The best R glass

[andybarton]

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the 19mm (older version) flares chronically,.

 

Not in my experience, although it does need the hood.

[4X5B&W]

The 28 ver.2, the 35 1.4 and 2.8 ver.2, the 50 1.4 ver.2 and 2.0, the 60 2.8, the 80 1.4, the 90 apo 2.0 and 2.8 ver.2, plus not in the range you suggested but a must mention the 100 2.8 Apo.

 

All of these designs are exceptional with the 80 1.4 and 100 Apo being highly desirable.

The 100 for superb image quality, and the 80 for stunningly beautiful images.

 

The other versions not mentioned are all very good lenses, it's just that the ones listed above are exceptional.

 

So many superb designs all waiting for a digital body to show their stuff

[4X5B&W]

.......the 80/1.4 is dodgy wide open but that's why some people like it......

 

Dodgy......It's absolutely stunning.

There is only one other lens that performs at this level - in my experience - the 110 2.0 Zeiss Planar for medium format.

 

Both have almost the same look. Soft and dreamy wide open, superb image quality stopped down, with beautiful colour at any F stop.....a nicely balanced look of resolution, contrast, and colour.

 

Lenses that can produce fabulous images.......the best of the best IMHO.

[4X5B&W]

Examples of 80 Summilux shot wide open.

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[pgk]

Dodgy......It's absolutely stunning.

I like the old 21 Super Angulon myself despite its softer corners and vignetting. But neither it nor the 80/1.4 could be said to be technically 'good' by modern standards. Both suffer from shortcomings and it is the balance of old state-of-the-art designs which were as good as they could be in their time which provides their unique look. I had both the 80/1.4R and the 85/1.2 Canon - the latter had a completely different look - stunningly sharp wide-open, far more so than the Summilux, but very difficult to be absolutely spot on with focus. The Summilux is much softer wide open and with soft green and magenta edges to out of focus highlights - dreamy describes it well.

 

FWIW my first type 19mm R lens was almost unusable into the light even with the hood and no filter due to severe veiling flare.

[andybarton]

This shot of Blackpool Tower was shot with the 19mm v1, before I got the hood.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/barnacks-bar/120858-property-theft.html

 

as was this one (with hood)

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/9764-manchester-hilton.html

[roguewave]

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Louis, my DMR still remains my principle tool for imaging. My MUST haves are 1) 80 Summilux (the finest R lens in the collection), 2) 35 Summilux - very expensive, but a very close competitor to the 80 Lux, in many ways. BTW, both the 80 & 35 Summilux are Mandler lenses. The colors rendered, especially shot wide open are unique. I can't get that quality from any other lenses, Leica or not. 3) R19 Elmarit V2, 4) 24 Elmarit, 5) 50 Summicron. The 50 Summicron is a marvelous lens and extremely versatile. Wide open, it earns it's name as the King of Bokeh.

 

Keep in mind that both the 80 & 35 Summilux are VERY large & HEAVY. When I want to shoot street portraits, I usually go out with just my DMR & 80 Summilux, & 3 batteries. Believe me, that alone is real workout because you need to cradle the kit with your hands, because the weight on your neck will be an irritant.

 

One more important item. With the 80 & 35 Summilux, the focus control is extraordinary. Mandler understood that with such a very tiny DOF, shooting wide open, he allowed for extreme exactness in the focus throw. Lastly, I have come to be in awe of the way that the light rendered in these 2 lenses seem to have the feeling of an ocean of light washing over the subject.

 

Good Luck in your new adventure.

[Shac]

Another vote for the 35/2.8 (last version), the 60/2.8 and the 90/2.8 (last version) - all super on the D700 IMO - and "reasonably" priced and easy to Leitax-convert except for the 60/2.8 which is tricky - See David's site

[andybarton]

The 60 Macro takes about 15-20 minutes to Leitax. Simpler ones take about 10 minutes, in my experience.

 

The instructions on the Leitax site are superb.

[Paolo.Battista]

I can share only my experience of using R glasses on the GXR-M.

 

35 Cron: very good

35 Elmarit: outstanding on the GXR, the greatest surprise for me

50 Cron: simply wonderful

60 Macro: very good but not breathtaking

80 Lux: perfect

90 Cron (non asph): simply wonderful

90 Elmarit: very good, probably wonderful, but it's hard not to use 90 Cron...

100 APO Macro: perfect

 

The lenses I use most of the times are the 35 Elmarit and 50 Summicron. Then the 90 Cron and the 80 Lux. And, out of the requested range, the 180 APO Telyt f:3,4.