A Little Lens Help, Please

[arpey]

A while back, I inherited from my Dad some Leica gear ... the lens included in this kit are as follows:

Super-Angulon R – 1:4 / 21 mm
Elmarit R – 1:2.8 / 28 mm
Elmarit R – 1:2.8 / 35 mm
Summicron R – 1:2 / 50 mm
Macro-Elmar R – 1:4 / 100 mm
Elmarit R – 1:2.8 / 135 mm
Vario-Elmar R - 1:3.5 / 35-70 mm
Vario-Elmar R 1:4.5 / 80-200 mm
Telyt R – 1:4.8 / 350 mm

As I've read about Leica glass here, and elsewhere, I've come to realize that some of these lens have the reputation for being "legendary" while some may be thought as more "ordinary" -- to my rather inexperienced eye, they're all pretty special and help me take better pictures than any camera I've used previously.

Nevertheless, what I'm trying to learn is what makes any lens "legendary" or "extraordinary" -- what are the special characteristics to look for and what makes any particular lens design "exceptional" as compared to more ordinary lens. I recognize that the answers to this question may be somewhat subjective.

I'd be happy if somebody could direct me to a reference source that could guide me through this inquiry with some authority.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[}{B]

I'm not sure any book is going to answer your question completely as 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' as the saying goes. There may be technical books about lens design that would set the Leica lenses in context with other manufacturers products.

As for image quality it could depend on how you view the end result. Slides for instance compared to small prints from a high street processor may look very different. As you point out what you perceive as that special something may be entirely subjective.

It's as well to bear in mind that expensive quality lenses don't guarantee a good photograph. If I were you I would just enjoy using the equipment and not worry too much about what you should or should not expect to see as far as a special 'something' goes in the resulting photos.

[NZDavid]

Welcome to the Leica forum Arpey and I hope you are enjoying using your Dad's Leica gear -- it's great to ensure these fine products get used; they will be capable of producing superb pictures for decades to come. You haven't said what SLR you are using?

I am familiar with M rangefinder lenses rather than the R lenses, but the reputation of Leica glass is not misplaced. I do know the 100 APO macro has a first-class reputation.

You may like to track down UK authority Brian Bower's book on Leica SLR photography.

Also, Erwin Putts has very authoritative lens tests at Viewpoint | Photography and image capture: the Leica technique and philosophy by Erwin Puts | Erwin Puts

Doug Herr is a US wildlife photographer with superb Leica SLR pics at www.wildlightphoto.com

And CameraQuest Home is another good source of info. As is the Photo.net Leica forum.

Best of luck, and enjoy your Leica.

David
David Killick, Freelance Journalist and Photographer, New Zealand

[NZDavid]

More detailed info here:

KBCamera Leica R Reviews

and:

Leica R Lens Performance Survey

[arpey]

Thanks guys ...

David ... I'll wade through all those references in the next few days. Maybe they'll shed some light on my curiosity.

Howard ... I'm using a SL2 and an R-5. I tend to enjoy the SL2 more than the R-5.

I appreciate the advice.