Hektor 28mm F6.3

Arthurwg · May 25, 2021

I'm in the market for a wide angle lens to fit my LTM cameras. I'm favoring 28mm because I can also use it on my M6, with an adapter. But I'm wondering if it makes any sense to buy a Hektor 28mm F6.3 for $1000.00 or more, considering that it is a rather poor performer. Indeed, my initial desire was for a Leica lens so I can get the full Leica experience rather than buy a Japanese alternative. From what I've seen the Hektor flares very easily, and has difficulty controlling the highlights under virtually all conditions. Clearly this lens can't compete with a Nikon, Canon, VC or Avenon alternative, unless you want the so-called "Leica Glow." So again, does it make sense?

Huss · May 25, 2021

No. Get the Orion 15 28mm f6. Killer lens, and it is about $250.

ciniframe · May 25, 2021

Not sure what the "full Leica experience" is.
Is that where your pictures look the same as before you bought Leica lenses, .....but you pockets are empty.

Arthurwg · May 26, 2021

ciniframe said:
Not sure what the "full Leica experience" is.
Is that where your pictures look the same as before you bought Leica lenses, .....but you pockets are empty.

Not exactly. Just using a Leica camera with a Leica lens. In this case producing a vintage "Leica" look that is guaranteed by the Hektor lens. .

ic-racer · May 26, 2021

I thought the only reason to own a Leica body was to mount Leica lenses. Tests I have seen show improved contrast of Leica lenses over other 1970s lenses.

Arthurwg · May 26, 2021

Since starting with an M3 in 1974 and working my way to an M4 and an M6, I've owned lots of Leica lenses. Wish I had them today as the are worth a fortune. Now I'm working backwards with an IIIF and a Ic, using an Elmar and a Summar. For sure the Summar gives the Leica "experience."

Luis-F-S · May 26, 2021

Sure go for it! You’ve already made up your mind anyway.

Paul Howell · May 26, 2021

In the early 70s I bought a IIIG, came with 50 and the 28 6.3 which I sold and bought a Canon 28 3.5 as I needed speed, later found a Minolta 35 1.8, one of the best lens I've ever used. The Canon is a fine performer, but if loss of speed is not an issue you will likely really like the Hektor

Saganich · May 26, 2021

Arthurwg said:
Since starting with an M3 in 1974 and working my way to an M4 and an M6, I've owned lots of Leica lenses. Wish I had them today as the are worth a fortune. Now I'm working backwards with an IIIF and a Ic, using an Elmar and a Summar. For sure the Summar gives the Leica "experience."

Ha, I have two Summar's, one for the Leica experience with a nice glow and one for the Leica on mushrooms experience. The trouble with these older lenses is it's difficult to get a good one and not as easy to clean/defog as often claimed. The only one I would consider purchasing for a high price is the Super Angulon 21 f4 ltm. I currently have a Canon 28 /3.5 ltm, which serves my wide-angle needs well enough.

gone · May 26, 2021

Arthurwg said:
But I'm wondering if it makes any sense to buy a Hektor 28mm F6.3 for $1000.00 or more, considering that it is a rather poor performer.

I think you've possibly answered your question there

I've wrote about this before, but I had a Summar that was awful. Took photos worse than a Holga. Sent it to John at Focal Point Optics here in the US, and it came back one of the sharpest lenses I've ever owned. He had to take the elements apart to get the haze off and re-cement them. Tends to run a lot of money, so best to buy a lens that is clean, or easy to get cleaned.

Huss · May 26, 2021

ic-racer said:
I thought the only reason to own a Leica body was to mount Leica lenses. Tests I have seen show improved contrast of Leica lenses over other 1970s lenses.
View attachment 275492

Your chart is for a Summilux 50. A super lens.

Not the 28mm 6.3 Hektor we are talking about.

E. von Hoegh · May 26, 2021

Arthurwg said:
Not exactly. Just using a Leica camera with a Leica lens. In this case producing a vintage "Leica" look that is guaranteed by the Hektor lens. .

If you get the Hektor, don't have it cleaned of lubricant haze or anything; If you do, you'll lose that special "look".

Arthurwg · May 27, 2021

I have a feeling it will have that "look" anyway. Remember, the designer named the lens after his Dog.

btaylor · May 27, 2021

Huss said:
Get the Orion 15 28mm f6. Killer lens, and it is about $250.

