It's amazing how long these vintages lenses have lasted. What they must have been through all those years, and yet still take beautiful pics. Thanks Matt!
I have a Voitlander Avus 6.5X9 folding camera wich has some movements, in fact it is a mini 4X5 field camera. The 105mm Skopar lens on this camera is simply stunning for a 95 year old uncoated optic. There is magic to these old lenses and cameras that is totally missing from the modern computer designed optics, that are just too sharp when coupled to the modern high MP digital sensors. They are literally clinical and soulless.
.....and I just got myself the CZJ 5cm f3.5 tessar red T for the Kiev4A, thanks to your recommendation. I love how the kiev is such a workhorse with superb haptic handling. This lens would make it quite compact!
Nikon Rangefinders and lenses are even more fun ;) Most fun of all though? Have an optical engineer for a friend who can mod a Zeiss lens to Nikon standard AND own a Amedeo adaptor so you can use it for both film and digital as the whim hits you ... ;)
Great! Yes I use these Nikon lenses too. My favourite is the SC 50 1.4 RF lens. (Copy of Sonnar 50 15 formula but sharper) (see my Sonnar video or that specific video)
Thanks for this very interesting, informative video! Being obsessed with reds, I love the reds you are getting with this set up as well as with your later video regarding the Voigtlander 75mm 1.9 multi-coated vs. single-coated lenses. I guess one doesn't need a ccd sensor after all to get nice reds!
Thanks! These colours were just from adding my new Warsaw Colour preset to the RAW files. Gives nice pop to the photos. (Presets are probably inspired by film and previously owning the M9!)
I know you're a cyclist and have had issues with your 240 rangefinder going out. I am ride mostly mountain bikes and have carried my m10 with me on average 6k miles a year for the past few years. I have had no issues, I know Leica updated the rangefinder a bit with this model (takes a different tool to adjust). Maybe I have been lucky but I think reliability was improved and a good reason to upgrade (no issues with my m11 either yet, fingers crossed)
Hi thanks, that is interesting to hear and yes indeed a massive reason to upgrade! I’ll see if others chip in but 6k miles it can’t be all luck. I look at mine and it goes out of wack! :) I just leave it slightly out now, I gave up. Stop down or EVF (but mostly SL).
Thanks, good review, good explanation. Vintage lenses have a lot going for them. I hope you can get a Skyllaney Bertele to test soon. It is an interesting spin on the CZJ 5cm f/2.0 Sonnar.
Best camera porn channel ever, but with incredibly fine images of high quality models, and useful information about high end and budget kit. Nikon Z8 dropped. Why am I so much more interested in vintage film gear with cool names like Tessar and Planar?
The Contax Tessar seems to be a relatively rare and expensive collector's item. Chances are better to get a Sonnar f2 or even f1.5 at a reasonable price. I have the Zeiss West Sonnar 1.5 (for Contax IIa) which is, as you say, a phantastic lens. --- BTW, under normal conditions I have never managed to knock a Leica rangefinder _seriously_ out of alignment. Certainly, car vibration or bumping the bag around won't do it. So how do _you_ achieve that effect? ;-)
Thanks, apparently later post war ones are supposed to be less common. I bought a second just as was posting the video, black uncoated 2.8 to try out. My Leicas needing fixing once a year (m240) from frequent use but no bang as such. Some say M10/11 is better for this.
But why not take good old Zorki with a sonnar-clone Jupiter-3? Zorki can be CLAd with a hammer and a drop of sewing-machine oil, and Kiev's are much more high-tech and hard to repair with their metal shutters and rather complicated construction (we're talking cameras older than 50 years - those do need some service to work properly). Not even talking about dreaded Kiev/Contax-grip you need to use to properly focus them.
Oh come on Matt, all you need are two tiny screwdrivers in your kit to adjust the RF of a Barnack/Nicca or Canon. In fact your L3 with a collapsible Canon Serenar 5cm/3.5 is at least the equal of an Elmar or Tessar (on which it is based), has click stops and many take 34mm screw in filters like a 9 cm Elmar. No need to use that FSU junk....
Thanks. I have a soft spot for the FSU stuff. That's what some of my first cameras were and I used to work in Ukraine in the past. I like them. For my 5cm and 9cm Elmars I use the same push on filters and hood. I have a new fav lens for the L3 - the LLL 35/2 LTM (if you use Chinese lenses).
Don't know if you have checked price for the 5cm tessar lately. There is no way that one can get a working one for the price you stated--may twice or three times that price.
