> 139's are easy to find on eBay but almost always require extensive cleaning, lube, and adjustment. Older serial numbers are a poor gamble. I had the great good fortune to find a 139 with serial number above 200000 which appeared to be new in the box! I also recently had my own original 139 cleaned and re-foamed. I've had it for 25 years, and it works perfectly. On another tack, the camera I had the most fun with using the 45 Tessar is the AX. I put the anniversary Tessar, which is MM, on it and used it as an autofocus, programmed-exposure point-and-shoot. It has to be the world's largest point-and-shoot! But it worked beautifully. --Gary
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Pancake 45mm Tessar any made in Germany
- Thread starter grumpoid
- Start date
jsmisc
Well-Known Member
How fantastic to find a 139 in such condition. I must keep my eyes open although I expect that such opportunities are few and far between.
I have never used the AX but have heard good reports about it. Great idea to use the 45 on it.
When I mentioned the flash on my 139, I think it was the flash confirmation light in the viewfinder that stopped working. I don't use flash very often so it wasn't a tremendous drawback.
I have never used the AX but have heard good reports about it. Great idea to use the 45 on it.
When I mentioned the flash on my 139, I think it was the flash confirmation light in the viewfinder that stopped working. I don't use flash very often so it wasn't a tremendous drawback.