Difference between revisions of "Ludwig"

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==History==
 
==History==
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/uwe_kulick/50887080303/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50887080303_b95aa1f1ca_m_d.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= [[teleconverter]] ''Konverter 2×'' for [[M42]] lenses
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|image_by= Uwe Kulick
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
 
'''Optisches Werk Ernst Ludwig''' (Optical Factory Ernst Ludwig) company was grounded in 1924 in Lausa near Dresden, after Ernst Ludwig had acquired an optical glass factory. The company was making affordable lenses for medium class amateur cameras, named Enoldar, Peronar and Victar. E.g. the Victar series included triplet lenses of focal lengths from 25 to 135 mm, intended as fixed lenses as well as interchangeable ones for reflex cameras. In 1936 Ludwig was employing more than 70 workers. The town of Lausa merged with the neighbour town of Weixdorf in 1938, some prewar lenses were thus marked ''Ludwig Lausa Dresden''.<br>
 
'''Optisches Werk Ernst Ludwig''' (Optical Factory Ernst Ludwig) company was grounded in 1924 in Lausa near Dresden, after Ernst Ludwig had acquired an optical glass factory. The company was making affordable lenses for medium class amateur cameras, named Enoldar, Peronar and Victar. E.g. the Victar series included triplet lenses of focal lengths from 25 to 135 mm, intended as fixed lenses as well as interchangeable ones for reflex cameras. In 1936 Ludwig was employing more than 70 workers. The town of Lausa merged with the neighbour town of Weixdorf in 1938, some prewar lenses were thus marked ''Ludwig Lausa Dresden''.<br>
−
The company was still led by Ernst Ludwig after 1945 and Meritar family of lenses (45 mm and 50 mm) was developed in this period. 16 per cent of shares were acquired by the state in 1959, while Ludwig headed the company further, until 1968. The company, having already 130 employees, became the state owned '''VEB Optisches Werk''' Weixdorf in 1972 and was headed by Peter Heizler. In 1980 it was absorbed by the VEB [[Pentacon]].
+
The company was still led by Ernst Ludwig after 1945 and Meritar family of lenses (45 mm and 50 mm) was developed in this period. 16 per cent of shares were acquired by the state in 1959, while Ludwig headed the company further, until 1968. The company, having already 130 employees, became the state owned '''VEB Optisches Werk Weixdorf''' in 1972 and was headed by Peter Heizler. In 1980 it was absorbed by the VEB [[Pentacon]].
  
 
==Lenses==
 
==Lenses==
 
Ludwig made entry level lenses, often with three elements. After the war, they were offered as a low price alternative to the [[Carl Zeiss Jena]] or [[Meyer]] lenses.
 
Ludwig made entry level lenses, often with three elements. After the war, they were offered as a low price alternative to the [[Carl Zeiss Jena]] or [[Meyer]] lenses.
 
Some trademarks used for Ludwig lenses include:
 
Some trademarks used for Ludwig lenses include:
−
 
+
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/9398845488/in/pool-camerawiki/
 +
|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/7315/9398845488_15ba6673ba_m.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Enoldar Anastigmat on [[Korelle strut-folding cameras|Korelle P]]
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|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
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|image_rights= wp
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}}{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/listenwave/45668935645/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/7811/45668935645_313336b5d5_m.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= [[Anastigmat]] >Victar< on [[Weltax|Welta Weltax]]
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|image_by= Foveonyc
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
 
* Auxanar (simple triplet, enlarger lens)
 
* Auxanar (simple triplet, enlarger lens)
 
* Cosmar (five element triplet with cemented first and third groups)
 
* Cosmar (five element triplet with cemented first and third groups)
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* Victar (simple triplet)
 
* Victar (simple triplet)
 
* Vidar
 
* Vidar
−
 
  
 
==Cameras==
 
==Cameras==
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* [[Belca Beltica]] - Meritar 2.9/50 mm
 
* [[Belca Beltica]] - Meritar 2.9/50 mm
 
* [[Certo KN 35]] - Kosmar 2.8/45 and Meritar 2.8/45 alternatively
 
* [[Certo KN 35]] - Kosmar 2.8/45 and Meritar 2.8/45 alternatively
−
* Exa - Meritar 2.9/50 mm (bayonet mount)
+
* Exa and Exakta - Meritar 2.9/50 mm (bayonet mount)
 +
* [[Korelle (3x4)]] - Vidar 1:4.5 f=5cm or Victar 1:2.9 f=5cm
 
