left – the Hobart Centair lens and right – the Leitz Elmar 50mm f/3.5
Toronto. …Tasmanian Leica Lens? In celebration of our 25th anniversary, editor Bob Lansdale cajoled the editors of our exchange journals to offer up an article for Photographic Canadiana.
Ray Moss of the LHSA submitted Chris Kok’s article, “The Tasmanian Leica Lens”. a very rare copy of the famous 50mm f/3.5 Elmar.
Chis begins, “Yes indeed, a copy of the famous 50mm f3.5 Elmar was made in Australia by the Waterworth Company of Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. The Waterworth Company was founded in Hobart for the purpose of manufacturing military optical products such as gunsights and weapon rangefinders for the Australian army during the Second World War. However, it is not commonly known that they made a camera lens in Leica screw-mount known as the “Centair”.
“The exact optic formula and layout of this lens is unknown but its external appearance has a close resemblance to that of the Leica Elmar except that its mount is not collapsible.
“It is unknown as to how many Centair lenses were actually made but they must be quite limited in number. The sample I have is no. 133; no. 171 has been published in an Australian Journal. A closer comparison of the sample that I have with that shown in the Journal reveals several external differences regarding the aperture adjustment ring, the shape of the lens barrel and the style of the engraving.
“I have tested the performance of the Centair lens and, to my surprise, I find the lens extremely soft but excellent for portraits (contrary to one’s expectation of military optics which are usually sharp and hard). The sharpness of my lens probably could be improved by a thorough cleaning but I quite like the way it is now.” …
All of Chris Kok’s illustrated article is available in the issue 25-4 pdf file on the free members’ only DVD/thumb drive. Details on joining are found above and to the right. Membership questions may be emailed to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.
