[Leica] Seeking a new 50

[scott at adrenaline.com (Scott McLoughlin)]

Don,

Thanks for the thoughful reply. How closely does the DR focus
without the "eyes" ?  And wasn't there a lens with the same or
similar optical formula that wasn't dual range?

Regarding the middle 50 Lux, is that the penultimate lens?  Does
the fall off occur only at larger apertures, or at smaller ones as well?

My next question concerns acquisition. I've never purchased an
older Leica lens.  Is it relatively easy to find a clean sample? I read
alot about "cleaning marks" and what not.  I'm not sure what my
expectations should be.

For used Nikon lenses, I've found KEH to be a very reliable vendor.
When they say perfect glass, they usually mean it. But their stock of
Leica lenses isn't that extensive.

Interesting that you put the current Elmar on the list, but not the current
Summicron.  Food for thought.  For now, I've declared the 50/1.4 ASPH
officially "out of my league." I've got to put some limits on this Leica 
lust :-)

Thanks for all the help.

Scott

Don Dory wrote:

>Scott,
>The middle Summilux is a widely loved lens for it's sharp center and
>beautiful falling off to the edges; the transition to oof is quite
>marvelous.
>
>The Dual Range Summicron will give you results to die for as long as do
>not shot in situations that will give you heavy veiling glare.  Sharp
>images with a transition to oof that is marvelous.
>
>The latest Elmar will give you results similar to the 45, only with more
>detail and crisper edges to the edge of the frame.
>
>If you are experimental, the LTM 50 F1.4 Nikkor will give you what you
>want, look at many of Bill Clough's images from last years PAW.  Also,
>the 50mm Canon LTM 1.4 has a wonderful look if you do not require
>ultimate sharpness at 1.4.
>
>My preference is the new 50 ASPH, sharp, virtually flare free, wonderful
>transition to oof, virtually unobtainable.
>
>My next choice would be the DR Summicron, then the new 50 Elmar.
>
>One of the things with older Leica glass is that you can still buy and
>sell with little loss in the transaction, as long as you don't buy
>retail and sell wholesale.
>
>Don
>dorysrus@mindspring.com
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: lug-bounces+dorysrus=mindspring.com@leica-users.org
>[mailto:lug-bounces+dorysrus=mindspring.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf
>Of Scott McLoughlin
>Sent: Friday, March 25, 2005 5:55 AM
>To: Leica Users Group
>Subject: [Leica] Seeking a new 50
>
>Subject lines says it all. I currently own the CV 50/2.5 and 50/1.5. I 
>had high hopes for the 50 Color Skopar, but use the 50 Nokton most of 
>the time.
>
>But neighter really float my boat. The Nokton comes close. Hanging 
>around f5.6 or so, I get lovely fine detail. Shot several animal pics at
>
>the zoo which really brought this to my attention.  But bokeh is a 
>problem with specular highlights, some wiriness and the like.
>
>But I'm seeking out a different "look."  The closest in my current kit 
>is the Nikon 45/2.8P. I find this a lovely lens. Plenty of detail, but 
>no harshness. A kind of smoothness mixed in with the detail. Divine shot
>
>at close to medium focus distance.  Bokeh to die for, and yes, bokeh is 
>important to me in a 50mm FL lense. I'd say that it has a "refined"
>look.
>
>I guess my M-mount candidates are the current Summicron, the pre-ASPH 
>Summilux and the Elmar-M.
>
>The Elmar-M is a tessar based design like my Nikon 45P, so wonder if 
>that is what I'm looking for. It's a little slow, but then I can always 
>shoot HP5 at EI 800, or go out and buy a really fast 35 Lux :-)
>
>The Summicron is the summicron. I read that close-up performance is 
>excellent. Is this a "do no wrong" 50mm legendary lens.
>
>And then the Lux. Don't know much about this one. Most discussions talk 
>about it's low-light performance, but I do hear mention of a beloved 
>"look."  I'd like to learn more about this one.
>
>For background, I shoot B&W pretty much exclusively. Family, friends and
>
>hobbyist documentary and artsy pics. I rarely shoot landscape stuff 
>(just vacations). I scan film and print with an MIS ink set outfitted 
>Epson printer.
>
>Appreciate any help.
>
>Scott
>
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