Who is Congo?

Hi,

I nedd your help and advice. I found at e*ay this lens:

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?

ViewItem&item=2961774607&category=8277

It is a 6,8/180 Congo. Now my question: Who is the manufacturer and

where does the lens come from? Is this lens really so supersharp and

so rich of contrast - as described - also in the edges? Is this lens

to compare with any other schneider's or rodenstock's with the same

focal length? The seller wrote that the lens is a Tessar-typ. Isn't

the Tessar an obsolete construction?

I would use it on my Linhof Technika V 6x9. Is this possible or must

i expect some disadvantages?

Thanks for your help and

greetings from Austria,

Martin Czermak

Martin:

See their website for some information: http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/index_e.html

As I recall, most of their designs are Tessars, which does not give you a huge image circle, but they can be quite nice and sharp. For 6x9cm, it should be lots.

Congo makes new multi-coated versions of old Tessar designs. From what I'm told quality control is not very strict and sample variation is more than you'd expect with the big brands. Still, I own a 240/6.3 Congo and love it - mine is very sharp and contrasty. Not much room for movements, but enough for most of my needs in 4x5 and plenty for 6x7.

Guy

Congo lenses are made by a small Japanese family company (Yamasaki Optical), located near Tokyo. I met the current president, a son of the founder, and was told that the old man was a great fan of Africa and that is why he named his lenses 'Congo'.

Most of the lenses are simple 4 element designs, but with modern multicoating. They also have a couple more advanced designs with 6 or so elements. Decent lenses, but I would not compare them with Schneider or Rodenstock, neither in image quality nor in price.