* [[Minifex]]
 
* [[Minifex]]
 +
* [[Noviflex]] - f/3.5 Victar
 
* [[Praktiflex]] Victar 5 cm f/3.5 or Victar-Anastigmat 5 cm f/2.9
 
* [[Praktiflex]] Victar 5 cm f/3.5 or Victar-Anastigmat 5 cm f/2.9
 
* [[Precisa]] - Meritar 3.5/75 mm
 
* [[Precisa]] - Meritar 3.5/75 mm
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''See their [[Exakta lenses#Ludwig|Exakta lenses]], [[42mm screw lenses#Ludwig|42mm screw lenses]] and [[Praktiflex lenses#Ludwig|Praktiflex lenses]].''
 
''See their [[Exakta lenses#Ludwig|Exakta lenses]], [[42mm screw lenses#Ludwig|42mm screw lenses]] and [[Praktiflex lenses#Ludwig|Praktiflex lenses]].''
  
 +
==Serial Numbers==
 +
The following serial number sequence was derived from information provided here <ref>[https://photobutmore.de/exakta/objektive/ludwig/ Ludwig lenses] at [https://photobutmore.de Photobutmore (in German)]</ref> and validated/adjusted by own research. The numbers given should be only regarded a rough guideline:
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/uwe_kulick/53530061267/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53530061267_ef0664e844_n_d.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= <small>Meritar 2.9/50 (ca. 1959?) attached to<br/>[[Sony Alpha NEX-5|NEX-5]] by means of Exakta-NEX [[adapter]]</small>
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|image_by= Uwe Kulick
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|image_rights= (c)
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}}
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{| class="wikitable floatleft"
 +
|-
 +
! Year !! Serial nº
 +
|-
 +
|1934 || 100,000
 +
|-
 +
|1936 || 300,000
 +
|-
 +
|1938 || 400,000
 +
|-
 +
|1940 || 500,000
 +
|-
 +
|1947 || 505,000
 +
|-
 +
|1951 || 750,000
 +
|-
 +
|1953 || 900,000
 +
|-
 +
|1955 || 1,025,000
 +
|-
 +
|1957 || 1,150,000
 +
|-
 +
|1963 || 1,450,000
 +
|-
 +
|1972 || 1,650,000
 +
|}{{brr}}{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/vagn49/17111211588/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/7675/17111211588_5070a8591d_n_d.jpg
 +
|image_align= right
 +
|image_text= <small>[[Korelle (3x4)]] with Vidar lens
 +
|image_by= Vagn1949
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|image_rights= nc
 +
}}{{brl}}
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
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In English:
 
In English:
−
* [http://captjack.exaktaphile.com/Ludwig%20Page.htm The Ludwig Exakta lenses at Captain Jack's site]
+
* [http://exaktaphile.net/captjack/Ludwig%20Page.htm The Ludwig Exakta lenses] at [http://exaktaphile.net/captjack/ Captain Jack's site]
  
 
In German:
 
In German:
−
* [http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/firmengeschichte/firmen/firmen.html Company history] at [http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/ dresdner-kameras.de]
+
* [http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/firmengeschichte/firmen/firmen.html#Ludwig Company history] at [http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/ dresdner-kameras.de]
  
  
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[[Category: East Germany]]
 
[[Category: East Germany]]
 
[[Category: L]]
 
[[Category: L]]
−
[[Category: Ludwig|*]]
+
[[Category: Serial numbers]]

Latest revision as of 21:32, 15 February 2024

Camera industry in Dresden
Balda | Certo | Eho-Altissa | Eichapfel | Ernemann | Feinmess | Heyde | Hamaphot | Huth | Hüttig | ICA | Ihagee | Kochmann | Kerman | KW | Eugen Loeber | Ludwig | Mentor | Merkel | Meyer | Mimosa | Pentacon | Richter | Sommer | Stübiger | Unger & Hoffmann | Werner | Wünsche | Zeiss Ikon | Zeh
Camera distributors in Dresden
Stöckig
Camera industry in Freital
Beier | Pouva | Stein & Binnewerg | Thowe | Welta


2108733131_ce208f14c6_m.jpg
Anastigmat Victar 5cm/2.9 on Praktiflex
image by botakjay (Image rights)
4504246885_f9167aaf70_m.jpg
Ludwig Meritar on Beirette V
image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)


Ludwig or Ernst Ludwig was a German optical company based at Lausa, a small town near Dresden.