Does the Orion 15 ltm focus properly screwed on to the Leica? I know the focus helicoids differed between the FSU and German lenses- but like the Contax and Nikon RF’s maybe it matters less with WA lenses? Even though the FFD becomes more critical the wider you go.

btaylor · May 27, 2021

ciniframe said:
the "full Leica experience"
Is that where your pictures look the same as before you bought Leica lenses, .....but your pockets are empty.

Okay, nice one. I can’t help it, I am a bit of a gear head- so this, for me, has the ring of truth.

Huss · May 27, 2021

btaylor said:
Does the Orion 15 ltm focus properly screwed on to the Leica? I know the focus helicoids differed between the FSU and German lenses- but like the Contax and Nikon RF’s maybe it matters less with WA lenses? Even though the FFD becomes more critical the wider you go.

No issues focusing on my M7. Obviously using an LTM-M adapter.

maddoc2021jp · May 31, 2021

I have a Hektor 28/6.3 (DAG serviced), a W-Nikkor 2.8 cm f/3.5, and a Konica-Hexanon-M 28/2.8 (or similar name). The Hector easily outperforms the W-Nikkor regarding contrast and center sharpness. The Konica is a class whole class above. I like the size of the Hector, makes for a small package when combined with a coll. lens.

Hektor 2.8 cm * DELTA3200 * Leica IID

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2cELpVH]

201809-04-II-DELTA3200-SUMMAR-28HEK-28 copy by Gabor Samjeske, on Flickr[/URL]

Huss · May 31, 2021

M7, Orion 15, Silberra Orta

Arthurwg · Jun 1, 2021

Love the Orion picture. Thanks Huss.

NB23 · Jun 1, 2021

Arthurwg said:
Not exactly. Just using a Leica camera with a Leica lens. In this case producing a vintage "Leica" look that is guaranteed by the Hektor lens. .

You have clearly fell for the Leica marketing/fetish.
The “vintage leica look” is absolutely undescribable and impossible to discern between 2 prints, let alone 3. Imagine 4!

I’m a Leica nut, but that’s a fetish. Nothing to do with the look since, even after 20,000 darkroom prints in just one year I still can’t tell which is Leica and which isn’t.

Arthurwg · Jun 1, 2021

I’m a Leica nut, but that’s a fetish. Nothing to do with the look since, even after 20,000 darkroom prints in just one year I still can’t tell which is Leica and which isn’t.[/QUOTE]

You can't be using a Hektor or a Summar.

NB23 · Jun 1, 2021

Arthurwg said:
I’m a Leica nut, but that’s a fetish. Nothing to do with the look since, even after 20,000 darkroom prints in just one year I still can’t tell which is Leica and which isn’t.

actually, a few lenses I can tell apart such as the summaron 28 that I really like. But then, I also can recognize a minolta 28mm f2.8 mc for color work, and my rolleiflexes, cords... in the end it’s all a big wash. I use the stuff because I like the heavy metal feel.

Oldwino · Jun 1, 2021

For $1000 you should be able to find one of the last year produced Hektor 2.8cm. In the final year, they were coated, and had "normal" f-stop designations. These don't flare so easily, have better contrast, and still a ton of character. Very sharp in the very center, then it all kinda goes "weird". I use mine fairly often - it's tiny and light.
The Summaron 28 is similar, but they tamed the weirdness, a bit.

sfphoto · Jun 4, 2021

Arthurwg said:
I'm in the market for a wide angle lens to fit my LTM cameras.

My fave is the Canon 25f3.5

My past add'l wide LTM lineup: 12 & 15 Voigt; 21/4 SA; 25 Nikkor; 25/4 Voigt, 28/35 Voigt; 28 Canon (several versions).
(a 35mm lens for me is normal, a 28 barely wide)

If you are considering a 28mm then 21 and wider would be way to wide so I will comment on the 25 & 28 focal lengths.
25 Canon - image characteristics like the 21/4 SA (the 21/3,4 has a more modern look)
25 Nikkor - similar to the above but slower and not as sharp at larger f-stops
25 Voigt - my second choice to the Canon and perhaps first if you use filters a lot (the Canon is 40mm)
28 Voigt - IMO the best LTM 28
28 Canon - the early ones leave something to be desired, latest modes for the 7s are super
28 Nikkor - these, like their 25 are an old design like the early Canon lenses, the 7s lenses were a newer 70's design

Hope this helps!

Arthurwg · Jun 5, 2021

Great picture. Yes, that helps. I'm after a 28mm because I want to use it on my M6 as well, although I would enjoy a 25 or 21. I have a 35mm on my M6 which I consider very boring.

Hektor 28mm F6.3

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