Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/12/18

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Subject: [Leica] Re:Elmar 2.8/50 Collapsible
From: Vondauster <Vondauster@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 21:40:02 EST

In a message dated 97-12-18 21:19:39 EST, Jim wrote:

<< They are
 exactly the same price ($795), roughly the same useful size, plus an extra
 stop with the Summicron. And everyone knows the 50mm Summicron is a
 landmark lens.
 
 Am I missing something?
 
 Please tell me why, other than possible collector status, the Elmar is
 better than the Summicron. >>

First off, when carried in a small Billingham with the hood off, as I often
do, it _is_ much thinner than a Summicron. Second, I personally find the
images, with what I have read described as "more brittle" sharpness (was that
your review, Erwin?), more pleasing to my eye than those from any of the very
excellent Summicrons I have owned. The colors also seem a bit more - intense?
This is all, of course, subjective. 

It may have something to do with the fact I cut my photographic teeth on an
Elmar. I have always liked the "look" of Tessar formulas, for some reason. The
new Elmar gives me a Tessar shootable at f2.8 - with excellent results. I am
very happy with this.

Will von Dauster