Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I used to believe the same. But when I started using this zoom, I changed my belief. Read Erwin's reports on this zoom as well as the 70-180 APO. Of course, it will take a Leica zoom to equal or exceed a Leica prime! N.S. - ----- Original Message ----- From: Mark Rabiner <mrabiner@concentric.net> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 1999 3:43 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] Using the R8 & 50 Summicron > "N.S. Ng" wrote: > > > > Hello, > > > > I have been using this lens for about 11/2 years, I purchased this because I > > like to have a short range zoom and on occassions when I want to travel > > light. Many of my shots were taken at f4. My other zoom is a 70-210 > > Angeniuex. I have the 50 Summicron R as well. > > > > The 35-70 f4, is a fine performer. At its widest aperture, f4, its > > performance is better than the 50 Summicron at f4. It seems to be sharper, > > probably due to its higher contrast. I have also compared the performance at > > 35mm. end to my 35 mm. Summicron-M ( non- aspherical) at f.4 and I could not > > see any difference. I have not compared this to my 35mm. Summilux-Asph. At > ><Snip> > > IF the 35-70 f4,zoom is sharper at f4 than the 50 Summicron is more then just a > "fine performer". The 50 Summicron has been lens all other 50mm lenses have > been compared against for decades (but not usually zooms) and defines "Leica" > and I won't go on and on. > That zoom would be on the cover of Time: the man of the year would be a lens...a > technological object. Like the Prozac pill. > Comparing the results of a premium quality if not legendary fixed lens to a zoom > at all is a little unlogical in my opinion but saying the zoom is better is > downright delusional. Wouldn't it be nice if we lived in a world where you could > get a zoom sharper than a 50 Summicron?! I'll dream about that tonight! > Zoom technology has come far hasn't it? NOT THAT FAR! In the morning I'll be > waking up to the real world again. > What the zoom does better is zoom. Everything else is a trade-off. Especially in > anything resembling a flair/backlit situation. Too many elements! Too much wizbang! > Mark Rabiner