Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/10/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 11:46 AM 10/18/97 CDT, Richard Hemingway queried about certain M lenses. The CURRENT 1.4/50 Summilux -- the formula made since '61 -- is superb. The first version of the 1.4/50 is just another Xenon and is a bit soft. Besides, these are so rare that these are now fast becoming collector specials. The 1.4/35 Summilux, now out of production, is a lens I have used for some years now. I have also used all of the non-aspherical versions of the 2/35 Summicron. I have not encountered the flare problem of which others complain. Roger Hicks' comments are worthy of respect: at f/1.4, the Summilux blows the Summicron into the weeds! If it were my choice, I would recommend the 1.4/50 unreservedly and the 1.4/35 with a request that many have complained of flare with this lens when shooting contre-jour. However, my 1.4/50, lovely lens though it is, generally gets passed by for a DR Summicron, and, for the little wide-angle work I do, a Russian 2.8/35 Jupiter-12 is more likely my lens of choice. I would also suggest you consider an LTM 1.5/50 Jupiter-3 or 2/50 Jupiter-8. These are inexpensive lenses and the later ones are multi-coated. The Bertele designs are magnificent. Best, Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!