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RE: [OM] 3rd party lens options for OM

Subject: RE: [OM] 3rd party lens options for OM
From: Gary Schloss <schloss@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 11:01:50 -0800
Matthias Wilke wrote:

>Wayne asked:
>>
>>> why not add one mint Spotmatic to your equipment, so you can use
>>> many of those cheap M42 gems, like the fisheye.
>>
>>I was thinking of doing the same thing, however I still haven't found that
>>Takumar Fisheye.  Does anyone know where these can be found ?  I have all
>>but given up hope of finding a used 16mm Zuiko here (Australia)
>>
>The Takumar fisheye is perhaps as rare as the Zuiko fisheye and it is not
>cheap in good condition, too. (BTW, Takumar fisheye in comparison with a
>Carl Zeiss (west) F-Distagon, did visibly better.)

I do encounter the Takumar fisheyes every once in a while.  There are two
different ones: the older 18/f11, and the more modern 17/f4.  The latter
is much more user-friendly (the former is mostly a collectible item).
Prices for a clean Super-Takumar 17/f4 hover around US$350, whereas a
clean SMC Takumar 17/f4 may fetch $400-425.  Zuiko fisheyes are far more
expensive.

>My suggestion for a cheap fisheye is the Russian Zenitar 16mm 1:2,8

I concur with Matthias: the Zenitar is an excellent choice for fisheye
on a budget.  Another great choice, although almost as expensive as the
Takumars (if not more so!), is the terrific EBC Fujinon 16/f2.8 Fisheye.
It's in M42 mount, slightly modified for open aperture metering on the
top echelon Fujicas (ST-801, ST-901, etc.)

Other sources of good quality screw-mount lenses are the older Yashica
and Mamiya/Sekor, although I don't believe either of them had a fisheye
in their stable.  (Actually, Mamiya made one -- a 14/f3.5, but only in
bayonet mount).  And then, of course, there's always Sigma ... :-)

P.S. As to the screw-mount bodies, the Spotmatic is a reliable and
emminently worthwhile choice.  But, do not overlook high-end Fujicas,
esp. the ST-801 which has shutter to 1/2000 sec., LED meter readout,
and uses modern "silicon blue" metering cells and easily available
silver-oxide batteries (PX-28).

Cheers,





/Gary Schloss.
Studio City, CA
schloss@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx



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