wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
That is so cool to me 😀 If I didn't have the '37 Sonnar and that Exacta Tessar ... 🤣
Uncommon, Rare, and Collector's Delights.
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peterm1
Veteran
I have been lusting after a Steinheil Quinon 50mm f1.9 in Exacta mount (which seems to be the most common variant though I am agnostic as to mount as I would use it adapted for mirrorless) for a while now, but when they come up their pricing seems to be similar to the one posted above. I have a Steinheil Quinaron 35mm f2.8 which I like - which is why I got interested in them. I have not researched the optical designs but imagine the Exacta SLR one with f1.9 maximum aperture would be the same as the Leica mount one given Steinheil's naming conventions.
In any event it looks like a very nice performer. See this link.
hilltime
Well-known
I also have the M39 mount version of this lens, I believe designed for Paxette. I have never used it but always thought about one day trying to have it converted to LTM. I would assume the same optical formula but just a different mount?
TenEleven
Well-known
The 1.9 Quinon is a standard double gauss formula as one would expect for a lens that has to have enough back focus to clear a swinging mirror. From what I have seen it's a very capable performer.I have been lusting after a Steinheil Quinon 50mm f1.9 in Exacta mount (which seems to be the most common variant though I am agnostic as to mount as I would use it adapted for mirrorless) for a while now, but when they come up their pricing seems to be similar to the one posted above. I have a Steinheil Quinaron 35mm f2.8 which I like - which is why I got interested in them. I have not researched the optical designs but imagine the Exacta SLR one with f1.9 maximum aperture would be the same as the Leica mount one given Steinheil's naming conventions.
In any event it looks like a very nice performer. See this link.
Even more puzzlingly, the Paxette version is also a double gauss lens. You can in fact see this for yourself in the pictures linked above. If you look at the out-of-focus highlights you can see the typical "cats eye" pattern that you get with double gauss lenses. (Sonnar lenses produce more of a rounded half-moon shape that is also not closed but open.)
Here's a Japanese repairer corroborating this: (In Japanese but google translate works, they are very reliable for this kind of info.)
◎ Steinheil München (シュタインハイル･ミュンヘン) Quinon 50mm/f2《Paxette版》（M39）
（以下掲載の写真はクリックすると拡大写真をご覧頂けます） 写真を閉じる際は、写真の外 (グレー部分) をクリックすれば閉じます ※解説とオーバーホール工程で使っている写真は現在ヤフオク! 出品中商品の
pakira3.sakura.ne.jp
Sadly Steinheil chose to call a bunch of lenses (there's also a 55/1.9 macro afaik) "Quinon" and it has caused all sorts of confusions.
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hilltime
Well-known
Wow.... how totally interesting. Never would have suspected the difference.The 1.9 Quinon is a standard double gauss formula as one would expect for a lens that has to have enough back focus to clear a swinging mirror. From what I have seen it's a very capable performer.
Even more puzzlingly, the Paxette version is also a double gauss lens. You can in fact see this for yourself in the pictures linked above. If you look at the out-of-focus highlights you can see the typical "cats eye" pattern that you get with double gauss lenses. (Sonnar lenses produce more of a rounded half-moon shape that is also not closed but open.)
Here's a Japanese repairer corroborating this: (In Japanese but google translate works, they are very reliable for this kind of info.)
◎ Steinheil München (シュタインハイル･ミュンヘン) Quinon 50mm/f2《Paxette版》（M39）
（以下掲載の写真はクリックすると拡大写真をご覧頂けます） 写真を閉じる際は、写真の外 (グレー部分) をクリックすれば閉じます ※解説とオーバーホール工程で使っている写真は現在ヤフオク! 出品中商品のpakira3.sakura.ne.jp
Sadly Steinheil chose to call a bunch of lenses (there's also a 55/1.9 macro afaik) "Quinon" and it has caused all sorts of confusions.
hilltime
Well-known
I also have a beautiful 55/1.9 "Quinon" in a Praktina Mt. I also learned it's design in a double gauss formula was not intended to be as "sharp", as a for instance, a Schneider Xenon, CZJ Flexon or later Pancolor. It's pleasing effect was more of a well rounded image but balanced. Being a novice in reading about lens design, it is truly amazing the "esoterica" some can deliver on optical performance, but I guess that is the beauty of different designs and formulas. Who are the optical design giants of today.... got to be AI.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Since last week, I'm part of the Ektra-crowd!
1941 sample with 1940 Ektar 50/1.9.
Appears to have new shutter curtains. And it works!
Testing it with some Kentmere 100 at the moment.
