bill Posted October 12, 2009 Share #21 Posted October 12, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) If you are looking for a 50mm lens don't fool around with the Summicron (f/2), Elmar (f/2.8) or Summarit (f/2.5), although all of them are great lenses, go directly to the Summilux (f/1.4) ASPH and don't look back. Whether you can find one used is another story. Woooosh!!!! What a great sweeping generalisation. It's not all about speed, or sterile sharpness. The Summicron is a great lens, the Elmar-M almost it's equal with the advantage of compactness. I can't speak for the Summarit, but I am sure that it offers "good bang for the buck". Personally I would not exchange either my DR Summicron or Elmar M for anything. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 12, 2009 Posted October 12, 2009 Hi bill, Take a look here Beginner with M system cameras .. seeking advice and tips. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bybrett Posted October 12, 2009 Share #22 Posted October 12, 2009 If you are looking for a 50mm lens don't fool around with the Summicron (f/2), Elmar (f/2.8) or Summarit (f/2.5), although all of them are great lenses, go directly to the Summilux (f/1.4) ASPH and don't look back. Whether you can find one used is another story. I fool around with the Elmar-M all the time so I must be a bit of a clown... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted October 12, 2009 Share #23 Posted October 12, 2009 This is an example of a 35 Summaron, f3.5, from 1956 (Cost about £250) Interesting and rather nice shot. There's a whiff of the 'Ravilious' about it. Not just because of the look you get from the old lens but also in the way you've sensitively captured a mundane moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted October 12, 2009 Share #24 Posted October 12, 2009 ...There's a whiff of the 'Ravilious' about it.... Good observation, and very true. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 12, 2009 Share #25 Posted October 12, 2009 Woooosh!!!! What a great sweeping generalisation. It's not all about speed, or sterile sharpness. The Summicron is a great lens, the Elmar-M almost it's equal with the advantage of compactness. I can't speak for the Summarit, but I am sure that it offers "good bang for the buck". Personally I would not exchange either my DR Summicron or Elmar M for anything. Regards, Bill I fool around with the Elmar-M all the time so I must be a bit of a clown... I have had both the Summicron and the Elmar and liked them both, never had the Summarit and actually I liked the Elmar more then the 2 different Summicrons I've had and found the Elmar I had to be very close to the Lux when stopped down to f/4-5.6 (More then the summicron), and if you actually read my post I say they are great lenses but that does not say they are better, in any respect, then the current Summilux. I'm not talking about sharpens or speed only but in the color and rendering of the image overall. Your options may differ, that's OK with me (That's what makes the world go round). I was just stating my opinion from actual use of these 3 lenses and what I like. I was not calling anyone a clown. Bill then you would be very foolish to not exchange your DR Cron or Elmar for a current version Lux. Again my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted October 12, 2009 Share #26 Posted October 12, 2009 I was not calling anyone a clown. Bill then you would be very foolish to not exchange your DR Cron or Elmar for a current version Lux. Again my opinion. Hmm... ...bit of a dichotomy here. You are not calling anyone a clown, but you are calling me a fool? I just want to be absolutely crystal clear... Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 12, 2009 Share #27 Posted October 12, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hmm... ...bit of a dichotomy here. You are not calling anyone a clown, but you are calling me a fool? I just want to be absolutely crystal clear... Regards, Bill I said you would be foolish. That is far from calling someone a fool. Foolish for 2 reasons. The cost of the new ASPH and what you could then sell it for and then buy another 50mm lens of your choice with money to spare. Take it anyway you want. I didn't post in this thread to get into a fight with anyone or to make Sweeping Generalizations. It was my opinion based on persoan use of the Cron, Elmar & Lux ASPH. But you seem to be hell bent on making one up as you like. Why not just ignore my posts from here on out. That way you don't have to subject yourself to my Sweeping Generalizations. Have a good day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bybrett Posted October 12, 2009 Share #28 Posted October 12, 2009 I have had both the Summicron and the Elmar and liked them both, never had the Summarit and actually I liked the Elmar more then the 2 different Summicrons I've had and found the Elmar I had to be very close to the Lux when stopped down to f/4-5.6 (More then the summicron), and if you actually read my post I say they are great lenses but that does not say they are better, in any respect, then the current Summilux. I'm not talking about sharpens or speed only but in the color and rendering of the image overall. Your options may differ, that's OK with me (That's what makes the world go round). I was just stating my opinion from actual use of these 3 lenses and what I like. I was not calling anyone a clown. Bill then you would be very foolish to not exchange your DR Cron or Elmar for a current version Lux. Again my opinion. No offence taken it was I who used the word clown The OP is new to Leica glass and may not have the need to go straight to Summilux. I think Indecisive will go for 35 /75 to start with but that depends on choice of sensor... