While organizing my Flickr, I noticed that I've uploaded over 700 images taken by the Leitz lens I use the most - the first version of the 35mm f2 Summicron. I've blogged about this lens in the past when it was merely an old user lens, which took very pleasing images.
However, in the recent years, this 8-element lens has caught the attention of aficionados, skyrocketing its value. In fact a reverse engineered version of this lens is being remanufactured in China in limited quantities.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila 2011 Kodan Tri X in Diafine
It's not a razor sharp optic and the corners vignette wide open.
Macau 2014 Fuji Acros in Diafine
Hong Kong 2014 Fuji Acros in Diafine.
I like the way it creates an illusion of a three dimensional image with a smooth bokeh.
Austin Healey "Bugeye" Sprite Kodak Plus X in Diafine 2016
It's sharp enough to capture essential details with good contrast.
Porsche 356 in NYC Ilford FP4+ in Rodinal 2019
Carnegie Hall 2016 Kodak Plus X in Diafine
NYC 2016 Kodak Plus X in Diafine
High Line NYC 2016 Kodak Plus X in Diafine
SoHo NYC 2016 Kodak Plus X in Diafine
Segerstorm PAC 2016 Kodak Plus X in Diafine
Bunker Hill, WV 2017 Fomapan 100 in Rodinal
Toronto 2017 Kodak Plus X in HC110
Kensington Market, Toronto 2017 Fuji Acros in HC110
NYC 2019 Kodak Portra
Color rendition is on the cool and muted side.
New York 2019 Kodak Portra
Subtle tonal gradations are well preserved by this medium contrast lens.
Princeton U 2021 Kodak Portra
NoMad NYC 2018 Fuji Acros in HC110
The technical limitations of this lens contribute to its overall character and charm.
Water Jug 2014 Fuji Acros in Rodinal
Lincoln Center 2019 The Juilliard School (left) + David Geffen Hall (right) Ilford FP4+ in Rodinal
JE Labs LP Collection 2022 Sony A7II
I like how this lens tames a digital sensor, just like I utilize vacuum tubes + transformers to turn a number crunching DAC chip into a musical device.
JE Labs HiFi 2022 Sony A7II
I love seeing the tonal quality of my hifi through this lens.π
To celebrate the holiday season I've prepared a short video. Please note that given the dynamic compression and bandwidth limitations imposed on sound quality by YouTube, I upload videos for the visual aspect rather than their sonic merits.π
So watch how the 720 milliwatts per channel Bonsai Amp is pushed to soft clipping by Tchaikovsky's "Pas de Deux" from "Nutcracker" driving the Altec 753Cs. π
Thank you to all my readers and supporters!
πππWishing everyone happy holidays and a great new year!πππ
It's been over five years since I built this loctal preamp. I moved it recently so that it'd be between my two turntables. In this location, I was surprised by higher-than-usual hum and noise levels emanating from the phono section especially when compared to my RCA octal+ 76 line stage.
Given that it had been playing quietly and flawlessly until it was relocated, I was dumbfounded. Then I noticed that when I put my hand close to either 7F7 tube, the hum and noise got even louder.π€
Before taking the preamp out of the system for a thorough check up on the test bench, I searched for a couple of tube shields from my parts bin.
Before lockdown, Ding promised that he'd introduce me to his friend, Steve Leung, of VAS Audio. He's had his Denon DL103S, Ortofon SL15, Supex SD900, and other classic cartridges re-tipped and repaired by Steve. As the pandemic wound down, I finally got to meet Steve and brought the following MC cartridges for new tips, as well as tonearms for repair at his shop.
My Ortofon SPU GME MKII has had a hard life ever since it was gifted to me by my SETUP buddies in the 90s. It's been on semi-retirement since I acquired an SPU#1s + a late 60s or 70s(?) SPU-G (below) with a low mileage nude mounted conical stylus.
SPU-G
This SPU-G portrays a wider and airier sonic landscape with perhaps a bit more detail compared to my more recent SPU#1s. It also sounds more organic than the GME MKII.
