Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/01/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Dear All, Recently, I was unexpectdly offered the chance to buy a used 50mm/1.4 Summilux-M (Wetzlar version with slotted shade, vintage ~1973). It was in ex+ condition and the asking price was only $650, so I "struck while the iron was hot", not wanting to miss a bargain. Now, I hadn't really considered the 50 Summilux before I bought it, having been forced to make a hurried decision, so I was curious to see what information and comments there might be about it on the web, such as archived posts. I was rather surprised to see that relatively little has been said in favour of this lens. It seems to be overshadowed by other M lenses (e.g. Noctilux, 50 'cron, 75 'lux and 35 'lux ASPH). Leica seems to have neglected it, having made no significant improvements in the last 18 years or so, apart from reducing the minimum focusing distance. To me, the 50 Summilux provides the ideal compromise of speed, size, weight and cost. My only other lenses are a 3E and a 90 Elmarit-M, so I thought that the 'lux would be a useful addition for use in low available light. I've found this to be true and have been very pleased with the results. So why is it that the 50 Summilux seems to be the poor cousin of other lenses in the M stable? Regards, ===== Ray "The trouble with resisting temptation is you never know when you'll get another chance!" __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html