rsolti13 wrote:
Agreed, the images look extremely sharp and modern, draws very similarly to a 50 APO from what I see
It will probably behave a lot like the Voigtlander 65mm f/2 APO (especially since they share similar angle of view), though the 1934's Elcan very likely offers much lower resolution and higher aberrations. We might not notice those characteristics in resized images because we lack access to full size files, but the MTF data does not lie.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Skip the 1934 time-travel "11K fee" and just hunt down a used 75/2 APO. Real espionage demands extra 9mm FL and actual corner-to-corner sharpness. Or better yet, go with the tiny CV 75mm f/2.8 APO... it's so small you will completely blend into the shadows.
the enemy won't even see you coming!
My beloved, genius-level, departed father-in-law actually did do espionage, in occupied Poland, during WW2. I should dub my APO Summicron-M 75mm ASPH "Little Dad," in his honor. The Maximum Magnification spec, at MFD, would make it a decent lens, if not a macro lens, for espionage...
Maybe just "LDL," for Little Dad Lens?
No, I would not address him, directly, as "Little Dad." My dad was taller, so, when talking with my wife, or texting her, for brevity, my dad was "Dad," and her dad was "Little Dad."
Fred Miranda wrote:
It will probably behave a lot like the Voigtlander 65mm f/2 APO (especially since they share similar angle of view), though the 1934's Elcan very likely offers much lower resolution and higher aberrations. We might not notice those characteristics in resized images because we lack access to full size files, but the MTF data does not lie.
Tend to agree on a longer FL like a 75, but why not get the 75/1.4 Summilux or even c a cheaper alternative the Z21 75.1.5 for even more character.
stgrove wrote:
Tend to agree on a longer FL like a 75, but why not get the 75/1.4 Summilux or even c a cheaper alternative the Z21 75.1.5 for even more character.
I would definitely get the Z21 75mm f/1.5 regardless of the price because I love its rendering, but that is really the whole point. The 66 Elcan feels a bit lacking in character because it tries to act like a modern, sharp, and well corrected lens even though its MTF numbers are not super impressive. However, it is still compact for a 65mm f/2 lens, and it carries a historical pedigree in both its build and its optical design that other lenses simply can't match.
For instance, the tiny Voigtlander 75mm f/2.8 APO performs much better and would actually make a better spy lens () since it gives you a longer focal length while staying way smaller. However, you get less blur and it is a completely new design with zero connection to the past, so you miss out on that brand heritage and historical optical novelty.
This isn't surprising what was state of the art or pushing the envelope in the 1970s doesn't now, ELCAN did a number of military projects there are lenses that never went beyond prototype, I am researching one now with very few copies. I think one of the things that characterize those military Mandler lenses that Erwin Putz said Mandler so liked working on it that let his creativity soar. The now well known 50/2 4 element due to LLL lens. What I am finding is what I expected the 1970s Mandler military lens is better than the lens commercialized of that era, but compared to what Leica does today it isn't magic. The same could be said for the advances in commercial lenses of the 1950s, Leica and others leaped forward, then in the 60s with the Leica Noc t 1.2, or the 8 element both of which were not that economic to produce etc.
The 66 mm was great for its time, it is rare in its original, desirable, collectable, today if you buy it as a super lens, well it needs to jump shot for that designation with 75s that are really great. And the reissue being limited is also a collectable that may increase in value, may not with the 600 or so being sold- not that rare.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I would definitely get the Z21 75mm f/1.5 regardless of the price because I love its rendering, but that is really the whole point. The 66 Elcan feels a bit lacking in character because it tries to act like a modern, sharp, and well corrected lens even though its MTF numbers are not super impressive. However, it is still compact for a 65mm f/2 lens, and it carries a historical pedigree in both its build and its optical design that other lenses simply can't match.
For instance, the tiny Voigtlander 75mm f/2.8 APO performs much better and would actually make a better spy lens () since it gives you a longer focal length while staying way smaller. However, you get less blur and it is a completely new design with zero connection to the past, so you miss out on that brand heritage and historical optical novelty....Show more →
I have had too many "other" things impacting me of late, but just remembered I was going to compare some 75's like the 75 Lux, 75 SPII, 75 Z21, Norton 75/1.5 and for what it's worth the Hector 7.3cm /1.9 old LTM lens from 1932.
Ha Ha, just found an old original Thambar from 1938/39 in my LTM drawer I had forgotten all about.
rico wrote:
I'm not understanding this 1934 date. From Google:
"Ernst Leitz Canada was established in 1952 with the opening of its factory in Midland, Ontario."
The site was chosen to protect Leitz production from Soviet invasion during the Cold War, including military-grade products.
Also, Walter Mandler would have been 12 years old.
Plot twist: Walter was just a precocious kid sketching military lenses in his notebook. Jokes aside, my bad on the 1934 mix-up...we are definitely talking about the 1970s here!
Fred Miranda wrote:
Plot twist: Walter was just a precocious kid sketching military lenses in his notebook. Jokes aside, my bad on the 1934 mix-up...we are definitely talking about the 1970s here!
There are likely a number of unknown military lenses, apparently records are lost/destroyed, and perhaps as odd as it seems such things were actually classified, and Leica simply does not have records in their archives, and that is just for the US... other NATO/Allies ? The lens I am working has maybe 2 or 3 surviving copies, have discussed with Leica and they simply don't have much information. There were probably many that never left the optical bench, others prototyped, it is an interesting a speculative thing of all the things they were doing. Was the KE7a going to be a larger kit, I think to some degree it was envisioned as such with mil spec lenses not in public domain, other versions for the navy etc with things like the 66 mm lots of unrealized pieces of a puzzle that will probably never be unraveled. Anyways a little afield from whether to buy a 66 mm which is probably one of those if you want it then get it things, an echo of a rare lens capturing some of what the US Navy was seeking in the 1970s.
Or better yet, go with the tiny CV 75mm f/2.8 APO... it's so small you will completely blend into the shadows.
The Maximum Magnification spec, at MFD, would make it a decent lens, if not a macro lens, for espionage...
Jokes aside, my bad on the 1934 mix-up...we are definitely talking about the 1970s here!