Re: [Leica] [Leica} which M lens to choose or sell?

[Dan Cardish <dcardish@microtec.net>]

This is why I kept my old pre-aspheric 35/1.4 after buying the aspherical
version.  My friends think I'm nuts, but the old lens still has a unique
look (to me). 

Dan C.

At 11:56 PM 30-07-99 +0200, you wrote:
>The discussion between Nathan and Mark makes interesting reading. 
>There are rational choices about focal length. You could select your 
>lenses in such a way that every focal length you want to have is 
>covered by M, or by a combination of M and R.
>Here you choose basically for changes in perspective.
>Many  Leica users ask me by phone or email if I can recommend a prime 
>set of M lenses. Well after much reflection I am afraid I cannot 
>select a core set of lenses for the M.
>The point is this: every current lens in the M lineup has a very 
>different characteristic or individuality. You might argue: I have a 
>new 90 so I do not need a 75. True to a certain extent. But the 75 
>has very different imagery from the new 90. These image differences 
>are not so small that only I can see them. Everyone can.
>So selling your 75 or 90 is not only selling a certain 
>perspective/focal length, you are selling an optical  personality 
>that might serve you well if you are in the game of subtle image 
>speak.
>I have the 75 and bought a new 90 (apo). At first thought I would 
>sell the 75. Then I looked again at the pictures and deceided to keep 
>the 75. Its fingerprint is unique. It's optical performance at f/2 is 
>indeed below the apo-90 at f/2, but the individual balancing of 
>residual aberrations gives it  a personality. This lens speaks image 
>language very fluently.
>So I keep it.
>The same goes for the 2/35 asph and the 1.4/35 asph. In fact you 
>should have both. There are more differences than  maximum aperture 
>to discuss. Both lenses have their own personality traits and an 
>image with the 2/35  asph will have a different feeling than one 
>taken with the 1,4/35 asph.
>This is not fantasy island. Leica lenses deserve a very educated look.
>
>
>Erwin
>
>