Next R Lens

[Sandokan]

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Dear All,

 

I mostly use a 28-70 zoom - and I am very dissapointed with it. I will one day replace it with a 28-90 but I also want some primes, as I like to shoot indoors and dont like flash.

 

My local dealers have a choice a choice of lenses:

1.4/35mm - details not known yet.

2.8/35 Ser. No. 3234*** so made in 1982 (German)

2.0/50mm Ser. No. 3441*** so made in 1987 (Canadian)

1.4/50 Ser. No. 3953*** so made after 2000 (German)

 

I have recently been using my Canon A1 with a 1.4/50 and really like the angle of view from it, but as I have a DMR, the 35mm would give a similar (slightly wider) angle of view which I think would be OK.

 

The 50mm on the DMR would be better than my current 2.0/90 but I cannot help thinking a Macro lens would be nice at some stage (which one of the 60 and 100 do people like?).

 

So my questions are:-

Which of the two 35mm lenses has best contrast and sharpness? The Summilux is twice the price of the Elmarit, but is affordable from the cash I have saved in the last few months.

 

If I get the 35 Elmarit, I can just afford the 50 Summilux, but the Summicron is easier to afford. So, would you stretch the budget and get the lux over the cron? If I get the 35 Summilux, then the 50 Summicron is only affordable.

 

Tough choices, but what do you suggest?

 

Thanks, Ravi

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[Angora]

The Lux 35 is quite big and heavy. But having a DMR it shouldn't bother you at this point...

 

The new Lux 50 (E60) is said to be much better than its older version (E55)... excellent.

You can't go wrong with the Cron 50 either, for sure.

 

If you shoot indoor you should get a fast lens with an angle as wide as possible (given your choice). So I'd go for the Lux 35.

[dhsimmonds]

Ravi

I have no experience with the 35 or 50, but as for the F2.8 28-90, it is a useful lens with a very high performance.

 

When considering macro lenses, definitely and without hesitation go for the F2.8 100mm as it is a true macro lens and not just a close focusing lens like the 60mm. It is a stunning macro lens and also a very useful mid telephoto when used with a DMR.

 

An Elpro lens attachment is also available for the 100mm offerring even larger magnifications for things like insect photography etc., providing 1/1 magnifications.

 

Happy lens hunting!

[zapp]

Dear All,

 

I mostly use a 28-70 zoom - and I am very dissapointed with it. I will one day replace it with a 28-90 but I also want some primes, as I like to shoot indoors and dont like flash.

 

My local dealers have a choice a choice of lenses:

1.4/35mm - details not known yet.

2.8/35 Ser. No. 3234*** so made in 1982 (German)

2.0/50mm Ser. No. 3441*** so made in 1987 (Canadian)

1.4/50 Ser. No. 3953*** so made after 2000 (German)

 

Thanks, Ravi

 

The 28-90 is surely the better zoom alternative - a very different lens.

The Lux 35 is the first and only design of this lens type, I would assume there will be a new version within the next 2 years (R10). The lux 50 is a current design, pretty good lens - check out Erwins Photosite for a nice review. The 50 cron is the current design not changed for 30+ years, but still a very nice lens. I would expect a replacement with something siimilar to the Zeiss 2/50 macro also in the next 2 years that would make the 60 obsolete. For a save future investment the lux 50 may be the best, especially if you want wide open performance from the listed lenses.

About the macro lenses it depends what you want out of it. 60 and 100 both have their supporters. It depends more on the objetcs (distance range) you are working at to go for either one. I would try to get the best glass for the DMR, the 28-70 wouold not be my first choice. Besides the 50 Lux, we are talking 70's designs - not optimzed for digital age color artefacts.

Don't call me up on my 2 year plans, let's talk about it in 2009.

[Sandokan]

Hi Dude, David and Zapp,

 

Thanks for your advice. The 28-70 came with the camera as a kit, and I am stuck with it (a zoom is useful for ordinary use) until I can afford the 28-90, which will probably be next year now.

 

However, the 50 summilux does look interesting and the 35 elmarit may be sufficient for me. As for new R lenses - I believe you may be correct about replacement lenses as some of them are old designs and I am sure they can improve on them, but i guess the R10 would be the motivation.

 

I will let you know on Saturday what I decide - incidentally, I forgot to say that I have a 19mm elmarit and that is a great lens - I may even put the film back on and try it at full width.

 

Yours. Ravi.