History

50887080303_b95aa1f1ca_m_d.jpg
teleconverter Konverter 2× for M42 lenses
image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)

Optisches Werk Ernst Ludwig (Optical Factory Ernst Ludwig) company was grounded in 1924 in Lausa near Dresden, after Ernst Ludwig had acquired an optical glass factory. The company was making affordable lenses for medium class amateur cameras, named Enoldar, Peronar and Victar. E.g. the Victar series included triplet lenses of focal lengths from 25 to 135 mm, intended as fixed lenses as well as interchangeable ones for reflex cameras. In 1936 Ludwig was employing more than 70 workers. The town of Lausa merged with the neighbour town of Weixdorf in 1938, some prewar lenses were thus marked Ludwig Lausa Dresden.
The company was still led by Ernst Ludwig after 1945 and Meritar family of lenses (45 mm and 50 mm) was developed in this period. 16 per cent of shares were acquired by the state in 1959, while Ludwig headed the company further, until 1968. The company, having already 130 employees, became the state owned VEB Optisches Werk Weixdorf in 1972 and was headed by Peter Heizler. In 1980 it was absorbed by the VEB Pentacon.

Lenses

Ludwig made entry level lenses, often with three elements. After the war, they were offered as a low price alternative to the Carl Zeiss Jena or Meyer lenses. Some trademarks used for Ludwig lenses include:

9398845488_15ba6673ba_m.jpg
Enoldar Anastigmat on Korelle P
image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)
45668935645_313336b5d5_m.jpg
Anastigmat >Victar< on Welta Weltax
image by Foveonyc (Image rights)
  • Auxanar (simple triplet, enlarger lens)
  • Cosmar (five element triplet with cemented first and third groups)
  • Enoldar
  • Kosmar (four element triplet with cemented front group)
  • Meritar (simple triplet or a Tessar type)[1]
  • Peronar
  • Victar (simple triplet)
  • Vidar

Cameras

Ludwig was not a camera maker, but rather a lens maker. Cameras equipped with a Ludwig lens include:

  • Altix - Meritar 2.9/50 mm
2985238045_373c857a58_m.jpg
Wirgin Auta (1935) with a Ludwig 6.3/10.5cm
image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)
4861317981_f6eb3d4394_m.jpg
Ludwig Meritar 3.5/75 in Blitz I shutter
image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)


See their Exakta lenses, 42mm screw lenses and Praktiflex lenses.

Serial Numbers

The following serial number sequence was derived from information provided here [3] and validated/adjusted by own research. The numbers given should be only regarded a rough guideline:

53530061267_ef0664e844_n_d.jpg
Meritar 2.9/50 (ca. 1959?) attached to
NEX-5 by means of Exakta-NEX adapter
image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)
Year Serial nº
1934 100,000
1936 300,000
1938 400,000
1940 500,000
1947 505,000
1951 750,000
1953 900,000
1955 1,025,000
1957 1,150,000
1963 1,450,000
1972 1,650,000


17111211588_5070a8591d_n_d.jpg
Korelle (3x4) with Vidar lens
image by Vagn1949 (Image rights)


Notes

  1. ↑ Both types were produced under one name
  2. ↑ Note that the use of 'cm' instead of mm indicates pre-World war II usage
  3. ↑ Ludwig lenses at Photobutmore (in German)


Sources

  • Fincke H.E.: Das Objektiv deiner Kamera; Fotokinoverlag Halle, Halle, 1959.
  • Jehmlich G.: Der VEB Pentacon Dresden; Sandstein Verlag, Dresden. 2009.
  • Naumann H.: Das Auge meiner Kamera; Verlag von Wilhelm Knapp, Halle (Saale), 1951.
  • Puskov V.V.: Poradnik fotograficzny; PWT, Warsaw, 1956.


Links

In English:

In German:

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