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indecisive Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share #29 Posted October 14, 2009 I have seen the light I NEED a 75mm f2!! On a serious note, you really need to see the images to really appreciate the characteristics. Then decide whether it is or it is not for you. Had a great day out shooting photos today. Learnt a lot and realised what my next lens might be. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted October 14, 2009 Share #30 Posted October 14, 2009 If you are looking for a 50mm lens don't fool around with the Summicron (f/2), Elmar (f/2.8) or Summarit (f/2.5), although all of them are great lenses, go directly to the Summilux (f/1.4) ASPH and don't look back. Whether you can find one used is another story. I for one enjoy "fooling around" with various 50mm Leica lenses and have thus specifically bought a 1960 vintage 50mm Summicron rigid lens which is currently being assembled after a service including front and rear elements polished and recoated. And have acquired it specifically to experience and enjoy its particular imaging attributes. Buying such a lens is risky as I was unsure if it could be restored but so far it seems to have been a straightforward and cost effective proposition compared to buying same in excellent condition. Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indecisive Posted October 20, 2009 Author Share #31 Posted October 20, 2009 I for one enjoy "fooling around" with various 50mm Leica lenses and have thus specifically bought a 1960 vintage 50mm Summicron rigid lens which is currently being assembled after a service including front and rear elements polished and recoated. And have acquired it specifically to experience and enjoy its particular imaging attributes. Buying such a lens is risky as I was unsure if it could be restored but so far it seems to have been a straightforward and cost effective proposition compared to buying same in excellent condition. Cheers dunk How much did such a lens cost you? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgray Posted October 21, 2009 Share #32 Posted October 21, 2009 First, if you stick with any lens still in production, its going to be good. That goes for Leica, CV, or Zeiss. Unlike on Canon or some other system, the 50/2 is just as good as the 50/1.4. Actually, it's often a bit better in quantitative terms at similar stops. So, there's no need to buy a very expensive fast lens just because the slower lens is lower quality. Second, once you stop down to f/5.6 or so, they all start looking the same. Another thing to keep in mind depending on how you shoot. To make some more generalizations, the older lenses tend to be a bit softer wide open, which is why you'll see some people say they love the 50/1.4 pre-ASPH or the 75/1.4 wide open for portraits - it gives a pleasing(?) haze that can give facial features a nice look - especially features like wrinkles. haha. The modern versions, the 50/1.4 ASPH and the 75/2, are just sharp. They are softer wide open, but are much closer in sharpness wide open and one stop down than the previous lenses. Older lenses are cool, and if you go back really old, there are some fun Nikkor and Canon lenses that you can try for not too much money. Personally, I would try out some lenses if you can. If you can't do some reading here and elsewhere and ask questions. I'd pick lenses like this: find a focal length that you want, figure out how much you want to pay, figure out how fast you need it to be, and figure out how small you want it to be. Look at CV, Leica, and Zeiss ZM lenses. Don't just assume that you need the most expensive 50mm lens, or whatever, that is out there. Though the 50/1.4 ASPH is a great lens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
framestore Posted July 9, 2011 Share #33 Posted July 9, 2011 If you are looking for a 50mm lens don't fool around with the Summicron (f/2), Elmar (f/2.8) or Summarit (f/2.5), although all of them are great lenses, go directly to the Summilux (f/1.4) ASPH and don't look back.. I know many of Leicaman will disagree but I absolutely agreed with Shootist IMHO. Whether you can find one used is another story. I recently saw a mint conditions one at £999.00. After just few hours later, when I called the shop to purchase it, it has been sold. :mad: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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