Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/12/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Jim, You say the prices are the same. Dealer cost on the Elmar is 840US, retail is higher. Yes there is a 100.00 rebate. Are you referring to used-lenses? Rumor has it that they will discontinue the lens. The lens is lighter than the Summicron. The lens hood is always an option whereas it is not with the summicron. Look at me defend my Elmar. The extra stop would be nice. Steve At 05:30 PM 12/18/97 -0800, you wrote: >-----Original Message----- >From: Steve Hickel <smhickel@x2.alliance.net> > >>I like the small footprint of the lens with it in the body. Makes for an >>easy to carry camera and lens. No other lens currently sold by Leica offers >>that compactness. I learned something about storage in the bag. You mention >>the lens cap coming off, I burned up my battery in two days because as best >>I can figure the shutter was cocked and the way I had the M6 stored must >>have depressed the meter for a long time. The battery was dead after only >>using it a few times. >> > >This is not to denigrate the Elmar or anyone who buys one. It's for my >personal photographic information and needs. > >I just went to my local dealer and looked at this lens (New Collapsible >Elmar). It's a nice looking lens but a couple of downside features hit me. >One, the lens shade screws on. With the lens collapsed, and the shade off, >it is difficult to "dig out" the lens from the base. I had to use my finger >nails. Perhaps after it loosens up, it would be easier. This means that >while carrying an M camera with this lens attached, you basically have to >have the lens shade attached. If for no other reason other than to pull out >the lens. I always use a lens shade while taking pictures. > >So I set the latest 50mm Summicron next to the Elmar. With the Summicron's >lens shade collapsed, the lens is basically the same size as the collapsed >Elmar with shade attached. And the shade is built-in to the Summicron (like >my R lenses.) The fact that the Elmar's lens shade is separate, and almost >needs to be always attached, leads me to opt for the Summicron. 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. > >Thanks, > >Jim > >