Out of the closet, was RE: [Leica] LTM lens

["Stewart, Alistair" <AStewart@gigaweb.com>]

Dave,

I hesitated a bit before "coming out", but here is my 2c.

If it is the black and chrome model, one of the very last ltm's from Canon,
contemporaneous with the 7, it is very good indeed, better in many regards
(contrast, resolution, flare resistance, coating quality, scratch
resistance, non-fogging) than the contemporaneous summicrons. It takes a
40mm filter/hood, which are absolutely totally completely unobtainable
unless you go with custom. You will never make the sky and clouds punchy
with a yellow, orange or red filter with this lens!

I have several of them, and use them with adapter on my M's. They're better
than collapsible and first version rigid 'cron's (but then, despite the
strength of other's opinions, most of the measurable facts bear show that
those generation lenses are very ordinary). My tests showed that the Canon
f1.8 did not have the uncompromising contrast of the Nikkor f2 ltm lenses,
though. 

BUT most of this doesn't matter if you shoot at f4-f11 and use tri-x, which
becomes the limiting factor in the mix, ceteris paribus.

I have no comments about the hokey bokey bokeh bo-ke, however, since I never
evaluated my lenses for it. When I shoot, it isn't really something I think
about. My editors probably couldn't even spell it :=)

Mechanically I really like it; it is light weight, well designed, made,
finished and assembled. It performs very well. It is available very cheaply,
by comparison to its competitors.  Both control rings go the 'right' way.
What's not to like?

$150 is a fair dealer price for exc++

Hope this helps, 

best of light.


- -----Original Message-----
From: Dave Stratton [mailto:stratton@gci.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 1999 5:50 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: [Leica] LTM lens



Just this morning I purchased a 50mm/1.8 Canon LTM lens for use on the iiib
that I had acquired a few months ago.

I have little knowledge of the good and bad of rangefinder cameras  (I hope
to learn more...and not all the hard way).

Lens serial number is 3428xx, and  there isn't a mark on it.  It looks like
a new lens (I know it isn't).  I used a bright light on/thru the glass and
saw only a bubble or two.

I payed $150 US

Would like to know if such was a reasonable buy, and more importantly I
would like to get some feel or expectation about what awaits me with this
new addition.

I shot an old tractor this weekend with the iiib(35/3.5 elmar).  The
lens/camera combination predating the worn, rusty tractor be several years.
The results of that experience has change my whole attitude about what
limits surround 35 mm work.  I shot the image hand held, taking only seconds
and half-minutes to frame and complete, and walk on to another.

I have pranced around a tripod for periods of half-HOURS setting up a large
format shot with no more expectation of detail and clarity that I captured
on 35mm with a camera/lens combo that was taking pictures nearly 60 years
ago.


I will be doing significantly more shooting with the 35mm.

Dave Stratton