Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/04

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: Re: [Leica] 50mm flare
From: John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>
Date: Sat, 04 Dec 1999 06:24:39 -0700

I am also referring to the 50mm Summicron-M. I apologize for not clarifying
that. Any comments on the 50mm Summilux-M? I am thinking of getting one for
low light work or perhaps I should say lower light work. I find the f1.0
just a little too much of a tank.

John Collier


> I am talking about M.  In my experience, my 50/2Rs were also a bit more
> prone to "flare" than those of N and Z lenses but not so prone to "veiling
> glare" as my 50/2Ms were.  I have used two 50/2M of the current optical
> design (with and without a built-in hood) and found the one with a built-in
> hood was more prone to glare.  It is very hard to understand, and I hope
> mine was exceptional (defective in some manner).
> 
> I use a current 50/2.8M quite often.  This is far more glare-resistant and a
> wonderful lens to me, although some say that its bokeh is rather harsh as
> compared with that of a 50/2M.  I summarised my subjective comments on Leica
> optics at  http://arbos.silva.net/comments.htm.  Just have a look when you
> want to kill time. ;-)
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Mikiro

> 
>> 
>>> 
>> Are we talking about the M or the R.  I have found the R to be flare prone,
>> but not the M.
>> 
>> By the way Mikiro, are you still using the new formula Elmar 50?  If so do
>> you still like it?  The size and weight are looking attractive to me.
>> 
>> Dan
>> 
>> 
>>> 
>>> My Summicron 50mm (latest) is prone to veiling glare even though it is a
>>> superb performer at full aperture in low light situations. :-(  In my
>>> experience, it often gives glare in the center even in shots on cloudy days
>>> with the sky in the upper 1/4 area.  This may be detected more easily in
>>> B&W than in colour.  I have never experienced such glare with lenses....
>>> 
>>> 
>>> At 1:35 AM +0100 4/12/99, John Collier wrote:
>>>> I too have noticed the flare under the noted conditions with the 50mm
>>>> summicron. I was wondering if anyone would know how the later 50mm
>>> summilux
>>>> f1.4 might fare under the same conditions. Well perhaps not only know but
>>>> also would let us know.

>>>> 
>>>>>> There is one complaint I have with the 50 Summicron, especially
>>>>>> compared to
>>>>>> the new 35 Summicron ASPH - FLARE.  Bright, pinpoint sources are
>>> handled
>>>>>> very well by both lenses.  The 50 seems to have a very difficult time
>>>>>> with filtered or diffused backlighting behind the subject.  Better
>>> than most
>>>>>> lenses, but not even close to the 35 Summicron ASPH.<<<
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Agreed, except for the part about it being "better than most lenses."
>>>>> It's not.
>>>>> 
>>>>> It's the #1 weakness of that lens.