Question about the versions of Corfield Lumax 45mm f1.9

olesia2015 · Joined: 11 Aug 2016 Posts: 41

Hello to everyone. Recently this lens traps to my eyes and I really enjoyed the images, were made with it's help. Also, I found that there is 2 version of this lens exists: older - in silver body with leather stripes and later - in black/chrome "zebra" body.
Thinking at first that the difference between lenses should be purely in exterior design (well, maybe also different coating), I found this 2 articles on Japanese web site, where, who seems to be a qualified lens technician, writing a sort of review of both of the lenses, which was sent to him for CLA.

https://pakira3.sakura.ne.jp/wp/?p=102552

https://pakira3.sakura.ne.jp/wp/?p=38979

There we may see his notes that the difference between 2 of the lenses is quite significant, as the "zebra" version appears to have biometar/xenotar type optical system with 5 elements in 4 groups, when silver version is a double gauss 6/4. Also, the silver version has 12 aperture blades and the back one "only" 10.
My question is: does anyone have more information regarding this matter? I'm asking it because I've read quite a few articles, where it was clearly stated the both lens versions are double gauss and are basically the same in terms of the optical scheme, used in their build.

calvin83 · Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 7553 Location: Hong Kong

I am confused by the information on the web too. First hand experience is better than information on the web without a reliable source.

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

I recently ran across this on Corfield: https://corfield.org/camera/corfield.htm

Probably doesn't answer your question but interesting history just the same. Iirc from the article corfield contracted with a British optician to begin with but the switched to Enna Munchen.

philslizzy · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 4748 Location: Cheshire, England

I don't know if this will answer your question, but it does say that the original lens infringed a Wray patent which brought a minor design change. It doesnt say what the change was but it fits in with what olesia2015 says.

DonN · Joined: 30 Jul 2017 Posts: 38

i have this lens (the silver version) and I can confirm its a lovely lens. I do not know what type of optical formula it is, but I do believe the newer "zebra" version is totally different from what I've read online (I do not have the zebra version). The silver version is NOT coupled, but it does have a Leica L39 screw mount. The aperture does not click when you adjust it. The lens is sharp, but I wouldn't say its the sharpest. The bokeh is excellent and makes a great lens for macro shots. The colors also look great too. I highly recommend this lens.

Also look at http://www.cjs-classic-cameras.co.uk/other/periflex.html

I've attached a few photos from my Instagram page. There are more samples if you want to see them.
https://www.instagram.com/nardonmisc/

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