Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/08/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Frank in that focal length range, I think the new designs will be complementary rather than replacements. 35 seems to have a special magic for many folk that prize the bo-ke performance of the earlier designs and the size. My personal view is that the 2 asph is a design and performance marvel. Adding the 2.5 gives a new Leica choice that is much less expensive and smaller, since the old 35's are out of production (and a sale of a second hand lens doesn't directly help Leica's bottom-line). I have the little CV 2.5 35 and for me, just on form factor it is too small on an M body. Makes more sense on an LTM IMHO. On the 50's I think that the Elmar M 2.8 50 makes an excellent choice if you value real compactness for carrying. Not really much smaller than the Summicron when extended. Here at least (Australia) they seem undervalued. I bought one new discounted for about USD 600 not so long ago. I had the Summicron however ended up selling it due to a vexing and intermittent flare issue. Who knows maybe there is a new asph version in the pipe-line. All of the wides are entirely modern asph designs now. The range has been rationalising and updating. On 75's we have the luxury of the 2 asph or the bigger 1.4 already but the price point of the new design looks to be a lot better. And it is tiny. This is actually the only one of the new models that I might really consider, since I have the other lengths covered. For the new 90, I have long been a big fan of the Elmarit M. I regard it as just right form factor and a superb performer. Comes with a great hood built in, too. If I might invoke Herr Puts, not far behind the 90AA. Providing you don't mind the stop slower (and mine tends to live around f4-f5.6 anyway) I think they make a lot of sense. Anyway its great for Leica to have all of this interest in the enthusiasts' groups, months before the actual lenses even hit the shelves. What is it that you want to do with the 2.8 28 Elmarit asph? Sounds like Leica can't keep up with the demand for these? Cheers Hoppy -----Original Message----- Subject: RE: [Leica] Summarit press release I may be in the minority, but ....Ho Hum...... They were making progress with the ASPH lenses.. all but the 50/2 ASPH was covered. Now these new lenses are both not cheap and slower. I don't get it. The 35/1.4 NON Asph is tiny. A 50 Elmar is tiny ( when collapsed). An old 90 Elmar is tiny. I really would prefer if they would kick start the 28 ASPH Elmarit again....it was less expensive, slower by only 1/3 stop., and wider than the 35.......Now that is a lens! Frank Filippone red735i@earthlink.net _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information