Re: [Leica] Leica entry

["Joe Stephenson" <joeleica@email.msn.com>]

I agree with Mark and Alistair, although my experience is more limited. I
have a new f2.0 50m and a Sumarit f1.5 5cm lens from about 1959. They are
quite different, and I use the newer lens 95% of the time, but the older
lens can bring a softness and slight flare to some images that enhances the
photograph.
Regards,
Joe Stephenson
- -----Original Message-----
From: Mark Walberg <Walberg@simmons.swmed.edu>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Friday, September 11, 1998 6:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica entry

Alistair, this is very good advice.  And, it is refreshing to see even a
little bit if discussion of the old lenses.  My only Leica lenses are a
Summar and a Summitar.  Each has its own personality, as does my old Nikkor
50mm f2 screwmount lens.  A newcomer to photography would laugh at my
collection of so many different 50mm f2 lenses, asking why I need so many
of the "same lens".  Well, I have really been amazed to see (and I'm still
learning) the remarkable differences in the images these lenses make.  It
is truly fun to learn where each of these lenses really show their stuff
best.  My lowly Summar (with a little haze toward the back) makes some very
nice portraits for example.  I almost sold iot once because of the haze,
but I realized that I can't get pictures like that with any other lens.
(and, yes. I too would dearly love to have one of those newfangled Leica
lenses - a Noctilux in particular).
    I wish there was more discussion of this kind here.  I wish people
would talk more about what lenses (old and new) work best in which
situations.  THe only lens I see much talk about in this regard is the
great discussions and picture postings of the Noctilux.  Lets talk about
the others, too.
Thanks Alistair,
Mark Walberg


Alastair Firkin wrote.... (some snipped)
>The Summitar produces
>wonderful images. I went on to ... to explore the world of Leica from the
>early 20's to late 50's.
>Learning the limitations and characteristics of these "individuals" will
>give you another element in your photograph, just as adding a wide angle
>lens will give you new joys, but if there is one thing I've learn't, it is
>to delve slowly. I stop myself from buying a "new" lens every week until I
>feel I've really explored the one before, and I can tell you, I've only
>just begun to learn about the Summarex....
>Cheers
>Alastair Firkin,