Re: [Leica] 50/1.4 R - new & unnoticed

[John McLeod <johnmcleod@worldnet.att.net>]

Lucien,

I guess Leica must have felt the need to upgrade the performance of its 50
Summilux, probably both on the R and M side (now and later, respectively).
While I welcome improvements to this lens, a lens which can very useful in
low light, I agree that Leica Fotografie's enthusiasm for this lens appears
lower than for the new 180.  And I must add that I have tested several of
the new 50/1.4's.  I was impressed with the contrast and edge of frame of
frame sharpness, but not with the center sharpness from 1.4 to 2.8.  In this
one respect, I have seen better performance from Nikon and Canon.  In other
respects (contrast, edge of frame sharpness, and light fall-off), the Leica
appears to be better.  My sense is that the lens has been improved in
various ways (e.g. fall-off, coma, edge of frame sharpness), but for those
who long for a 50 that is very sharp in the center at 1.4 or 2.0, they may
not find it with the new Summilux.  I hope I'm wrong on this.

John McLeod



From: Lucien <lucien@ubi.edu> 
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us 
Subject: Re: [Leica] 50/1.4 R - new & unnoticed 
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 15:47:19 +0200 

John McLeod wrote:

>If I recall, I don't think there has been one message or 
>inquiry about the new 50/1.4 R lens.  
>Everyone wants to talk about the new 180, which is 
apparently superb, but the lowly 50 goes unnoticed.  
>Is there anyone out there who awaits Erwin's test 
>of the 50 as I do?

In my subjective opinion, I don't see why Leica is coming
with a new R-50/1,4 now, before other new lenses which are
much more in demand, like new R-21/2,8, R-24/2,8, 
professional zoom like 20-35/2,8 etc..
And on top of that, I feel inconfortable with all
the Leica or Leica Fotografie reports about that lens.
When I compare with the 180/2,8 APO report, I don't
feel the same enthusiam about the increase of performance.
(Really a personnal and subjective opinion)
And more important, I don't see any progress in the 
filter size increase = filter more expensive (Polarizer)
and no Elpro.

Lucien