Mike’s Tessar 40mm

[Julio1fer]

A long time ago, I got a 2.8/40mm Tessar, M39 mount from Mike, the forum owner. It was originally for a Tenax iI, but adapted for Barnack Leicas.



When tried the first time, it did not focus correctly so it went into a box, and I forgot about it. Recently I found the lens, tried it again to see if it had corrected itself (it had not) and sent it for adjustment to my technician, who did a good job. Although the rangefinder coupling is way off, now it works nicely with scale focusing.

A trial, mounted in my Leica III with HP5+, went well enough. It is a convenient focal distance for general subjects, and the lens is compact.





Happy to have recovered this lens, and now I am intrigued about the Tenax II….

[Brazile]

That worked out well for you!

Robert

[melek]

Wow - I don't remember that lens at all! But really great work with it - as usual.

[PFMcFarland]

Having used cameras with 40mm lenses either built-in or interchangeable, I'd have to say that it is a very useful focal length. Those are some lovely results, Julio.

PF

[Julio1fer]

Thanks PF! IIRC the theoretical normal lens for 24x36 is 43mm, so 40 is close enough. The only problem is that there are not too many RF viewfinders with an accurate 40mm field, so approximations are needed.