Dedalus Posted June 21, 2008 Share #1 Posted June 21, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi there, I've used my r9 for a while now with the starter set of the 35-70 vario elmar. I have been checking out some of the leica shops in London and I have to say that the price of used R lenses compared to new ones encourages me to look for more lenses (i'm not saying they are cheap by no means, but compared with the new prices...well...) I would like to buy a 50 lens in order to have a standard lens to travel with this summer. my questions are: 1. What advices could you give me in order not to buy lenses in bad conditions? I know nothing, I would only notice scratches on the glass practically:D :D 2. Can the R9 mount ALL R lenses (even old ones I mean). If so, what should I look for? 3. besides the 50 lens, which one would you advise to have? I'm not into anything in particular in terms of photography. London has been a great insipiration for me already with my 35-70. I'm currently now experiencing with bokeh, but I would like to learn more and more (i'm addicted!!! ). I read on the forum that many people are raving about the 19 and the 180, but I really wouldn't be able to choose myself without guidance. Sorry for so many questions... Hope you can help me out. Manuel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 21, 2008 Posted June 21, 2008 Hi Dedalus, Take a look here r9 lenses, which ones?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted June 21, 2008 Share #2 Posted June 21, 2008 Manuel, provided you get a 3 cam, 3rd cam, or ROM lens you'll be ok. A good dealer will be able to tell you if a lens is suitable. 95% or more will be. I;d recommend buying from a dealer purely because if you're not happy with the lens you should be able to return it provided you do so within a week or two. For a 50 I'd recommend a 50mm Summicron. If you shop around you can get one of these for your R9 at less than 150. At that price you'll have a bargain. Wider, consider a 28,, Elmarit, longer, think about a 80mm Summilux or a 90mm Summicron. At current R lens prices you can't really go wrong. Hope that helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted June 21, 2008 Share #3 Posted June 21, 2008 >1. What advices could you give me in order not to buy lenses in bad conditions? I >know nothing, I would only notice scratches on the glass practically Open he aperture all the way (set it to f2 etc) and shine a light through it. Hold the lens close to your eye and look through the rear element. Wobble the lens around and any scratches should become visible. Keep in mind that a few scratches on the front element aren't going to make a difference (except it will be cheaper). Unless the front element looks like someone cleaned it with steel wool, don't worry too much about it. What can be a problem are scratches or nicks on the rear element. But it all depends on size and location. On the edges it's not that bad, unless it a real big chip. Leica lenses are very, very well made, but in my experience the black anodizing will wear off quickly if you carry them around in your bag for a long period. But as long as the lens feel solid and turns smoothly you should be ok. You can always send it to Leica to be cleaned. 2. Can the R9 mount ALL R lenses (even old ones I mean). If so, what should I look for? 3 cam, 3rd cam, ROM Search the net, there are a few sites out there that go in to detail. 3. besides the 50 lens, which one would you advise to have? I'm not into anything in particular in terms of photography. London has been a great insipiration for me already with my 35-70. I'm currently now experiencing with bokeh, but I would like to learn more and more (i'm addicted!!! ). I read on the forum that many people are raving about the 19 and the 180, but I really wouldn't be able to choose myself without guidance. The 50's for the R are great. I own a lot of 50's from Leica, Zeiss, Canon and Nikon and nothing really beats the 2/50 Summicron in terms of sheer performance. The Summicron displays a perfect balance between sharpness and contrast. Even at f2 the lens is extremely strong, producing negs with great 'sparkle'. The current M ad R model are pretty much identical. You can find Summicrons at great prices these days. There are two versions. Ask for a version #2 (this is the current optical formula) The 1.4/50 Summilux is also a great lens, that came in two models. Version one is very good and has a beautiful classic look. Version two offers performance equal to or better than the Summicron, but is vastly more expensive. Also take a look at the 35's (2/35 summicron. Look for the latest version, early versions are not as good, 1.4/35 Summilux) The 1.4/80 is a legendary piece of glass. I don;t thing the 180 is of much use in London, unless you are shooting birds in the park... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fernando_b Posted June 23, 2008 Share #4 Posted June 23, 2008 The 1.4/80 is a legendary piece of glass. QUOTE] I've just bought one last week. The lens is excellent. It's only defect is the focal length, so close to upper of the 35-70 he already has. Fernando. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted June 23, 2008 Share #5 Posted June 23, 2008 Manuel The 2/50 is a lovely lens, extremely compact, and really very cheap at the moment. I would by a ROM version, since the prices are so reasonable, and it's likely to be newer. What you would gain compared with the 35-70 is a couple of extra stops (since obviously 50 is already embraced by your zoom's focal length range). An alternative approach would be to go for a different focal lengths, rather than wider aperture. If so you would need to think about your style of photography, whether longer or wider is what you are missing out on. The 2.8/180 Apo is superb, but will cost a bit more. The earlier 3.4/180 Apo is also very good and more reasonably priced, and is also better than the earlier 2.8/180 non-Apo, though it doesn't focus as close up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dedalus Posted June 23, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted June 23, 2008 Thanks a lot for all your help. The difference between Summicron and Summilux is it really that much in terms of quality? on the 50 for example there's the stop difference, but in terms of lenses is it really a significant difference? Manuel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fernando_b Posted June 24, 2008 Share #7 Posted June 24, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Download the MTF curves clicking on "technical data" here Leica Camera AG - Photography - LEICA SUMMILUX-R 50 mm f/1.4 and do the same for the Summicron. MTF curves say something: the Summicron is not so good at the borders at 40 lp/mm. You will see the difference between them only if you do enlarged prints but if the enlarger lens is so good to resolve much more than 40lp/mm. Fernando. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkness30 Posted June 25, 2008 Share #8 Posted June 25, 2008 Dedalus, I agree with friends in terms of first two but for the lenses section consider 60mm macro elmarit, It does everything 50mm summicron does + macro. It is a great lens. I also use 180mm APO elmarit, It is easy to hand hold and gives magnificent results. Best, Mehmet Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 25, 2008 Share #9 Posted June 25, 2008 I agree with friends in terms of first two but for the lenses section consider 60mm macro elmarit, It does everything 50mm summicron does + macro Apart from f2 of course <grin>. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasl.se Posted June 25, 2008 Share #10 Posted June 25, 2008 Apart from f2 of course <grin>. And 50... sincerely though, I'll be getting one of these along with a 28 for starters. Both the 50 and 60 are available at nice prices. On a Rebel, 1.6 crop, they're standard portrait focal lengths. Which of these would you choose for portrait? The current 28 is definitely more expensive than the old design. Are they quite similar in character? Is some sharpness at wide open about all I'd be giving up optically with the old vs new? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 25, 2008 Share #11 Posted June 25, 2008 Joking aside the 60mm Macro is a very good lens and I know that Andy Barton now used his in preference to his 50mm Summicron. Regarding the 28mm, I think the new one is meant to be sharper, but the older one that I have - with rectangular hood - is very, very, good on a Canon 5D. There would probably be a difference if you compared them side by side, but I can't imagine you being disastified with the older one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasl.se Posted June 25, 2008 Share #12 Posted June 25, 2008 Joking aside the 60mm Macro is a very good lens and I know that Andy Barton now used his in preference to his 50mm Summicron. Regarding the 28mm, I think the new one is meant to be sharper, but the older one that I have - with rectangular hood - is very, very, good on a Canon 5D. There would probably be a difference if you compared them side by side, but I can't imagine you being disastified with the older one. It's a pity the 60 is 96 on a Rebel; 50x1.6=80 is more up my alley. But at a few coins a piece I'll have to pick them both. I can't put the 28-r pictures at flickr in one pile for old and one for current. Really looking sweet, and one thing I can say is that I do not necessarily "need" the sharpest of the sharps, like a 100-r. But I have a craving for that 28-r character, and I can only reasonably assume that some flicker pictures were old 28's and some current, and that this character or fingerprint runs in the entire 28-r family. And if that's so, I think I'll snipe me a good clean oldie. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dedalus Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted June 27, 2008 Thanks to all for the great feedback. Tomorrow I'll look around London for a 50 summicron if I can find it. I've seen a Mint conditioned 50 F1.4 Summilux for 550 pounds. Do you think it's a good price? It's a bit more than I want to spend so I think I'll search for a Summicron one in the end. Following Fernando's directions, I don't do any enlarging so I probably won't benefit that much from the difference between lux and cron. Thanks again, Manuel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted June 30, 2008 Share #14 Posted June 30, 2008 I've just acquired a Leicaflex SL2, so the question of which R lenses (3-cam) to get is now of great interest. Considering 35 'cron, 60 macro, 80 'lux, 180 3.4 apo, and a super-wide, either 21 or 19. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted June 30, 2008 Share #15 Posted June 30, 2008 ... 50 F1.4 Summilux ... I probably won't benefit that much from the difference between lux and cron...l Depends on your lighting situation. All the summiluxes are fairly soft light lenses. Dont get het up in the numbers game of available f/stops. If you were shooting in SEAsia with harsh haze, or on a mountain top or in stark contrasty light all the time or sure the Summicron would have the edge, unless you are under cover, morning or dusk, or when conditions make it well lit all over even in the noon day sun. The 50summilux is a beautiful lens. If god said you could have only one lens till the end of your days you would have to be tempted. Personally, I would throw away the zoom and run with a 35 or a 50, as both will cover all, till I figured things out enough not to have to ask questions, or be able to assess the responses I got with respect to the sort of photography I was doing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fernando_b Posted June 30, 2008 Share #16 Posted June 30, 2008 JBA, If you don't need f/2, consider also the 35 Elmarit. From f/4 it is excellent at every f-stop; at f/2.8 it is a little soft at extreme corners. Fernando. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted June 30, 2008 Share #17 Posted June 30, 2008 Fernando, thanks for the tip, but I actually do need f/2, since the 35 would be my workhorse lens and I do a lot of shooting in ambient, low-light situations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted July 11, 2008 Share #18 Posted July 11, 2008 Another R lens question: 80 Summilux or 90 Summicron? The 90 would basically duplicate my M 90, while the 80 would give me an extra stop and probably a different character. Any thoughts? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fernando_b Posted July 11, 2008 Share #19 Posted July 11, 2008 I don't know directly the various versions of the Summicrons. I have the 90 Elmarit (the version with 4 glass elements); at f/2.8 is pretty sharp. I recently bought the 80 Summilux. At f/1.4 is excellent (considering the aperture); for portraits it is a "must have", above f/4 it just a little less sharp than the Elmarit, but very very good indeed. Fernando. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted July 11, 2008 Share #20 Posted July 11, 2008 Fernando, thanks for your response. The 90 Summicron I have is the Apo Asph M-mount lens. I really love it, but am leaning toward the 80 Summilux instead of the R 90 Summicron to use with the SL2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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