Re: [Leica] 50mm Summicron R's

["Dan Post" <dwpost@email.msn.com>]

Fred,
 I have both as well, and did get the third cam added to the Wetzlar lens.
Both are stellar performers, and even though I've only enlarged to 11x14
with them, I would say that they were equal in quality. I do favor the newer
one, however, as the older one has the reversible hood, and notched cap-
sort of cumbersome at times. The 35mm has the same hood, and with it, I
leave the hood on, and cover the front with an old cap for the 135/2.8-R I
had which fits the 35/50 hood.
The newer one is so much simpler to use- slip off the cap- pull out the
attached hood! I'm not totally retro!
Personally, I don't think you'd be able to see the differences in the photos
from the two lenses if they are both in the same shape. It's a matter of
convenience and personal taste. How's that for a 'weasly' answer!?
Cheers,
Dan'l
dwpost@msn.com
- -----Original Message-----
From: Fred Whitlock <afc@cl-sys.com>
To: Leica List <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Sunday, January 25, 1998 8:58 PM
Subject: [Leica] 50mm Summicron R's

>I've been reading with interest some of the exchanges about 50mm lenses.  I
>recently acquired a Leica R system and I've sold off enough of it to get my
>money out of it.  I'm deciding which of the final pieces to keep for
>personal use.  There are two 50 Summicron-R lenses.  One is the Canadian
>model with 55mm filter threads and a slide out lens hood.  I've tested it
>and decided it is about as good as 50mm lenses get for 35mm SLR cameras.  I
>also have an older, 2 cam, German made model with a snap-on lens hood and a
>series VI filter ring.  I haven't tested it but my assumption is that it
>might be more interesting to a collector than to a photographer.  I assume
>the newer one is better optically and, certainly, it is very good.
>
>I've been reading some descriptions here on LUG of older vs. newer Leica
>50's and I'm trying to determine if those descriptions fit my two lenses.
>I'm going to keep one and sell the other.  If I keep the older one, I'll
>send it to Leica for conversion to 3 cam or, if not, I'll sell it.  I
>haven't had very good weather to make comparative tests.  Is it worth my
>while to wait to do so?  Thanks for any input.  I'm a real novice when it
>comes to Leica SLR's.
>
>Fred
>Maplewood Photography
>http://www.maplewoodphoto.com