Leica Showcase Minolta Chiyoko 3.5cm F3.5 in Leica Thread Mount

[Brian]

This lens came out in 1956 and features "multi-layer achromatic coating". This lens is rare, meaning a few hundred made in Leica mount. It was also available in Minolta's proprietary mount for the Super-35.

This is the last lens that I needed to complete a collection of Minolta LTM lenses, and it is the most rare of the bunch.

I found one on Ebay, complete with caps and case- and it is in beautiful condition.

I wanted to use it at a park, and today Nikki and I went up to Leesylvania State PArk for a nice long walk.

 

[Brian]

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[Brian]

The lens is sharp wide-open, is is a Tessar formula lens like the 3.5cm F3.5 Elmar and Nikkor. On par with the Nikkor that I have, which is much better than the Nikkor 3.5cm F3.5 that I had over 15 years ago. The latter was soft wide-open, but the 1949 Nikkor I have is good. I need to test the two side-by-side, but the Minolta is good.

This lens is best left for collectors, unless you find one at a good price. I could have bought the Summaron for less. This lens was more than a Nikkor 3.5cm F2.5 and Canon 35/1.8. But- I wanted this lens, it's a piece of history with multi-coated optics and completes my collection.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[Brian]

A few more from this week.

This is one of the better Tessar formula lenses that I've shot with.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)