Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mike wrote: >>> However, there is not much on the Web (aside from the LUG) about using the Leicaflex and two-cam lenses. I'd really appreciate a listing of some sites which comment about older R lens performance and general user info? Of course, individual LUGger comments on this subject are welcome and appreciated. <<< Mike, This is the best source of Leicaflex info anywhere on earth. In general: There are no crummy R-lenses, and newer R-lenses are even better. I'm using the first version of the 135mm Elmarit-R and an old 90mm Summicron-R. These were both originally 2-cam lenses that I've had converted to 3-cam; I'm delighted with both of them. The optical performance of your 90mm Elmarit-R is outstanding by any measure, and the old 50mm Summicron-R is supposed to be more succeptible to flare than the latest but otherwise is no slouch. (I have extremely limited experience with the 35mm Elmarit-R.) IMHO the difference in optical performance between old R-lenses and the current ones of the same focal length and aperture is small and the most significant differences are mechanical. There are exceptions to this generalization like the 50mm Summilux-R (the new one blows EVERYTHING ELSE away), and an APO lens will always outperform a non-APO lens. Mechanical differences would include tripod sockets (rotating or not), minimum focus distance, filter size, lens hood (built-in or clip-on) and size & weight. You won't lose much if any optical quality by choosing older R-lenses but you may lose some conveniences found on the latest equipment. There are also some lenses that protrude deeper into the mirror chamber than the Leicaflex allows and these won't fit on the camera (the new 50mm Summilux-R, for example). Doug Herr Sacramento http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/telyt