Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/01/24

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Summicron-M 50mm or Summilux-M 50mm?
From: The Barkers <rbarker@polarnet.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 1998 01:26:02 -0800

>I am afraid I am going to ask a rather difficult question.
>
>What are the relative merits of the Summicron-M 50mm f/2.0 and the
>Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 for the M6. Tests are not always quite clear on the
>issue, although I get the impression that the Summicron often receives
>better test results than the Summilux.
>
>Does anyone have experience with both lenses? Which lens should be
>preferred in terms of highest overall optical quality?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Pascal
>
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Pascal - I'm going to mention a factor that was a deciding matter for me
that had no relationship to the optics.  The focus helix on the 50 mm
Summilux is very slow in comparison with the f 2.  To go from infinity to 3
feet required repositioning my hands 3 times on the barrel much to slow.  I
wrote Leica about this some years back and I don't know whether the latest
ones are speeded up.  All my off topic SLR cameras all use very fast helix.
The slow focus for accuracy argument doesn't hold, it just confuses the eye.

  Jim


James H. Barker (Jim) - jbarker@polarnet.com
High Latitude Documentary / Ethnographic Photography
Fairbanks, Alaska