Kai-san
Filmwaster
You will need an M39 extension ring to put an M39 Paxette lens on an LTM mount camera. Since there's no rangefinder coupling you will have to use zone focus or an external rangefinder to set the distance manually. I bought an extension ring off ebay, and it works fine. I believe the extension is 15.2mm, but better check it if you plan to make your own.
boojum
Ignoble Miscreant
That looks like Grandpa's. I thought the name was Ektar but I see it was Ektra. And I guess the 47mm did not come on it, or did it?
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Kodak made 6 lenses for the Ektra, all "Ektar"-quality lenses. A 35mm, 2x 50mm, 90, 135 and a 153mm. Though a couple of others had been planned but were never made (85mm and 254mm IIRC). The 47mm f/2 Ektar was mounted on some Kodak Retinas, the Kodak Bantam Special and the Premier Instruments' Kardon camera as far as I know.
boojum
Ignoble Miscreant
It is, of course, the Kardon one that would pique my interest. But after I lie down and calm down I realize that I have a lot of nice 50's already. I need to get out more and use the gear rather than buy more. And I am fine with the retro lenses I already have, but . . . ;o)
Out to Lunch
Ventor
My M7 a la carte (10 560), is celebrating its 20th birth year -of a batch of 1,000:
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
I've shot 2 rolls with my Kardon + Ektar since June. It's alright, though a little prone to over-exposure in the center of the image from stray light. It definitely needs a hood.
The lens separately sells for almost as much as the lens+body combo. 😳
boojum
Ignoble Miscreant
I've shot 2 rolls with my Kardon + Ektar since June. It's alright, though a little prone to over-exposure in the center of the image from stray light. It definitely needs a hood.
The lens separately sells for almost as much as the lens+body combo. 😳
The lens is tempting, lenses always are. But I do not need a film body. I left film 25 years ago. That does look like a nice combo and the Kardon is an interesting camera. From what I read it is mechanically better than Leica.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
It feels like it is the best version of the Leica IIIa I've ever handled. Peter Kardon reverse-engineered it to much tighter tolerances than Leica ever did. Of course the US government left the Premium Instruments Corp. hanging .....twice.
boojum
Ignoble Miscreant
It is a very interesting camera. A startup that got horsed around by suppliers, other businesses and the government came up with their version of Leica that was better than the actual Leica. I'd say that was pretty impressive. The government backed away because the war was over and the need had evaporated. They did not want a warehouse full of unused cameras. I do not know the details of the contracts so I cannot make any real valid comment on the right or wrong of the deal.
It would be fun to have. But I am not masochistic enough to get involved with film again in any form or fashion. It is just too difficult and demanding. That does not diminish the interest of the camera. But paying US$1,000+ for a paperweight is not for me.
This link is killing me: Leica Camera Copy Kardon 415 Civilian Model w/ Case & Instructions | Very Rare | eBay
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Yikes, that's asking quite a bit for civilian version, with a "I have not tested it" for good measure. 🙄
Same as the Ebay seller that was asking 6000 for a Simmon Brothers Combat Camera recently....that's more than 10x of what I paid for mine.
Another uncommon one from the collection (that deserves a better glamour photo):
Kodak Suprema (1800 units)
boojum
Ignoble Miscreant
Yikes, that's asking quite a bit for civilian version, with a "I have not tested it" for good measure. 🙄
Same as the Ebay seller that was asking 6000 for a Simmon Brothers Combat Camera recently....that's more than 10x of what I paid for mine.
Another uncommon one from the collection (that deserves a better glamour photo):
Kodak Suprema (1800 units)
You have some collection. I am always keen on Kodak from the family connection with Rochester.
About the Kardon, "Seller accepts no returns" which to me means the damned thing is a pretty dog. Guaranteed to be a heart breaker. As I have said other places, I shop for a long time on eBay. That Amotal took three or four months before I felt I had found the one I wanted. Haste is unwise on eBay. And read the write-up, all of it, two or thee times.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
The Suprema came from the same collector/dealer as this Bolsey B "PH-324A", that replaced the Kodak 35 "PH-324" in use by the US army in the late 1940s.
Again, it deserves a better glamour shot.....
Again, it deserves a better glamour shot.....
boojum
Ignoble Miscreant
The Suprema came from the same collector/dealer as this Bolsey B "PH-324A", that replaced the Kodak 35 "PH-324" in use by the US army in the late 1940s.
Again, it deserves a better glamour shot.....
I remember civilian Bolseys. They were around when I had the Vito II. That was a long time ago.