Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/07/21

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Summilux vs Summicron vs Elmarit
From: Doug Herr <telyt@earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2003 19:44:25 -0700

on 7/21/03 7:01 PM, Tom Christiansen at tomchr@softhome.net wrote:

> Folks,
> 
> Regarding the 50mm lenses for the R system: What are people's opinions on
> the different types (f/1.4, 2, 2.8)?
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Tom
> 

If f/1.4 is your thing, then the latest Summilux-R (the one with E60 filter
threads) is the one you want.  Nothing - not even from Canon or Zeiss - is
as good as this lens.  The older versions of the Summilux-R are good but
were bettered by C and Z.

The current model Summicron (E55 filters) is also a first-rate lens.  They
don't make 'em any better, and if you are buying used the price is almost
reasonable.  

There has been only one optical version of the 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens, 'cuz
there was nothing to improve on.  The design is about 30 years old and I
think the latest Nikon 60mm f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor will give comparable quality.
The 55mm Micro-Nikkors are as sharp but color saturation isn't as good as
the Macro-Elmarit-R.  IMHO the version that uses Series VIII filters in the
hood is the most versatile because you can either use E60 filters or use
Series VIII filters and you still can use the hood.

Among the R lenses the choice comes down to low-light vs. economical vs.
macro focussing.  They're all excellent lenses.

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