[robert_parker]

Hi Ravi

 

Just to add my two cents worth, I personally prefer the 60mm f2.8 - whilst being an older design, it is an older high performance design with close focussing capability, which can surprise many - the issue here is whether the f2.8 apeture is going to be enough, given your intention to shoot in low light - the new 50 'lux may be the obvious choice here but as said, you may nbe pleasantly surprised by the 60

[ns_ng]

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Dear All,

 

I mostly use a 28-70 zoom - and I am very dissapointed with it. I will one day replace it with a 28-90 but I also want some primes, as I like to shoot indoors and dont like flash.

 

My local dealers have a choice a choice of lenses:

1.4/35mm - details not known yet.

2.8/35 Ser. No. 3234*** so made in 1982 (German)

2.0/50mm Ser. No. 3441*** so made in 1987 (Canadian)

1.4/50 Ser. No. 3953*** so made after 2000 (German)

 

I have recently been using my Canon A1 with a 1.4/50 and really like the angle of view from it, but as I have a DMR, the 35mm would give a similar (slightly wider) angle of view which I think would be OK.

 

The 50mm on the DMR would be better than my current 2.0/90 but I cannot help thinking a Macro lens would be nice at some stage (which one of the 60 and 100 do people like?).

 

So my questions are:-

Which of the two 35mm lenses has best contrast and sharpness? The Summilux is twice the price of the Elmarit, but is affordable from the cash I have saved in the last few months.

 

If I get the 35 Elmarit, I can just afford the 50 Summilux, but the Summicron is easier to afford. So, would you stretch the budget and get the lux over the cron? If I get the 35 Summilux, then the 50 Summicron is only affordable.

 

Tough choices, but what do you suggest?

 

Thanks, Ravi

 

Hi,

 

Do have a look at the 35-70 f4.0 as well. Performance is outstanding for its price. I have been using it with my R8 for many years and with my DMR it is a good travelling lens.

 

The 50 'Cron, although an old design, is still a very good lens. I have been using this lens for over 20 years. Some of my R lenses such as my 28mm, 90'Cron and the 50'Cron were purchased in the early 80's but the performance still astounds me. Even with the DMR, i do not feel I need to move to the latest R lenses.

 

N.S.

[Sandokan]

Hi Robert - that was indeed my thought about the 60. The 35 lux would be good for the low light and the 60 (behaving like an 80) would be good for outside, portraits and close focus. However, if this 50 is in good condition, I may get that for now and wait for a suitably priced 60 or 100 later. My dealer has not had any good lenses for ages and now 3 turn up at once and another dealer has a few others too.

 

Hi NS - thanks for the tip about the 35-70, but I do like the 28mm setting. Also thanks about your experience with the 50cron - just because the design is old, does not necessarily mean I would see great differences with the latest designs :-)

 

Yours, Ravi

[Sandokan]

Dear All,

 

Many thanks for your advice. In the end I got the 35mm Summilux and the 50mm Summicron - goes against what I heard and read but I like the weight and feel of them.

 

Here are some results

 

35mm 4s at f11 sitting on a table at 100%:-

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50mm 1/60 at f2.8 inside shop at almost 100%

 

I was surprised at the 35mm and the feeling for the grain in the wood.

 

What I dont like is the focusing screen on the R9 DMR and its dimness. Maybe I should try a Brightscreen - anyone have experience?

 

Thanks a lot for your help

 

Ravi

[k_g_wolf ✝]

>> Ravi

 

 

Fine decision, enjoy your new lenses !

 

No brightscreen experience here, but with these lenses your standard-screen should be perfectly bright ...

 

For your 4 s. exposure: did you >>prerelease<< the mirror before opening the shutter ? ?

 

This can be done simply by a switch at the side (front, right) - you know that for sure, but sometimes it´s forgotten - and the release of the shutter is quite convenient by selftimer, within 2 or 12 sec.

 

 

 

Best

[ruiespanhol]

Dear All,

 

I mostly use a 28-70 zoom - and I am very dissapointed with it. I will one day replace it with a 28-90 but I also want some primes, as I like to shoot indoors and dont like flash.

 

My local dealers have a choice a choice of lenses:

1.4/35mm - details not known yet.

2.8/35 Ser. No. 3234*** so made in 1982 (German)

2.0/50mm Ser. No. 3441*** so made in 1987 (Canadian)

1.4/50 Ser. No. 3953*** so made after 2000 (German)

 

I have recently been using my Canon A1 with a 1.4/50 and really like the angle of view from it, but as I have a DMR, the 35mm would give a similar (slightly wider) angle of view which I think would be OK.

