[Theme] Df (D750)+ Rodenstock Heligon 100mm f/1.6

[Frank Fremerey]

Charlie: Your results are graphical and visionary. I love them!

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Te results from using this lens I see here are just awesome. I have googled this lens and got next to nothing. No idea where to look for it. Perhaps you have better chance to find one in Europe?

A quick search on eBay using "Rodenstock Heligon" brought up 100+ lenses. Not all are desirable for photographic purposes though, so one has to be selective. The famous one of course is the 50/0.75 of which there are two models, designated TV- and XR-Heligon, respectively. An image intensifier setup probably used TV + XR in combination, but for our wicked 'need for speed' assignments, either will do.

I didn't notice any f/1.6 among the 100 mm class, just the f/1.5. Erik and I will see what can be done in terms of adaptation of that one during this weekend.

[charlie]

Frank, thank you for the kind words!

Alex, here is a link to a 100mm Heligon on ebay. Although it does not state that it is an f/1.6 lens in the listing or on the lens itself, I was under the impression that it is the f/1.6 model. I'm not sure if that is that same variant that others here are using but it is identical to the lens I own and can confirm it will focus as far as approximately 30 inches when held to a Nikon F mount flange, I used it to make the images posted in post #180 & #181. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OPTICAL-LENS-RODENSTOCK-HELIGON-GERMANY-LASER-OPTICS-FL-100-mm-NICE-BIN-S9-V-01-/262128553196?hash=item3d08144cec:g:-0IAAOSwstxVNQO0

Bjørn, I look forward to your findings. One of the f/1.5 variants is the same lens I dissected in search of infinity focus. I'm curious, have you used the Heligon 42mm f/.75 lenses? I own one, and a Kowa version, but haven't used them in years. If I remember correctly they only focus about 3 inches from the front element.

[Alex Cejka]

A quick search on eBay using "Rodenstock Heligon" brought up 100+ lenses. Not all are desirable for photographic purposes though, so one has to be selective. The famous one of course is the 50/0.75 of which there are two models, designated TV- and XR-Heligon, respectively. An image intensifier setup probably used TV + XR in combination, but for our wicked 'need for speed' assignments, either will do.

I didn't notice any f/1.6 among the 100 mm class, just the f/1.5. Erik and I will see what can be done in terms of adaptation of that one during this weekend.

Thanks for your reply Bjorn! I was specifically googling RODENSTOCK HELIGON  100/1.6; the eBay did not showed up in my search. I am not big fan of the eBay but if nowhere else avail I will check it out.

Also thank you Charlie for the link. At the moment I am not even sure what exactly to look for so it helps!

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Alex: the 'laser' lens is not the correct one you are searching for.

Do note there is a 95 mm f/1.4 that also shares much of the properties of the 100/1.6, including the ability to focus further away the the 'near-sighted' 100/1.5

Charles: I used the 42/0.75 to some extent many years ago, but tired of it as you are locked into the near range all the time.

[Alex Cejka]

Bjorn: I found the 95mm/1.4 converted to F mount for $200US. Is that a good price?

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Depends on whose perspective you consider... seller or buyer ...

This is again one of the heavy Heligons so beware of shipping costs.

[charlie]

Alex: the 'laser' lens is not the correct one you are searching for.

I wonder what the differences are. Like I stated, it is the lens I use and it behaves very similarly to the provided examples here. It is also the lens Mikes uses (shown in post #168), and appears to be the same Jan Anne uses (post #23) as well.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Rodenstock makes a series of 'laser' lenses that are designed for a single narrow-band spectral range. At least some of these create wild chromatic aberrations.

One should not be fooled by the external appearance only as many models have lens barrels designated for interfacing with some specialised hardware. So different shapes exist for the very same optic.

[chris dees]

Got some time yesterday with Jakov's wonderlens.
It's very difficult to handhold this lens, so the results are not as sharp as I would like.
One without PN-11 and one with. Same subject.
What a cream machine.
Another lens on the wish-list.

[Thomas G]

Got some time yesterday with Jakov's wonderlens.
It's very difficult to handhold this lens, so the results are not as sharp as I would like.
One without PN-11 and one with. Same subject.
What a cream machine.
Another lens on the wish-list.

The second image is about to tease me on these lenses... 

[chris dees]

Frank, thank you for the kind words!

Alex, here is a link to a 100mm Heligon on ebay. Although it does not state that it is an f/1.6 lens in the listing or on the lens itself, I was under the impression that it is the f/1.6 model. I'm not sure if that is that same variant that others here are using but it is identical to the lens I own and can confirm it will focus as far as approximately 30 inches when held to a Nikon F mount flange, I used it to make the images posted in post #180 & #181. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OPTICAL-LENS-RODENSTOCK-HELIGON-GERMANY-LASER-OPTICS-FL-100-mm-NICE-BIN-S9-V-01-/262128553196?hash=item3d08144cec:g:-0IAAOSwstxVNQO0

Bjørn, I look forward to your findings. One of the f/1.5 variants is the same lens I dissected in search of infinity focus. I'm curious, have you used the Heligon 42mm f/.75 lenses? I own one, and a Kowa version, but haven't used them in years. If I remember correctly they only focus about 3 inches from the front element.

According to the listing he has stil 7 copies available, so I think you can get one for a (little) lower price.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

I think perhaps bringing some Heligons to a big NG gathering and then have a raffle sales is a good idea? Scotland perhaps?

I consider getting rid of some.

[Jakov Minić]

I will gladly participate if you chip in a coastal optics

[chris dees]

I can wait until then.
I don't know enough of this lens to buy it from eBay.