joel_matherson

<p>This looks like a reasonable product. The MS Optical conversion is more expensive and a more quirky barrel and aperture arrangement, whereas this one looks almost like a conventional Leica lens. Its a niche product that people wont buy as their first and only 40mm lens. Theres a ready supply of junk cameras to provide donor lenses. Its not going to sell in mass numbers but its priced to satisfy enough sales to warrant its manufacture. As a collector of 40mm lens I must admit I put my order in already. :-) <br /> Hint: Tell your other half "No this isnt another lens its just a spare part that allows you to salvage part of that old camera thats broken in the cupboard rather than throw the whole thing away and loose money. This is recycling I promise!"</p>

<p>Haze with this lens is unfortunately more common than it should be. Circumstantial evidence from users point to the likely cause being some kind of emissions given off by the vinyl lens case that come with it. Although not definitive at this point I suggest just to be safe keeping the lens stored elsewhere away from the original case. (Thats if you are able to get it cleaned) Like Raid suggests Its quite a valuable lens and well worth sending it to a professional.</p>

<p>Its Plastic.</p>

<blockquote> <p>Hey Joel, I seem to remember you are the Minolta CLE enthusiast.... Greetings.</p> </blockquote> <p>Hey Ray, long tome no see. As the forum here dwindled I moved on to that other site that has a dedicated CLE section. Gone are the days you would get 30 new threads a day here unfortunately. Good to see you again.</p>

<p>There is a lot of negative comments on here to a reasonably logical thought. I have thought about the same thing. Leica is pretty much the last bastion of a film camera company, it makes sense they may offer such an item given that Nikon and Minolta have given up on that market. My Minolta died a number of months back and is irreparable, goodness Konica-Minolta as a camera company doesnt even exist anymore. Sure Leica probably couldnt make the thing themselves but they could oversee a third party to ensure that the quality is up to scratch. Dont tell me that quite a number of Leica fanatics that already have a good film scanner wouldnt try a Leica one (admit it you know what we're like!). The market is small but its there and that is where Leica chooses its market in small niches. There is no real competition for a high end amateur film scanner. Having looked for a replacement with whats on the on the market these days all I could find new are the cheaper Plustek type or a second hand one that could well pack it in like my old one. So yes I think there may be a market there and Im actually there looking right now for one for myself.</p>