 

The 50mm on the DMR would be better than my current 2.0/90 but I cannot help thinking a Macro lens would be nice at some stage (which one of the 60 and 100 do people like?).

 

So my questions are:-

Which of the two 35mm lenses has best contrast and sharpness? The Summilux is twice the price of the Elmarit, but is affordable from the cash I have saved in the last few months.

 

If I get the 35 Elmarit, I can just afford the 50 Summilux, but the Summicron is easier to afford. So, would you stretch the budget and get the lux over the cron? If I get the 35 Summilux, then the 50 Summicron is only affordable.

 

Tough choices, but what do you suggest?

 

Thanks, Ravi

 

 

You say are veri dissapointed whit the 28-70 Vario Lenses.Why?

I have one and for me is one fine performer.

O.k they have some distortion on the 28 and 70mm but it was sharpness and very good contrast only I don´t like the image on viewfinder because it was some darker(I use the R8).

I see your´s pictures whit your´s news lenses and congratulations whit it.

I have also the 50mm crom and for me it was the best 50mm in the world.

 

Best,

 

Rui

[Sandokan]

Hi Karl,

 

Thanks! You are right - I forgot to pre-release the mirror and I did use the 2s timer otherwise as you spotted, I would have had more blur. And yes, the screen is brighter now. However, I think I need a magnifier to help focus the 35mm, but the 50 is much easier to focus.

 

Hi Rui,

 

I used a M6 and 50mm summircron from my local dealer for a week and the results blew me away, and after that I could only find fault with the zoom for lack of contrast and lack of sharpness (comparatively). However, now that I have the DMR, I actually think I have 2 major problems with my skills:-

1. My shutter release causes a lot of shake

2. I cannot judge a horizontal line

So now, I am not sure how much of the soft blurry images I always got with the 28-70 were due to the lens or my own inadequacies.

 

However, I love the brightness of the screen with the new lenses. I also enjoy the discipline of having to move my feet (I know I have an M as well with fixed lenses, but as I never told my wife I was going to buy it, I keep it hidden in the office and use it on business trips - I am a real coward!!). Actually I still havent told her I changed R lenses, but she wont mind when I tell her that I sold the zoom and so there was no cost impact. I do miss the convenience of the zoom function, but I would prefer a one touch instead of 2 rings.

 

Yours, Ravi

[ruiespanhol]

Hi Karl,

 

Thanks! You are right - I forgot to pre-release the mirror and I did use the 2s timer otherwise as you spotted, I would have had more blur. And yes, the screen is brighter now. However, I think I need a magnifier to help focus the 35mm, but the 50 is much easier to focus.

 

Hi Rui,

 

I used a M6 and 50mm summircron from my local dealer for a week and the results blew me away, and after that I could only find fault with the zoom for lack of contrast and lack of sharpness (comparatively). However, now that I have the DMR, I actually think I have 2 major problems with my skills:-

1. My shutter release causes a lot of shake

2. I cannot judge a horizontal line

So now, I am not sure how much of the soft blurry images I always got with the 28-70 were due to the lens or my own inadequacies.

 

However, I love the brightness of the screen with the new lenses. I also enjoy the discipline of having to move my feet (I know I have an M as well with fixed lenses, but as I never told my wife I was going to buy it, I keep it hidden in the office and use it on business trips - I am a real coward!!). Actually I still havent told her I changed R lenses, but she wont mind when I tell her that I sold the zoom and so there was no cost impact. I do miss the convenience of the zoom function, but I would prefer a one touch instead of 2 rings.

 

Yours, Ravi

 

Hi Ravi,

 

Yes you are right about the brigtness of the focusing screen when using fixed lenses.

I like very much work whit my 50mm/f2 because the brightness that lenses give me when using on my R8.

However I like also the Vario lenses because ther versatility so when I need more brightness in the focusing screen I use the 50mm/f2(indoors) and using the vario when it was no time for change lenses(Like travel).

I thinking to sell my 28-70 and going to the 28-90 because this lenses is for sure better then my 28-70.

 

Best,

 

Rui

[Sandokan]

Hi Rui,

 

I agree about the 28-90 being one of the best available from what I have read. I will save up for one but would have to try it first for a week. Better still - I'll try yours next time I am in Spain.

 

Ravi.

[ruiespanhol]

Hi Rui,

 

I agree about the 28-90 being one of the best available from what I have read. I will save up for one but would have to try it first for a week. Better still - I'll try yours next time I am in Spain.

 

Ravi.

 

Well if you try one 28-90 please put your opinions about that lenses.

 

Best,