[Leica] Picking up old lenses

[jhnichols at lighttube.net (Jim Nichols)]

Don, I have no problem with using little-known lenses if they are clean 
and work.? I have a Russian Jupiter-8 50/2.0 that would never focus at 
close distances on a Leica IIIf, but works fine on an SLR.? Turns out 
the Leica and Russian RF cams are different.? Then I have a Leica 
Summaron 35/3.5 that doesn't work because it is fogged.

When I began to require glasses, I gave up on thread-mount Leicas and 
picked up a simple Exa in a pawn shop and used it for many years to take 
birthday and Christmas pictures, with and without flash, using a small 
Zeiss lens. Consignment shops often have complete kits for sale.

My motto is, " If it works for you, don't sweat the pedigree!"

On 6/6/21 4:02 PM, Don Dory via LUG wrote:
> This isn't about a great lens I found.  What I am really questioning is
> using equipment that is "good enough"  I stumbled on a 40mm Makro Kilfit
> f3.5 D version at a stupidly cheap price.  Even in Exacta mount that wasn't
> an obstacle with a mirrorless body.  It is a four element in three group
> design. Using it I found it quite usable wide open if you kept the main
> subject in the center third.  Stopped down to 5.6-8 it was quite usable out
> to the outer third.
>
> Even compared to the Leica 60mm Macro it is half the size and weight.  So,
> what is everybodies feelings about good enough even though modern
> technology will be far superior?  I know more than several members have
> transitioned to the Q2 for the size, weight, and simplicity of use.
>
> Part of this is that younger photographers need a beginning place.  Most of
> us started out on used equipment that worked and as our fortunes and
> interests matured we acquired better tools.  My child didn't really get an
> income that would support a lot of hobbies until thirty after the PhD.
> Many folk don't get to that point so the tools need to be more reasonable
> than a $2000 M body and a $500 foggy Russian lens.
>
> Anyway, thoughts?
>
-- 
Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN USA