RE: [Leica] Noct vs 50 'lux

["Rodgers, David" <david.rodgers@xo.com>]

John

I heard something similar to your statement from a Leica rep a while back.
Improving performance of current 50/1.4 M would require increasing the size
of the lens. The current 50/1.4 is excellent. Apparently any performance
gain wouldn't justify the increase in size. 

I can appreciate that philosophy. I like the M system because it's compact.
M lenses perform. But so do lenses in lots of other systems. M lenses are
compact, relative to maximum aperture. That's what sets them apart. My
50/1.4 Summilux is half the size of any 50/1.4 SLR lens. 

I wonder how popular 50mm lenses are these days. I'm guessing the 35/1.4
ASPH outsells the 50/1.4 by quite a bit. I wonder if anyone has any numbers
that might support or refute that. 

Dave      

- -----Original Message-----
From: John Collier [mailto:jbcollier@powersurfr.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2001 6:45 AM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: [Leica] Noct vs 50 'lux


Due to the recent redesign of the Summilux-R, many people have speculated
that a new M version is on the way. However, Leica has stated that they are
not going to be redesigning the Summilux-M anytime soon. While optically
identical to the sixties version, the latest version benefits from improved
manufacturing, coating and assembly techniques. The problem with redesigning
the Summilux-M is that the limiting factor is the size of the front element.
Larger front elements result in more viewfinder obstruction (note the many
complaints against the Noctilux on this account). The latest version has a
mount that focuses to 0.7m and a built in hood. That is as good as it gets
for now (which is pretty darn good indeed).

A brief article on the Summilux-M is available on the LHSA website:

http://www.lhsa.org/

Click on "Viewfinder" and scroll down to the "Volume 31 No. 3, 1998" menu
and select "The 50mm f/1.4 Summilux By Dick Gilcreast"

John Collier


> From: "John R. Fulton Jr." <JRFjr@compuserve.com>
> 
> Quick question.
> Is there a new 50mm f1.4 Summilux?
> I understood that the "old" one was being redesigned/updated but
> never caught up with whether it was true.
> So, are we talking "old", "new" or what?