[Leica] Zeiss Normal 50mm f/2 Planar T* ZM

[wendythurman at gmail.com (Wendy Thurman)]

Jeff-

I find B&H to be quick and reliable when sending to APO addresses (I have
access to a military post office here).  Amazon is good as well but won't
send "electronics"; they have the 50 'lux listed but it's a no-go with those
guys.  I'll check some other sites and make a phone call or two if I must.
I was considering the Zeiss as a "temporary" purchase but I'd really prefer
a Leica lens.  Given the (lack of) availability of the M9, I am really in no
rush.

Right now I think I am in the 28/50 camp.  Those two lenses will probably
handle most of what I want to do; the 90 (or 75) can come later.

I need the camera!!

Wendy

On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 11:06 PM, Jeff Moore <jbm at jbm.org> wrote:

> 2009-10-06-03:31:33 Wendy Thurman:
> > Does anyone have any experience with the subject lens?  I am in the
> market
> > for the Summilux 50/1.4 but it is "Out of Stock" on B&H's website and I
> > felt, that at the price of $692, it would be hard to go wrong with the
> Zeiss
> > as an interim normal lens (and future backup).
>
> Might depend on whether you're most interested in optical characteristics
> or
> long-term sturdiness.  While I haven't used the Zeiss 50/2, I use (and like
> very much) the Zeiss ZM 35/2.  The latter lens puts me in mind of a
> slightly
> sharper (albeit bulkier) version of the classic Leica pre-ASPH 35/2 --
> decent
> (but not up to current Leica standards) wide open, really comes into its
> own
> at f/4, out-of-focus details keep their shapes nicely.  But (while I
> haven't
> used it long enough to have any problems come up) it just doesn't feel as
> bulletproof as a Leica lens.  To get back to the 50/2s, I'd think you could
> lay your hands on a used Leica 50mm Summicron within the new-Zeiss budget,
> and
> it might be a fine user/backup.
>
> Or check more vendors (are you locked ont B&H because you know they can
> ship
> wherever you are?), because somebody must have the current 50mm Summilux --
> and that lens is just stunning, head and shoulders above any other 50 I've
> tried at rendering tactile, immediate detail.  You get the quality of
> slower
> lenses when it's stopped down, and you get improbably good performance wide
> open.  There's no downside to this lens except the price.
>
> > My long-term plan here is:
> >
> > 28/2.0 Summicron
> > 50/1.4 Summilux
> > 90/2.0 Summicron
>
> I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the 28mm Summicron.  Amazing
> optic.
>
> Having said that, the lens which lives on my camera the most is the 35mm
> Summilux ASPH.  But that has to do with where I often am (in dim
> situations),
> the camera's being an M8, and my personal psychology (when working among
> people to whom I've barely been introduced, a classic "normal" feels most
> comfortable, so I don't get too far into their personal space, but am close
> enough that it doesn't seel like sniping; that's a 35 on the M8).  On your
> future M9, a 50 Summilux ASPH would serve that purpose, and beautifully.
>
> As for the 90 -- I'm once again conditioned by my recent M8 use.  On the
> M8,
> the 90 is too long to be really frequently useful and reliably usable for
> me.
> The 75/2.0, though -- it's been really handy, and looks great.  I think the
> 75mm Summicron looks even better at f/2.0 than the 90mm does, and it has a
> particularly handy size, weight and balance.
>
> I think the 28mm and 75mm Summicrons are the optics which most often
> pleasantly re-surprise me with how good they are.
>
> But on the M9, the 90 would serve a very similar purpose, and it too is an
> impressive lens.
>
> Unless you don't spend much time in the super-dim or at moderate distance,
> and
> could simplify to a 28/75 kit -- it'd be a little odd, but kind of
> compelling.
>
>  -Jeff M
>
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