You can, 1) I shared a screenshot of them listed, 2) I bought a second copy just before posting the video for £125 (the black 2.8 uncoated version shown in the video. Found it by accident while getting photos for the video)
Is it just me or should all Leicas and their lenses be bomb-proof, considering the price? I know a lot of them are probably shelf queens - like Range Rivers bought for the weekly shopping trip.
I have the West German Tessar 1:3.5 50mm for my Contax IIIA , It is a very sharp and high contrast landscape lens . I use my West Tessar for infrared . I think this post war production is very good . But this lens is not cheap like the Jena T Tessar , see 2:22 , But I still want to own a Jena T Tessar for my Contax .
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom The best Sonnar 85mm is the Jena T Sonnar 85mm . Some Post war 50mm Jena T Sonnar are made from aluminium . But the Jena T Sonnar 50mm special made for the Contax IIIA IIA is made from chromed brass . I have a chromed brass Jena T 1:2 50mm and the West German 1:2 50mm . The West German Sonnar is very smooth and bling bling made . But that bling bling make it difficult in the sun to read the aperture scale . I'am not sure who is better , just don't worry be happy with both .
It's amazing how long these vintages lenses have lasted. What they must have been through all those years, and yet still take beautiful pics. Thanks Matt!
I have a Voitlander Avus 6.5X9 folding camera wich has some movements, in fact it is a mini 4X5 field camera. The 105mm Skopar lens on this camera is simply stunning for a 95 year old uncoated optic. There is magic to these old lenses and cameras that is totally missing from the modern computer designed optics, that are just too sharp when coupled to the modern high MP digital sensors. They are literally clinical and soulless.
Yes! Thanks Lucy
You folks and your modern equipment….
Under 100 is a baby in lens-speak.
beautiful lens and photos.
Thanks! I just got the 50/2 Sonnar from the same period. I'll make a video when I get time.
.....and I just got myself the CZJ 5cm f3.5 tessar red T for the Kiev4A, thanks to your recommendation. I love how the kiev is such a workhorse with superb haptic handling. This lens would make it quite compact!
Congrats! You'll love the size and weight!
Nikon Rangefinders and lenses are even more fun ;) Most fun of all though? Have an optical engineer for a friend who can mod a Zeiss lens to Nikon standard AND own a Amedeo adaptor so you can use it for both film and digital as the whim hits you ... ;)
Great! Yes I use these Nikon lenses too. My favourite is the SC 50 1.4 RF lens. (Copy of Sonnar 50 15 formula but sharper) (see my Sonnar video or that specific video)
Thanks for this very interesting, informative video! Being obsessed with reds, I love the reds you are getting with this set up as well as with your later video regarding the Voigtlander 75mm 1.9 multi-coated vs. single-coated lenses. I guess one doesn't need a ccd sensor after all to get nice reds!
Thanks! These colours were just from adding my new Warsaw Colour preset to the RAW files. Gives nice pop to the photos. (Presets are probably inspired by film and previously owning the M9!)
Hi, I have a Helios 103 coming, would this lens be better? My goal is walk around general shooting.
Thank you for your wonderful content.
The 103 is great fun. I have it. This Tessar is much smaller but not as fast.
I know you're a cyclist and have had issues with your 240 rangefinder going out. I am ride mostly mountain bikes and have carried my m10 with me on average 6k miles a year for the past few years. I have had no issues, I know Leica updated the rangefinder a bit with this model (takes a different tool to adjust). Maybe I have been lucky but I think reliability was improved and a good reason to upgrade (no issues with my m11 either yet, fingers crossed)
Hi thanks, that is interesting to hear and yes indeed a massive reason to upgrade! I’ll see if others chip in but 6k miles it can’t be all luck. I look at mine and it goes out of wack! :) I just leave it slightly out now, I gave up. Stop down or EVF (but mostly SL).
Great video Matt. What adaptor did use use with the Leica SL _
Thanks Chris! Amedeo Contax-LeicaM + Leica LeicaM-LMount
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thank you Matt
Thanks, good review, good explanation. Vintage lenses have a lot going for them. I hope you can get a Skyllaney Bertele to test soon. It is an interesting spin on the CZJ 5cm f/2.0 Sonnar.
Thanks Zoltan, yes I need to reach out to them. Thanks for the reminder. 👍🏻
Best camera porn channel ever, but with incredibly fine images of high quality models, and useful information about high end and budget kit. Nikon Z8 dropped. Why am I so much more interested in vintage film gear with cool names like Tessar and Planar?
