Elmar is inexpensive- and a must lens for these colors as well. I need to use mine more often.
The 9cm F4 uncoated Elmar is inexpensive- and a must lens for these colors as well. I need to use mine more often.
raid
Dad Photographer
Hi Brian,
You bet that I am happy with your modified lenses. They are truly excellent for someone who likes to take photos. The exterior of a J-3 or a J-8 are not superb, but when taking photos, it is the optics that do the work.
You bet that I am happy with your modified lenses. They are truly excellent for someone who likes to take photos. The exterior of a J-3 or a J-8 are not superb, but when taking photos, it is the optics that do the work.
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