Re: The new 50/2.8 Elmar

[Michael Reichmann <michaelr@interlog.com>]

I've been using the original collapsible 50mm Elmar for about 6 months and
have done some casual comparisons with my new 50mm Summicron.  In every case
I can hardly see any difference on Provia 100 slides under an 8X loup, and
with 11X14 Cibas printed with an APO Rodagon.  Like listening to two
audiophile amps and trying to choose between them.

I picked it up last year as a travel lens, for use when all that will fit in
my briefcase is an M6 and one lens. Since I got it I've made 3 trips to Asia
and done a lot of enjoyable photography with it, but if I'm to only travel
with one lens, 50mm unfortunately isn't it.

So, I recently traded it in for a 35mm Summilux.  I leave on my next
business trip tonight (Germany for a week) and this will be its trial by
fire.  The total thickness is a bit more than that of the Elmar when on a
body, but it still fits in my briefcase comfortably.  I also think that
having the 2 stops of extra aperture will be useful for "steet" shooting,
though I realise that the Summilux isn't at its best wide open.

Michael



At 05:09 AM 11/03/96 +0000, you wrote:
>In message <v01540b00ad68e2bf7658@[205.211.5.5]>, Jae Redfern
><jredfern@ottawa.net> writes
>>Would anyone have been fortunate enough to compare the new 50 F2.8
>>collapsible Elmar with the original? How do they compare?
>
>I've got both, but poor health has precluded much activity with either.
>I have black and white 6 X 4" enprints (XP2) from both, and, you guessed
>it, no difference is visible, and results of both look amazingly good.
>There is no indication where I changed lenses and I had to look at my
>notes to see what was taken with what. Which is what I expected. I will
>at some point use slow slide film with both lenses on the same subject
>and comment on the comparison, but I'm some way from rushing off to do
>that right now. The new one is a fair bit easier to use as the whole
>thing doesn't try to rotate when you change the aperture setting as its
>in a new non-rotating mount. And it focuses closer, 0.7m I think
>compared to the 1m of the earlier one (this is from memory mind you).
>The early one is said to have cooler colour rendering, but I can't
>remember where I read that. I got it for a fair bit less than usual cos
>its got a tiny mark on the front (story of my life). I will post any
>observations as and when I get round to the comparison. 
>
>These lenses are great fun. Collapsible lenses on a Leica body make a
>great system fit into medium-sized pockets. Quite a trick.
>
>joe b.
>
>