Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/05/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Steve, The 50mm summicron is legendary and as all leica lenses operates supurbly at full f2.0 aperature. I would not personally choose the f2.8 lens over the f2.0 lens. The latest summicron as others have pointed out excells at resolution and bokeh. For the way I shoot, the f2.8 would only be a choice where no other larger aperture was available (e.g 24mm). On the other hand, the 35mm lens feels normal to me on a Leica - so much so that I have moved all my other photographic lens choices to center around that focal length. The 35mm f2.0 lens would then be my choice for a all around lens. The comparison of the 35mm f1.4 and 35mm f2.0 newer aspheric lenses have been compared here almost daily for the last several years. You might want to look back in the archives if you are interested in more material. If you are really concerned about compactness and the 35mm lens was of interest, the 35mm f2.0 pre-aspheric (the last version before the aspheric model) is a very compact lens also and track the later models in resolution from about f4.0 through the highest apertures - the pre-aspheric versions are a little softer than the aspheric version at f2.0 and 3.5 - some older models show some light vingeting at the lower aperatures also. All that said, there are some of us Leica users that find this performance pleasing. The Leica excells as a unobtrusive photographic instrument. I've found that people allow me into their space more when I'm shooting with the Leica (over my SLR). I think it's because it doesn't whirrrr and clickkk and clank. That extra intrusion into personal space makes the 35mm lens a better choice for me (over the 50mm focal length). However, since you are returning to photography after the time off, you may find a little more distance between you and the subject more comfortable. Given that, my preference would be to weigh in on the 50mm choice. In fact that sort of tracks my long term experience with photography. More years of experience, equate to more comfort in relating to and photographing people and result in shorter working distances. Anyway, as always take this with a large grain of salt... it's my experince.. your choice. It's great to be able to consider the Leica... Enjoy and welcome to the list. Roger Steve Rigby wrote: > > I'm returning to photography after approx. 15 years, > and am taking a Black and White college class this > fall. I'm fortunate to have been able to get an M6 and > I am wondering what a good all-purpose starter lense > would be. I really like the compactness of the 50 > f/2.8 Elmar, but was wondering if I would be giving up > a lot compared to the 50mm f/2 Summmicron, considering > they are the basically the same price. Any feedback > would be appreciated. > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger. > http://im.yahoo.com/