Leitz 28mm f/6.3 Hektor Review

[@euroyank860]

The postwar edition coated and it shines on the M10 Mono, believe me

[@janjasiewicz9851]

My oldest lens is a 1941 Karl Zeiss 50mm f1.5 Sonnar lens for my Contax iiia and iia. It had military lens coating. It is a sublime lens.

[@WayneKnight_Rider]

Another great review Max. You're among the best.

[@michkar2192]

"they are really beautiful of course" - yeah, the most beautiful lens in existance in my opinion. At some point I'd like to rent one and spend an afternoon. Thanks for this beautiful and detailed look, I enjoyed the first review too!

[@jimsimon5706]

Thanks Max (and Jules). I deliberately sought out the uncoated lenses from this period, and have a 35mm Elmar which, with sympathetic development, makes lovely images. Always go for Tri-X in HC-110. Would really like the 35mm Elmar to be worked through your process! Anyway, thanks again.

[@d30gaijin]

Excellent video. Thank you. So nice to see an in-depth hands on review of the 28mm Hektor. I bought my copy back in the early 2000's for US$200. from a local camera store. They didn't know what they had.😎 Mine is chrome made in 1939 so uncoated. I was only able to buy the lens and Bakelite lens case and have never come across an original viewfinder, yet. I enjoy using mine on my Leica M Type 262 digital M camera.

[@t-money561]

lovely shots

[@kurocamera]

Great video! It's worth mentioning this lens (& all other Leica lenses from the 1930s) gain a new life with the Monochrom. It renders beautifully on that sensor & the f6.3 is not a big issue with high ISO capabilities. Thank you for reviewing it, and I hope one day you can review the first two 35mm film lenses, the amazing Elmar 50mm (uncoated version) & the Elmar 35mm...two of my favorite lenses with almost 100y old optical designs.

[@NicosPhotographyShow]

Fully agree!

[@d30gaijin]

I also agree. I have both of those lenses as well as the 50mm f/2.5 Hektor and the 73mm f/1.9 Hektor. Lots of fun to use the old lenses on modern digital cameras.

[@jestintzi]

Elmar 35mm is definitely brushed away too often by folks, especially as it’s so freaking small (like this one)

[@anthonymiller8979]

@@jestintzi Just got the 35mm Elmar, tiny, quite sharp and mine is rather contrasty. Love to add a 28mm Hektor and would not need any other 28mm or 35mm lens.

[@jestintzi]

@@anthonymiller8979 oh it'd be a dream to have a hektor! If I ever win the lottery. I love my 35 elmar, and am glad I gave it a try when I found one.

[@deminkj]

Thank you for this review! I've got a 1950 version that I've been waiting to test out on an M3 for far too long. Now I can't wait to get it out in the field.

[@barrycohen311]

Nice review. My oldest Leica lens is a 1949 Elmar 50mm f/3.5 collapsible. Still shoots great.

[@northstar1950]

Years ago in the film age these images would probably been improved by printing them, in the dark room, on a 'hard paper' and so adding a little post processing contrast digitally is really the same thing. They are rather nice images anyway, they remind me of photos I have taken with some of the old Elmars.

[@karinmuhlberger7069]

Max, it‘s another great and excellent video👍

[@NicosPhotographyShow]

Lovely review, I own the Summaron and its also beautiful in b&w.

[@yy-fz5lv]

This lens is the most beautiful. I need to have a day with one of them.

[@marcp.1752]

Excellent presentation, Max ! Another quality video from my fave channel since 2016 here, even i am not interested into M lenses, since i don't own a Leica rangefinder. :)

[@chiefdispatcher]

With this lens, modernity becomes antiquity. It's like a time machine, only in the past.

[@stuartcarden1371]

Hi Max - Sorry, youtube wasn't sending me your videos. I hope it's not an issue for the rest of your subscribers. Wonderful video as always :)

[@byok.lighting]

Danke Euch, schöner Bericht.Habe das Hektor und kann alle Eure Bewertungen bestätigen.

[@john_murch]

A friend of mine went to Germany and bought this lens a few years ago and paired it with his Leica M Type 240, the "fat" Leica. The smallest Leica lens on the fattest Leica M body. I got to play with it a bit, really nice and small cool lens!

[@robotwaflle]

What mount adapter did he use?

[@ndhdernbach]

This video comes at the right time when I am getting sick of wide open shootings…

[@LukeTaylorPhotography]

Great review and an interesting lens... I've been shooting the much newer TTartisan 28mm f5.6 and I'm really enjoying it.

[@d30gaijin]

If you get a chance try the 7 Artisans 28mm f/5.6. I have both the TTartisan and the 7 Artisans 28mm lenses and they are quite different in character. I wouldn't say one is better than the other, just rather different.

