Thanks Paul. Around that time until late last week we had the most amazing and beautiful skies leading up to sunset. While driving home in a westerly direction I saw the best "fire-ball" sun I have ever seen - crimson/orange colours that burst all over the sky. I'm lucky because my apartment is on the 12th floor with an unobscured view down the river to the western horizon. So I see every pre-sunset, sunset and post sunset burst.
Back to the 1600F, yes I have been intensively using it ever since she arrived from Saint Nikolaus during his German stop-over!
I feel I am getting to know her very well and am DELIGHTED with her performance.
In fact I have formed the view that the Tessar 80mm has excellent overall performance measuring up to more modern current 80mm lenses - I say this in the full knowledge that the Tessar may not "technically" have the same performance in all areas of optical design, glass and coatings. BUT TO MY EYES in a print or on a light box, what I can see is every bit as good as others available now.
So, I actually wonder what it is about the Planar design in the current CZ
Planar CFE 80mm lens that too the 80mm lens to new heights?
Maybe my slide test of both lenses side by side will gave me some answers!
My first time user report on the 1600F and its parts (especially the Tessar) is turning into a book!!! Oh well, its interesting to me at least. So I plan to post it on my web site and just put a link in this thread for those who are interested.
Actually I will be interested to hear from you long time 1600F "lovers" what you think of my comments and if you agree.