C mount Switar 26mm f/1.1 review

[lripsher]

Hi all - new to this forum but been a reader for a while (was particularly useful when looking for info on c mount lenses for m43rds). To give something back, here's my review of the Switar 26mm f1.1 (on an E-P1).

http://lawrenceripsher.com/blog/2009/12/switar-26mm-f1-1-f1-1-review.html

I'll be adding a couple more Switar reviews in the new year .

Cheers,

Lawrence
http://www.lawrenceripsher.com

 

[Terry]

Hi Lawrence,
Welcome to the forum.
Funny thing happened over the weekend. I went to your site to see what you were using and what new stuff you had posted because you seemed so "quiet" these days. Not even 10 minutes later when I was done reading your excellent review I went back over to DPReview and voila you had posted the link....karma.

I have the Panasonic 25 f1.4 to cover that focal length (although in a much larger form factor). The Switar is a pricey little thing. I'd be curious to see how much the prices have actually risen since the launch of the G1 just over a year ago.

terry

 

[apicius9]

I remember someone mentioning somewhere that he picked up this lens plus a few others for around $100 before the prices went beserk, still brings tears to my eyes.

Thanks for the nice review, Lawrence, that's what I imagined from the bits and pieces I picked up in other threads. While I clearly would love to have one, this lens has moved out of my personal price range. I look forward to more Kern lens reviews from you, I wish I could contribute a few myself but my day job is a mess right now and I just don't find the patience for playing with lenses in depth right now (although I seem to find the time to spend money on new ones ).

Stefan

 

[drxcm]

Nice review. I picked up this lens not so long ago from one of the members here. I love it.

It is definitely a 'specialty' lens for me. It has a dreamy character that is very characteristic.

I don't believe that a focal length can be 'covered' with one lens only. I'm still thinking of picking up the Panasonic 20 1.7 because it really does render in an entirely different way.

I'd love to pick up a Macro Switar 75 1.9 at some stage, that is another beauty. Currently, I'm on the verge of purchasing an M9, so I think the Kern will have to wait!

 

[lripsher]

Thanks guys.

$100... man.

I have the Switar 75mm 1.9... i have it back in the UK - it's coming back to me this Xmas and I'll do a write up.

 

[kai.e.g.]

Welcome, Lawrence! We've already "met" (virtually) via the comments section of your blog - discussing that old 42mm = 84mm chestnut. [By the way: my PEN 42mm f/1.2 arrived a couple of weeks ago, and its hardly left my camera since. I love it!]

That's a very interesting & thorough review - thank-you. On the downside, you've probably just helped to increase Macro Switar prices up another 10~20% !

Cheers,
Kai

 

[apicius9]

On the downside, you've probably just helped to increase Macro Switar prices up another 10~20% !

Cheers,
Kai

No no, wait one more week with the price increases, then I have all the ones I want

That Macro Switar 75/1.9 definitely is a beauty, I have a few 75mm c-mounts but this one clearly stands out (followed by the Schneider Tele-Xenar 75/2.8). Not sure about the 50mm RX, yet, it's a bit tricky to handle on the adapter, I wish I had the macro version of that one. And I decided to let go of the 25/1.4 Switars (sold an RX, will sell an AR), have too many other good 25mm c-mounts - and now the 20/1.7 - that cover it all.

Stefan

 

[MRfanny]

great review. fantastic pictures. would love to own one of these. this lens doesn't require modification does it?

 

[lripsher]

Kai - great to hear from you again. Did you get the 42 1.2 off ebay? That's a super piece of glass - must be great for portraits.

Re price rises... lol, surely they can't get any more expensive (although never say never). Well, I'll do a reader discount on my blog should I get rid of mine . Actually I have a couple of M mounts arriving this week (on loan from Zeiss). I can see this is going to be an expensive next twelve months.

For those of you interested btw, I have an Angenieux 25mm f/1.4 that I'm going to send around the US to people to let them try it on their GF1 / EP-1 / EP-2 / etc. No strings, just thought it'd be interesting for people to try out / be involved with / etc. First on this list is someone with a GF1 (just south of me in Oregon). She'll try the lens and then I'll get her to send it on in the new year.

I'll provide more details about this on my blog shortly.

Cheers,

Lawrence

 

[Photomorgana]

Hi all - new to this forum but been a reader for a while (was particularly useful when looking for info on c mount lenses for m43rds). To give something back, here's my review of the Switar 26mm f1.1 (on an E-P1).

http://lawrenceripsher.com/blog/2009/12/switar-26mm-f1-1-f1-1-review.html

I'll be adding a couple more Switar reviews in the new year .

Cheers,

Lawrence
http://www.lawrenceripsher.com

Hi Lawrence,

Great review, thank you for taking time and doing this. Great read.

The lens is truly amazing, but just like you said its not a landscape lens.

Here are few of my samples I took with Switar 26mm f1.1

 

[kai.e.g.]

Lawrence - I ended it purchasing it from "Leica Shop" (www.leicashop.com), an Austrian camera store that specialises in vintage/almost-vintage gear. It is great for portraits!

There's a (very) big bi-annual used camera fair on in a village near mine this coming Sunday, and I'm debating the wisdom of taking my wallet along or not.....

 

[petermcwerner]

Thank you Lawrence for your excellent review. I see you are enjoying yours.

I had one until recently and loved it. In another thread on this forum, Dream Service for my Switar I wrote about the history and current factory service of this lens.

Macro Switar 26mm/1.1 on G1 - ISO=100 - 1/4000 @ f/5.6 - Raw Therapee + gimp​

On my web site you will find more pictures shot with this wonderful lens.

BTW, until recently you could buy new ones from Bolex, now they have run out of parts. Their list price was around $3500.

Cheers
Peter