Getting serious

[Robert Rose <RJR@usip.com>]

Rob:

<<comments please, including preferred hoods.  I want
to shoot B&W and colour with what  follows>>

<<50mm - well I am at a loss but wavering between a newer style Summilux or a DR Summicron.>>

These are very different for different purposes (no, duh my daughter says).  I would think it would be fairer to compare two Summicrons.  I don't have a 50 Summilux, but in comparisons between my 35 Summicron and 50 DR Summicron, you can see higher contrast in the newer lens.  I also suspect that the Summilux wide open will have a different look from the Summicron That being said, I really like the DR.  I can take "almost macro" handhelds at 14 inches.  The lens is compact.  Tip on a lens shade for a DR:  Consider the solid chrome shade from the new Elmar 50mm.  It screws on and the chrome cap from a DR will fit over it.  Nicer than having to reverse a shade.  :-)  BTW, old posts here say that early DRs (having condenser logo on eyes) don't fit on early M6s (those without cutouts).  Check it out before you buy!

For the price, you can get several DRs for one Summilux!  Why not find a clean DR, and then you can always sell it for close to what you paid if you want the Summilux, or more likely you will like it and keep it when you get the Summilux.

<<90mm  - sounds to me like the Elmarit is the go.  What is a Tele as opposed to a non-Tele?  Why are some 'fat'?  And why can't I have everything I want?>>

Since I have "gone for the chrome," (easier to convince someone that "Oh, this is just a funky old camera, don't mind me.")  a chrome 90 Summicron would require extra trips to the gym.  I have tried the 90 Elmarit-M, and like the results and handling very much, and I am now waiting for delivery of the new chrome version.  It seems the right combination of speed and weight and image quality and price.  I did not like the collapsible Elmar 90 f4.  Contrast was lower than the DR, and I found the infinity lock a bother, and I wanted the extra speed.

The fat Elmar looks fat because it is "very large for the size of the lens head."  LCG p. 158.
A "tele" refers to the type of lens element configuration.  I leave it to others to give you details, but I think is has something to do with allowing the lens to be shorter than otherwise would be the case.
You can't have everything you want.  Haven't you seen Citizen Kane?  People who have everything they want don't subscribe to this list.

Here is a warning for a new Leica owner.  Be prepared for people who are used to seeing your Nikon (or whatever) pictures to now remark, "Wow, what camera did you use for this picture?"  Or even, "Wow, what film did you use?"  Honest, it will happen.  Recommended answer:  "Oh, it's just a totally mechanical camera like the ones popular in the 40s and 50s."  NEVER ever tell anyone what the darn things cost; they will think you have lost your mind.  :-)  Just let them enjoy the finished product.

Bob Rose