Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/11/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Well here we go again Mike. Just like before, where are the facts? A juorno with a vested interest in maintaining good relationships with his source recounted a conversation that served the interests of the source. That old rumour has also just recently been around this group for the nth time. Without some facts (factory records, maybe Steve Gandy can get them) it can't be more than a rumour. I cast, however, no aspersions on anyone, I'm just saying that without verifiable facts, we just don't know. As for prices, I don't know where you look. I'm sure you'll be able to tell us where we can find DR's in fine condition but w/o goggles for <$300. I'd suggest that the most frequently encountered pricing system used by experienced dealers/market makers for the two versions in the same condition is DR w/o goggles = same price as contemporaneous Rigid DR w/goggles = higher. But then then also see my humble-pie-consuming reply to Marc, where he and I had opposing experiences. A statistically meaningless collection of some of today's prices that I got real quick showed a different reality to the views we espoused. Alistair - -----Original Message----- From: Mike Johnston [mailto:michaeljohnston@ameritech.net] Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 2:00 PM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: [Leica] DR not as good? Harumph again >>>IMHO, if you don't need the closeness, avoid this lens [[[the 7-element DR Summicron]]]. It is generally more expensive than the rigid (collectors!), offers imvho no measurable optical advantages (the optical formula was the same as the then-current rigid), and ergonomically it is clumsier (ring spacing/closeness) and heavier<<< Actually, it _can_ be better. Those were the days of significant sample variation and much wider manufacturing tolerances than are common now, and Leitz reserved the best optical heads for the DR models. I was told this by Arthur Kramer, optical columnist for the old _Modern Photography_ and good friend to many of the "old guard" at E. Leitz. Also, it can be cheaper...because you can sometimes find the DR without eyes, which makes it a very nice 50mm for $300 or so. - --Mike