Does anyone actually use cult lenses?

[Richard K.]

Apo-Lanthars? Hypergons?

[Kevin Crisp]

More than 75% of the time I find myself using a convertible protar. If shooting into the sun I would use a coated lens, but I don't shoot into the sun much and have been completely satisfied with the lenses' performance for all other situations.

[Ernest Purdum]

Richard K,

I used a 300mm Apo Lanthar for a long time shooting product photos on 4" X 5". loved it. I have a Hypergon, but it is a Fuji, not a Goerz, and is in sleeve mount. I bought it as a curiosity and no, I have never used it. I've never figured out how to mount the intriguing gizmo.

[Ken Lee]

Is LF itself a cult ?

What's that guy doing under that strange cloth ?

It looks like some form of worship to me.

[Allen in Montreal]

Would the Zeiss Biogon, Plannar and Sonnar fit into this group?
Tons of Plannars were made, but they still have a loyal following if not a "cult" following.

I had an Apo Lanthar for a few years way back when, very nice.

[Dave Wooten]

I use the 240 computar, but did nt know it was a cult lens.

[Patrik Roseen]

Does the Xenotar qualify as a cult lens?

I use an 80mm/2.8 Xenotar on my Technika 4x5". Even though it does not cover 4x5 I have fallen in love with it and really start to understand why the 150mm/2.8 is so sought after. I have recently acquired a 100mm/2.8 Xenotar as well.

[Daniel_Buck]

what gives a lens the classification of 'cult'. Is it started when some famous photographer uses a lens, and others follow it just because of the photographer who started it? Or is it associated with inexpensive lenses that perform well, or have other characteristics? Just curious, I've not heard the term much.

[Ole Tjugen]

If I have any "cult lenses", I use them.

Gold-rim Dagors are "cult", Doppel-Amatars are not. That says more about cultists than about lenses.

[Mark Sampson]

Here's a shot at a definition...
It's a 'cult' lens if it's out of production, and provides a function or look not available from a new lens. Having a well-known photographer use one helps a lot. And, of course, enough other people have to want one to drive the price up...