Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/06/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Doug, You are right about the quality of the older lens mounts. They are superior to those Leica is currently producing. The optics, however, continue to improve. The current generation of Leica lenses has no equal. But whether the difference in quality between the DR summicron and the current 50mm f2 summicron is sufficient to warrant the addtional funds is completely up to you. I have purchased the 35mm f2 summicron asph and the current 50mm summicron in LTM incarnations (1) because the opticas are superior and (2) because I truly enjoy the irony of shooting with a modern lens on a camera made in 1939, or 1954 or 1962. It depends on whether I'm listening to early Duke Ellington or to Sonny Rollins. Damian Doug Cooper wrote: > > Okay, I've now spent a couple of days with a DR Summicron (thanks to > Ting!), and I have a few thoughts. While I've never been impressed by the > argument that holds the M3, M2 and M4 to be superior mechanically to the > later bodies -- I've worked with both types, and my M4-P is just as nice, > in every way -- I am now utterly convinced of the the superior build > quality of the early lenses. Later, horrendously expensive Leica lenses, > though reasonably well-constructed, feel about as solid as my old Zuikos, > and less solid than the fully metal lenses for the Contax SLR. Frankly, > the new black Voigtlanders feel better (although I'm less happy with the > finish on the chrome versions). > > This DR Summicron, on the other hand, is about as well made as > anything I've ever held in my hands. It's a joy. I'm determined, now, to > buy only the earlier lenses, unless the optical performance of the > recent versions are vastly superior. Call it a fetish thing. > > So. I'm still searching for that perfect 35mm lens. How is that old > chrome Summicron, relative to the fourth generation? And what about the > 35/2.8 Summaron? > > Doug Cooper > > (oh, and thanks for the response re: my IIIc.) - -- http://www.teleport.com/~damian/strings.htm