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12-12-2014, 03:36 PM - 1 Like   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by 6BQ5 Quote
A German rebrand of a Chinese knock-off of Russian designs taken from the Germans probably to begin with. The circle is now complete.
Indeed: the Meyer-Optik Görlitz 85mm f/1.4 Somnium is a clone of Helios-40-2, whereas Helios-40 (1957; same lens as Helios-40-2 but with M39 mount instead of M42) derives from Carl Zeiss Biotar 75mm f/1.5 (1938).



12-12-2014, 03:40 PM   #17
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Figmentum = Figment
Somnium = Dream

...we only need "Nightmare" and then we're A-OK!
12-12-2014, 03:56 PM - 1 Like   #18
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To make a long story short:
  • €999 / $1,035 "Made in Germany" Meyer-Optik Görlitz 85mm f/1.4 Somnium is a clone of $400-450 (Russian) Zenit Helios-40-2 85mm f/1.5
  • €599 / $620 "Made in Germany" Meyer-Optik Görlitz 85 mm f/2 Figmentum is a clone of $199 (Chinese) Zhongyi Mitakon 85 mm f/2 Creator
  • €599 / $620 "Made in Germany" Meyer-Optik Görlitz 35 mm f/2 Figmentum is a clone of $199 (Chinese) Zhongyi Mitakon 35 mm f/2 Creator
Why do I feel cheated?
12-12-2014, 04:25 PM   #19
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...it's telling that not long ago it was the Chinese who were copying the Germans, not the other way round...

12-12-2014, 05:20 PM   #20
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So, let's move, nothing interesting to see ! It's sad, because it's always nice to see new product, new lenses, hit the market, especially when they seem exciting !
12-12-2014, 07:09 PM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mistral75 Quote
whereas Helios-40 (1957; same lens as Helios-40-2 but with M39 mount instead of M42) derives from Carl Zeiss Biotar 75mm f/1.5 (1938).
Ummmm...no. The Helios-40 was developed by the Soviets to photograph oscilloscope displays and was a post-WWII design. Contrary to prevailing opinion, few FSU lenses have a direct Zeiss heritage.

As for the NEW! Meyer-Optik lenses, I don't understand the disappointment. Any lenses developed under that name are Meyer in name only in much the same way as the MIJ CZJ lenses are Zeiss in name only. Meyer-Optik was absorbed into VEB Pentacon in the late 1960s and Pentacon was liquidated and dissolved in the early 1990s. The Meyer entity attempted a revival at that time that failed. The Pentacon brands were acquired by Jos. Schneider Group and continue today in name only with production in Asia.

Translation? The historic Meyer production ended over 40 years ago and the traceable product lineage almost 25 years ago.

The current lenses labeled Meyer-Optic Görlitz are being developed by a company called Globell Germany, owned by net SE. net SE, as near as I can tell is a software publisher that sells, among other things, cheap photo imaging software (http://www.netag.de/). The Meyer brand's Web site is a single page only and the "Made in Germany" claim is not backed by any manufacturing facilities since the products exist as prototypes only.

Translation? These lenses exist as a few prototypes and are Meyer in name only. As products they don't really exist, except maybe as a means to generate interest from investors.

The prototypes may be repainted Mitakon or KMZ, but what that means is anyone's guess.


Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 12-12-2014 at 07:31 PM.
12-12-2014, 07:20 PM   #22
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QuoteOriginally posted by aurele Quote
So, let's move, nothing interesting to see ! It's sad, because it's always nice to see new product, new lenses, hit the market, especially when they seem exciting !
I would be more excited if it were a different make (say, Kern for example) and if there were a clear link to historic designs. Meyer-Optik has an honored place in photographic history, but for the most part their products during the last decade of existence (1960s) was undistinguished.


Steve

12-13-2014, 04:49 AM   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mistral75 Quote
Indeed: the Meyer-Optik Görlitz 85mm f/1.4 Somnium is a clone of Helios-40-2, whereas Helios-40 (1957; same lens as Helios-40-2 but with M39 mount instead of M42) derives from Carl Zeiss Biotar 75mm f/1.5 (1938).
QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
Ummmm...no. The Helios-40 was developed by the Soviets to photograph oscilloscope displays and was a post-WWII design. Contrary to prevailing opinion, few FSU lenses have a direct Zeiss heritage.

(...)
Hmm... actually yes, I am afraid.

Here is the optical formula of the '50s Helios-40 85mm f/1.5 I already posted above:




and there the optical formula of the 1938 Carl Zeiss Biotar 75mm f/1.5



Quite an air de famille, don't you think?
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