Haha thanks. I much prefer old stuff too so you’re not alone!
Nikon has a really nice Tessar 45AiP pancake lens that they made as part of the FM3A kit. Beautiful little lens.
Any more info on the small bag you show in the video?
Hi, yes I did a full bag video, see my vids and search "stealth" (in the blog newsletter too)
The Contax Tessar seems to be a relatively rare and expensive collector's item. Chances are better to get a Sonnar f2 or even f1.5 at a reasonable price. I have the Zeiss West Sonnar 1.5 (for Contax IIa) which is, as you say, a phantastic lens. --- BTW, under normal conditions I have never managed to knock a Leica rangefinder _seriously_ out of alignment. Certainly, car vibration or bumping the bag around won't do it. So how do _you_ achieve that effect? ;-)
Thanks, apparently later post war ones are supposed to be less common. I bought a second just as was posting the video, black uncoated 2.8 to try out. My Leicas needing fixing once a year (m240) from frequent use but no bang as such. Some say M10/11 is better for this.
Nice video Matt and great shots but the title of this video ...???
Thanks Rob, the main reason for buying was for my go-anyway Kiev setup. But I might need to add Tessar to the title.
But why not take good old Zorki with a sonnar-clone Jupiter-3? Zorki can be CLAd with a hammer and a drop of sewing-machine oil, and Kiev's are much more high-tech and hard to repair with their metal shutters and rather complicated construction (we're talking cameras older than 50 years - those do need some service to work properly). Not even talking about dreaded Kiev/Contax-grip you need to use to properly focus them.
Thanks fair point. I have a few Zorki too. Tess at is different optics to J3 and I love the size especially. J3 great wide open on digital
Oh come on Matt, all you need are two tiny screwdrivers in your kit to adjust the RF of a Barnack/Nicca or Canon. In fact your L3 with a collapsible Canon Serenar 5cm/3.5 is at least the equal of an Elmar or Tessar (on which it is based), has click stops and many take 34mm screw in filters like a 9 cm Elmar. No need to use that FSU junk....
Thanks. I have a soft spot for the FSU stuff. That's what some of my first cameras were and I used to work in Ukraine in the past. I like them. For my 5cm and 9cm Elmars I use the same push on filters and hood. I have a new fav lens for the L3 - the LLL 35/2 LTM (if you use Chinese lenses).
Nine Benjis is alot though. How good?
Don't know if you have checked price for the 5cm tessar lately. There is no way that one can get a working one for the price you stated--may twice or three times that price.
You can, 1) I shared a screenshot of them listed, 2) I bought a second copy just before posting the video for £125 (the black 2.8 uncoated version shown in the video. Found it by accident while getting photos for the video)
I really dig the Kiev 4, such a masterpiece of the Soviet erA ... maybe because they had genuine Contax tools and dies to work with!!
Thanks, me too! Not as smooth as my Contax but better RF patch.
Is it just me or should all Leicas and their lenses be bomb-proof, considering the price? I know a lot of them are probably shelf queens - like Range Rivers bought for the weekly shopping trip.
Some say M10/M11 are more robust but I have no evidence
I guess, your SL needs some sensor-cleaning...😶🌫️
Haha sorry for this! Normally I shoot at/ close to wide open
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Yes, thats the downside of sunstar-testing😂
The f/3.5 performs better than the f/2.8 .... and what happened to your hair !!!! :-)
Ha I’d just been swimming so hair was more ‘lively’. I just bought an uncoated 2.8. The black one shown in the video.
Guilty of treating it like a baby?
Oh yeah....
We all do!
I have the West German Tessar 1:3.5 50mm for my Contax IIIA , It is a very sharp and high contrast landscape lens . I use my West Tessar for infrared . I think this post war production is very good . But this lens is not cheap like the Jena T Tessar , see 2:22 , But I still want to own a Jena T Tessar for my Contax .
Great. Yes some models cost more, great point. I’ve still found mine to be really good.
Great. Yes some models cost more, great point. I’ve still found mine to be really good.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom The best Sonnar 85mm is the Jena T Sonnar 85mm .
Some Post war 50mm Jena T Sonnar are made from aluminium . But the Jena T Sonnar 50mm special made for the Contax IIIA IIA is made from chromed brass . I have a chromed brass Jena T 1:2 50mm and the West German 1:2 50mm . The West German Sonnar is very smooth and bling bling made . But that bling bling make it difficult in the sun to read the aperture scale . I'am not sure who is better , just don't worry be happy with both .