Latest Review Posted | Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Primoplan V 58mm F1.9 This is the first lens I ever used on my uncle's Exakta V. which he purchased in 1951 (I have the bill of sales). The version of the lens was the 39.5mm version. I'm not sure about M42 mount years, but in Exakta mount they go back much further than 1952. There was a heavy uncoated version 5.8cm f/1.9 Primoplan (with no red V) that dates from the late 1930s. Fast Primoplan lenses were also available for the Night VP Exakta medium format in 80mm f/1.9 and those date back to 1938. Anyway, over the years I have added and sold a number of these lenses and currently I have 3, the original one I used and two of the 49mm thread versions.. There was a time before the invention of "bokeh" when these lenses were practically being given away with bodies. I had a few of the heavy uncoated version pass through my hands and all were sold as something to put on the camera body for sales. I wish I kept one...
The lens is a wonderful lens. Yes, it does need a lens hood (as do almost all lenses) and being 60+ yrs old it may need a good cleaning. As I own 3, I wouldn't buy one for $300+ these days, but if I didn't own one I'd want one... primarily for shooting film or mounting on a 1950s camera. |