[@_H_2023]

The beauty of today is we can afford many lenses and tend to compare each of them which we shouldn't really do as each lens produces it's own characteristics. Photographers in the 30s/40s would most probably have had one or two lenses and so knew the lenses strengths to achieve the correct type of image they were looking for. Don't forget sharpness was only a desire after WWII before that using silver nitrate and Dichromate would have naturally softened the image. The Canon Serena L39/M39 50mm f1.9 is my favourite lens but I also prefer uncoated lenses over coated ie my early Leica lenses.

[@adriantang5811]

Thanks for your sharing!

[@Blackmind0]

..super interessante Geschichte, .... und super schöne Brille... 🙂 lg BM

[@janjasiewicz9851]

Max excellent video! Unless you have the book - may I recommend a great book that you would enjoy "Augen Auf! 100 Jahre Leica. (Eyes Open! 100 Years of Leica"). The book outlines in detail the decision making process to put the Leica in production despite difficult economic conditions. Very fascinating and in retrospect it was a stroke of genius...Ernst Leitz was a very a thoughtful boss - he sought opinions of everyone when he made the decision during the fateful meeting in June 2024. The book outlines those that thought it was was risky (August Bauer, the production manager) and those who thought it should be produced. But once Leitz made the decision to go ahead..everyone went full board...btw apparently Hector is named after Berek's dog...

[@randyshanofsky9903]

Hello Max, Another great video. I understand that this lens couples to your M6 with the Urth adapter, but I'm curious if the lens can also be focused with the rangefinder in this configuration. Thank you for your reply, and keep up the great work!

[@AnalogInsights]

Yes, it can be focused with the rangefinder in that setup. Works wonderful.

[@randyshanofsky9903]

@@AnalogInsights Thank you!

[@inahaase889]

Schöner Film, habt Ihr gut gemacht.❤😎

[@elderinmoi1571]

Leica lenses have always been something special. That is why the company is renowned so well in the world today. This 28mm is no exception. How many lenses this old still operate this good ? Only Leica still builds lenses to this high standard. In comparison all the rest will just be electronic garbage someday in the future.

[@erichstocker8358]

Not a lens that I would like. However, as always I enjoy your reviews which are focused on the photos that are taken rather than lp/mm or some other metric, Thanks!

[@kenandersson8777]

Interesting video as usual. I have a Russian Orion 28mm f6 that must be a copy of the Hector. It shoots the same kind of vintage images.

[@alexanderkraus8112]

The Orion-15 is a variant of the Zeiss Topogon f:4.0/25mm and consists of 4 elements in four groups.

[@kenandersson8777]

@@alexanderkraus8112 thanks Alexander!

[@juanmcmahon7765]

Great video. Do you refix your P3200? I understand you can do it.

[@AnalogInsights]

No, I did not but have the same understanding.

[@robotwaflle]

What lens mount adapter did you use? Looking to mount to my m262

[@AnalogInsights]

An Urth adapter. There is a short video on that on the channel if you are interested.

[@robotwaflle]

@@AnalogInsights Thank you for the quick reply!

[@jameshsu8461]

What is the name of the book with Leica lens illustration? Thanks

[@AnalogInsights]

I think that was from “The Leica Collectors Guide” by Hove Camera Foto Books. Hope this helps. Best, Max

[@DoctorMikeReddy]

What is the book you show at 0:19 ?

[@DoctorMikeReddy]

Is it the Leica Collector’s Guide, shown at 4:24 ?

[@jasongold6751]

It's tiny and quite old! I seen one many years ago. It too had problems with contrast, as does my 50mm f2 Collapsible Summicron. Check it is clean in the optics! There can be dust, pieces of paint? from aperture blades! Pro clean! You may have a surprise. Contrast easy to boost. For me, one of newer lenses, made in this way, a better solution.

[@johnsomers8269]

Do have a way I could email you? I have a developer formula for the Adox fine grain, slow speed film. The developer would allow using the film at an ISO of 64-80 with smooth tonality maintaining th film ultra fine grain.

[@AnalogInsights]

Sure, you can find a contact in the about section of the channel.

[@odukar2315]

I agree with your conclusions, however, I noticed some hard grain. Didn't you develop the Delta 400 with your favourable Spur Acurol?

[@HBV1322]

👍👍👋👋

[@tomw3241]

i am always strugglin' to understand the very first word he is saying. could somebody please help me?

[@williar1961]

He is saying hello

[@AnalogInsights]

Hello and welcome to analog insights. ;)

[@johndandrea3194]

Excellent review as always! With my newly acquired Leica MP, I’m always in search of that next marvel of a lens. Analog Insights always delivers. Thank you!

[@shoefantasia1412]

Excellent!

[@scottparis6355]

As a practical matter, you'd be much better off with any of the Voightlander 28mm lenses.

[@d30gaijin]

He stated that clearly in the video. The 28mm Hektor is not for everyone but rather for those of us who enjoy vintage.