SPU GM(E) MKII - AFTER
I attribute the SPU-G's sonic superiority to the better polished nude mounted conical stylus vs. the bonded conical stylus of the SPU#1s. So I asked Steve to fit his finest nude mounted conical stylus on my GME MKII.
Ortofon SPU GM(E) MKII
Agreeing to my downgrade idea,π Steve may have turned the GME MKII into an SPU-G equivalent of the SPU-A wood. All I know is, it can stand up to my cousin'sSPU Synergy!π
Supex SD900 MKIV
BEFORE
The Koetsu Black and Supex SD900 were my dream cartridges back in the 80s. When I finally found an SD900 I could afford, it sported a ruby cantilever + complex stylus profile upgrade.π Although traces of the classic Supex tonality were still there, it sounded compressed and swamped by dry analytical detail.π
AFTER
I asked Steve to work the same magic on my Supex as he did on Ding's, albeit with a twist. We agreed upon an aluminum cantilever just like the original and I requested for another nude mounted spherical stylus.
SD900 MK IVs (s = spherical)
Steve remarkably transformed the Supex! The harmonic richness and dynamics this classic MC cartridge is known for was restored. To my ears, the SD900's edge over my SPUs and DL103s is its ability to focus and retrieve detail without inducing tinnitus. Because of Steve's phenomenal restomod job, I'm no longer yearning for a Koetsu! π
Being an ardent fan and committed user of the Gray 108viscous damped tonearm and its Japanese clones for monaural hifi applications, I needed to experience a modern iteration of a uni-pivot. This design actually dates back to the late 60s. Scroll down to page 1413 for the review in the Hi-Fi News November 1969 issue. The UA-70 seems to be essentially the same tonearm updated in the 70s with an anti-skate mechanism.
I added the UA-3NL to my collection in early 2018 and paired it with my Thorens TD124 and Sony TTS 2500, respectively. I was going to include this tonearm in my Alfred Bokrand AB309 write-up but one channel dropped out.
When I finally accessed the internal hair-like strands of enameled wire, I realized that repairing it was beyond my DIY abilities.
Similar to the knife-edge bearing'd SME 3012, the Stax presents a mid to back row concert hall perspective, which is an atmospheric experience without any loss of detail. Although I've used it satisfactorily with the SPU#1S, it brings out the best from cartridges that track in the 1.5 > 2.5 gram range. Just like the SME 3012, the UA-3NL may not appeal to listeners who favor a front row seat/kick drum on your chest presentation.
Thanks to Steve's skill and nimble hands, I'm enjoying my UA-3NL again!
So I took out my ancient Cart-Align protractor, did some measurements with my Ortofon SPU#1s cartridge attached and got a pivot to spindle distance of 223mm. I haven't had any problems with cartridges I installed conforming to the SPU's overhang.
It's equipped with a non-standard 4-pin connector in which the negative phase of the right channel is internally grounded. This limits its use to the stock plastic head shell. In an effort to make it compatible with modern metal head shells, I successfully detached the 4 pin connector at the base of the tonearm pillar. It turns out the ground connection was near the head shell collet, which I couldn't remove. Instead of risking damage, I relied on Steve's expertise.
The design may have been inspired by the Ortofon SMG212 and SKG212 with added Japanese innovations. It is quite massive and can easily balance a 30+ gram SPU. So far the lightest cartridge/head shell combo I used successfully was 19.5 grams. Given its high tolerance bearings, it's an ideal partner to the Denon DL103, Ortofon SPU, and similar low compliance cartridges. Consider this as an excellent alternative to the classic Ortofon AS/RM/SK/SMG 212 series tonearms especially if you prefer the svelte proportions of a compact plinth!
iPhone video clips of the MC cartridges and tonearms in action
Classic cameras are regular guests at radio shows and hamfests. However, this is a rare and unusual 35mm rangefinder camera outfit from the 40s - the Kodak Ektra! As the link explains, it was a very sophisticated design for its time but the shutter was very unreliable. Its Contax and Leica contemporaries were much better!
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