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Meyer Görlitz Primagon 35mm f/4.5 and a little Exakta advice
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 4:23 pm    Post subject: Meyer Görlitz Primagon 35mm f/4.5 and a little Exakta advice Reply with quote
I have to admit that I had some bad luck right from the beginning of my MF adventure. First, the Primagon I bought on this forum turned out to be Praktina and not Exakta mount (i wrote about it here). Then, the Tamron 90/2.5 I bought elsewhere came with a "loose" aperture. Another Tamron 90/2.5 came with a tight spot on the focus ring (wrote about both here). The Big_is Adapter for Adaptall turned out to be the cause of the aperture not fully closing. Pentax Big_is adapter was mistakenly sent by regular mail and still hasn't arrived (2 lenses waiting). Finally, another copy of the Primagon I bought from Attila got stuck in the post office for over a month because of the strike. When it finally arrived it turned out that the adapter is a bit too deep, causing the lens to fit very loosely. In the meantime, one of my cats broke her leg and my house turned into an animal field hospital ever since. But I'm not giving up!


Haven't had time to do any work on Tamrons but I solved the EXA mount problem pretty easily. Maybe it's a well known fact but I will share it anyway. When I started looking for similar experiences I've found this thread:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1022617


Quote:
The problem with Exakta mount is that there is variation in depth, so for some lenses my adapter is a snug fit, and for some it's pretty loose and I need to put a metal shim under it.



After doing more research I've found that at least some adapters provide the possibility to adjust its depth. At first I had some trouble understanding what should be done, but finally I figured it out. I fitted the lens so tightly that I won't be removing the adapter just to take photos. Instead, I'll use the one from Big_is eBay auction. It looks pretty much the same.






The trick to adjust the adapter's depth is to put a small screwdriver inside the opening marked with the blue arrow (1.) and pry it gently to make the gap larger. It's actually much easier to get it done from the opposite side, where the green arrow is pointing (2.). This way you get better leverage. After repeating the same operation for all 3 openings you have successfully adjusted your Exakta adapter Smile



Haven't yet got a chance to test this lens properly, so here comes a shot of some unhealthy food.



1:1



And obviously some cats Very Happy I know that shooting a 35mm lens at MFD is not the best idea for portraits, but what better way to test the sharpness and resolution than shooting fur at a close distance. All are wide open, if one could call 4.5 wide.

Yoda. I made this one while she was lying on my belly, background is composed of my pants and jacket





Original model for Rodin's "The Thinker"




Leia.



This one escapes the MFD rule.




Luke.







Not at MFD either, but it looks a bit like Lenin Poster Smile


PostPosted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 4:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Wow, so amazing cat pictures, many thanks for sharing this EOS trick!


PostPosted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 5:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Great job! I can see the cat popping out from my monitor!

Nearly all cheap bayonet type need such kind of adjustment...


PostPosted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 6:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The food looks very similar to Canada's national dish: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine
What is it?


PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 12:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I was considering an Exakta mount primagon on ebay when I saw this post. Those pictures pretty much sold me. I have purchased the lens for what seems a very good price for what appears to be a mint lens. Ut oh, did I read recently that good condition means no one wanted to use it? Wink


PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 12:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Meyers of this period have excellent build quality and out of the 6 or 7 I have had, they have all performed great, so I think you'll be fine.

The Primagon is in my top 5 favourite lenses so I'm sure you'll enjoy it.


PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 1:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
That method of adjustment is also present in the lens mount of standard Exakta camera bodies. The brass lens mount with the cutouts is in fact slightly flexible and acts as a spring to provide friction to hold the lens firmly.

One other reason for it is to adjust lens mount tightness. There is no separate spring mechanism to keep the bayonet tight. After much use the soft brass mount can wear down and lenses may mount loosely. This is fixed by doing exactly as you describe.

Its a rather crude system, but it worked for Exakta for 40 years.


PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 1:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121169732770


PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 2:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Looks like a good one and the price was good, I paid that much for mine 3 years ago. Worth every penny though, I've used it a hell of a lot.


PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 4:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Great lens and stunning cat photos. The tortoise guy make me think of Tyrion Lannister. (sorry I've just finish the game of throne books)

People often said that eBay adapters were junk; they were loose and did not reach infinity. Well I have about 20 cheapo adapters and every single one reached infinity. However about half were indeed loose which can be easily fix in one minute by the method you described.

Edit:
I've just saw that she's a princess. Sorry I have mistaken you for a dwarf, your highness.

Last edited by tao on Fri Sep 06, 2013 7:13 am; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 5:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
what's the minimum focal distance of that lens?


PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 7:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
On behalf of my cats, thank you all for your kind words Smile Taking photos of this bunch is such a challenging and rewarding task.

Also, thanks for all the insight on the Exakta mount. Even though, from what you are saying, this kind of adjustment seems to be something common, I haven't found much information while looking for a solution. Either I was looking in all the wrong places or that's just something that every respectable EXA guy simply knows but refuses to share Wink


lenny wrote:
The food looks very similar to Canada's national dish: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine
What is it?


So, I see it can get even less healthy Smile Mine was just french fries with melted cheese, some spices and a bottle of chardonnay (outside the frame). No gravy.

Didn't know it's Canada's national dish though.


woodrim wrote:
I was considering an Exakta mount primagon on ebay when I saw this post. Those pictures pretty much sold me. I have purchased the lens for what seems a very good price for what appears to be a mint lens.:


Glad it helped. I got amazed by a lot of other people's photos before purchasing this lens. Can't really put my finger on it, but this Primagon makes the world look like a better place, it has this magic factor that convinced me.

But wait a minute... have you just acquired it ~$40 cheaper than I did? And you did get it with a leather bag?! Damn! Guess that's what happens when "monkey sees, monkey wants". I bought mine from Atilla so at least the money went for a good cause Wink

BTW, glass looks very clean but I wouldn't expect the lens to be mint. After buying 2 of these, I learned that strong light can really camouflage many imperfections on the silver casing. Oh, and the front cap on yours is cracked - that's what you get for saving $40 Very Happy


tao wrote:
People often said that eBay adapters were junk; they were loose and did not reach infinity. Well I have about 20 cheapo adapters and every single one reached infinity. However about half were indeed loose which can be easily fix in one minute by the method you described.


Well, it seems to be a worldwide trend that people would grumble about things before/instead of looking for a solution. A lot of misinformation is being created that way. I have this great Tascam DR-40 recorder, which I find to be a true marvel at its price. If you search for opinions you will find a lot of ranting done by indolent people who, in an absolute lack of audio-knowledge, criticize the equipment because they get strange noises when connecting el-cheapo, unbalanced mic.

When I faced the loose mount, after the disappointment phase was gone, I remembered I'm a beginner, assumed I must have been wrong and I did my homework. I'm proud of meself (pat, pat) Smile

tao wrote:

I've just saw that she's a princess. Sorry I have mistaken you for a dwarf, your highness.


You better be, she takes no prisoners when it comes to her honour! Very Happy


enliten wrote:
what's the minimum focal distance of that lens?


Didn't measure the exact distance but judging from the scale it must be just under 40cm.



One more question: what does the red letter "V", printed on the front of the lens, stand for?

On the one I bought from Attila this marking is present:


And on the one Woodrim bought it's not:



Is it about the coatings as stated on this page?
Classic Lenses FAQ

Quote:
MC or Multi Coating or V or T

If the Lens is branded with MC or Muli Coating or V or T it means that the lens uses a multi coating layer (normally improving flare resistance). Older lenses and West German lenses are normally branded V or T while later east German production lenses are branded MC or Multi Coating.


PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 7:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
WHAT? I don't have a red V? I missed that. Member MIR estimated mine to be 1958 or 1959. But it has a higher serial number than yours, so I wonder why no V if it represents coating?


PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 7:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
kido wrote:
Oh, and the front cap on yours is cracked - that's what you get for saving $40 Very Happy


I'm not worried about the cap being cracked, it's probably just the result of dropping the lens. ........ Shocked


PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 8:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
woodrim wrote:
WHAT? I don't have a red V? I missed that. Member MIR estimated mine to be 1958 or 1959. But it has a higher serial number than yours, so I wonder why no V if it represents coating?


