Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/20

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Subject: Re: [Leica] 90mm Elmarit/Summicron Quandry
From: Guy Bennett <guybnt@idt.net>
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1999 14:05:08 -0800

roger,

faced with the same choice, i've opted to wait for the summicron 90...to be
made in the chrome finish! i currently use 35 and 50 summicrons, and find
myself shooting most of the time at f/2 (and occasionally wishing i had an
extra stop...or two). i know that the elmarit is touted as a fantastic lens
- - and i'm sure that is true - but everything i've read about the new
summicron 90 says no less, AND it's a stop faster. i have yet to see any
mention that the new summicron 90 will be offered in chrome, but i assume
(and you know what that means) that it will, since leica seems to be
releasing just about everything (most recently, the tri-elmar and the hm m6
ttl) in chrome. maybe there'll be an annoucement at the next photokina...

guy

>Just looking for views on whether to get the new APO f2/90 Summicron
>or the f2.8 /90 Elmarit when I buy my new lens for my M6 next month.
>
>I don't expect to use the extra stop all that often, except possibly
>for the reduced depth of field.  The weight advantage of the Elmarit
>is also in its favour as I expect to use the 90mm out and about.
>Another factor, small but difficult to ignore, is that I can get it
>in silver chrome to match my Leica.  I'm also wary about buying a
>relatively new product.  The reported stiffness after pressing the
>Summicron's focusing ring is a bit off-putting.
>
>The main question is which is the better lens?  Does the the
>Summicron as a later lens offer better resolution and contrast at 2.8
>than the Elmarit?  From reading Erwin's test this would appear to be
>so.  But would it be so apparent in practise that I need to bring it
>into account.  I should say that I will be using the lens for
>enlargements up to 20 x 16.
>
>Regards
>
>Roger Underwood