Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/09/18

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To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: Quality of older M lenses
From: Marc James Small <msmall@roanoke.infi.net>
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 1996 12:45:53 -0400

Aaron Nagano asked about the following lenses:

>35 Summicron 3356xxx
>90 Tele-Elmarit 2832xxx
>50 Summicron 3514xxx


The 2/35 dates from 1985.  It would be the "current version" in all regards,
the seven-element version which some find superlative and others don't.

The 2.8/90 dates from 1977.  This is the second version of this lens and
consists of four elements.  It is NOT identical to the current Elmarit.  The
current lens has received rave reviews for all factors save for its weight,
a rather hefty 380g (the 2/90 Summicron, by contrast, only weighs 410g).
The Tele-Elmarit, while not as handy an optical performer as the current
Elmarit, is a LOT lighter and smaller, weighing only 220g.

The 2/50 Summicron dates after 1988 and is current production, though the
current version has an inbuilt lens hood and this one probably does not.  As
with the 2/35, some rave about this lens, others rant at it, regarding the
earlier versions as superior.

Marc

msmall@roanoke.infi.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!