I've heard that they sell red "V" as an accessory. It's a collector's item and the pricing is steep (around $45)


woodrim wrote:
I'm not worried about the cap being cracked, it's probably just the result of dropping the lens. ........ Shocked


Let's just hope it fell on a MINT bush. Wink


PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 9:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
woodrim wrote:
Member MIR estimated mine to be 1958 or 1959. But it has a higher serial number than yours, so I wonder why no V if it represents coating?


Maybe they were counting down or the V version has a numbering of its own? According to the page I quoted earlier:

http://www.owens-photography.com/meyer-optik-gorlitz-primagon-35mm-4-5/

Quote:
There are two versions available. Early models have no exterior coating. Apparently the internal elements are coated. The newer lenses are branded with a V meaning that they are coated.


The Praktina mount Primagon I mentioned in the begining has the serial number starting with 251, also no "V".


PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've just noticed two things, your cat has eyes of two different colors, and you live in Chile. Not connected, I'm sure. I don't recall any other member here from Chile; it will be interesting to see more pictures from you of the area.


PostPosted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
woodrim wrote:
I've just noticed two things, your cat has eyes of two different colors, and you live in Chile. Not connected, I'm sure.


Or is it? Chilean multicolor cat. Wink

woodrim wrote:
I don't recall any other member here from Chile; it will be interesting to see more pictures from you of the area.


Yeah, it's about time I take my new babies out for a trip. I've been really busy lately so my MF lenses adventure has been limited to cats, bees (it's spring here) and french fries so far.

Some day between next week and the end of the month I'll need to visit Valparaiso (port) on a business matter. Hopefully I'll find some time to take out my camera. I mean... big ships, huge cranes, concrete, steel, rust, 35mm Primagon and 90mm Tammy? It calls for a fest!



Did I just put the bar a little too high for myself? Smile


PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 2:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mine arrived yesterday. I've never had a lens come in this good condition. Jupiter-9 I got recently was near mint, but this Primagon hasn't a flaw nor a spec of dust inside. I could be easily convinced that it was never used. As seen earlier in this thread, mine has no red V, but I'm over it now Wink Eager to try it out, I could only snap a few shots in early evening with low sun. My initial observations are that it is very sharp. My images can easily stand up to 100% crops with great detail. Quite good at wide open, but I'm not too impressed with that since it starts at f/4.5. Colors are wonderful. I can't help but wonder how it will compare with my Topcor 35/2.8. I think Topcor will win the blues, Meyer the warmer tones. Topcor is faster, so has the advantage there. At f/5.6 I doubt a difference in sharpness can be appreciated. I have not yet detected even the slightest amount of CA. Topcor might in harsh situations, but that is probably when wider than f/4.5. I look forward to using this lens more, but do wish it was faster. It might be hard to choose between the Topcor and this Meyer in bright lighting.

I did shoot into the sun and did experience glare. In one shot with the sun directly ahead and low in sky, I got a very wild flare, but that made it the most interesting of the pictures I took.













PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 2:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You'll get little blue dots sometimes shooting towards the sun, I've noticed that with my copy. It definitely benefits from a hood too.

Enjoy her, I'm sure you will.


PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 2:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Very nice images, from both members. This is a lens I've liked the look of for a long time, it's rapidly moving up my list of 'most wanted'.


PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 2:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Very nice images, from both members. This is a lens I've liked the look of for a long time, it's rapidly moving up my list of 'most wanted'.


PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 1:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think the red V was just a marketing thing. Zeiss put a red T on their coated lenses, so other companies imitated that. The Meritars also had a red V. Schacht in West Germany also put a little red symbol on their lenses in the same era. When the novelty of coating wore off, it was apparently not worth the time of engraving an extra letter on the lens anymore.


PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 2:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I thought mine not having a V might be an earlier lens, but serial number is higher, so you think later? I wonder about others with near serial number, do they have a V?


PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 2:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
If a lens lacks the T or V, it is a later one. They stopped putting the coating marks on at some point in the late 50s or very early 60s because, as mos says, coating became the norm.
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