January 29, 2021

From Gerald R. Lucas

Hexanon Returned covid-19: day 312 | US: GA | info | act

Thanks to Sebastian, a fantastic eBay seller, I received my Hexanon 1.8/40 lens back today, fungus-free. He also reimbursed my shipping and included a couple of lens filters. This was unexpected, but welcome. I promptly took some test shots.


I uploaded the first photo to a group that Giles, Ernest, and I share on Photos. Giles commented that he didn’t like it: the bokeh swirled too much for him. I do agree that the bokeh is unique—maybe a bit harsh in that photo. However, I think in other photos, like the one with Kingsley, the bokeh is rather nice. I even like the blur in the second photo: it almost has Trioplan-like soap bubbles. I dig the focal length, and now wish I had not sold my Nokton Classic 1.4/40. Still, I paid $0 for this lens, and for that, it is very good.

On a similar note, Ernest bought a pretty pristine Leica M8 and a silver Nokton 50mm f/1.5. I’m officially envious of both. He took my advice and got the M8 over the M240, saving himself the cost of another M8. Yes, it’s older and has a crop sensor, but it also has that magical CCD and will be a great entry-level rangefinder for him. That said, if he doesn’t like it, I told him I would buy it. Also, I offered to help sell his Fujifilm X-Pro2 and lens. Shouldn’t be too difficult.

Leica Camera and Lens Information
📷: Leica M8 (09/2022–) • Leica M (Typ 262) (01/2017–12/2020) • Leica SL (Typ 601) (12/2020–). Leica Lenses: Leica Summicron-M 2/50 (Typ IV)Leica Summicron-M 2/35mm ASPH (Typ V). Other Lenses: Asahi Super-Takumar 1.4/50 8-ElementAsahi Super-Takumar 1.8/55Asahi Super-Takumar 2.5/135Canon 1.4/50 LTM Helios 44m-4 2/58Industar 61 2.8/55Jupiter-8 2/50Jupiter-9 2/85Konica Hexinon AR 1.8/40Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 2.8/100Olympus Zuiko 2.8/24Olympus Zuiko 2.8/28Olympus Zuiko 1.8/50Olympus Zuiko 2/85Vivitar 2.8/28 • Voigtländer Nokton Classic 1.4/40 MC • Voigtländer Ultron 1.8/21Voigtländer Ultron 2/28. Processed with Capture One Pro.