Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/08/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mark, Erwin says that the new "Summarits" are Summicron designs downsized. Smaller maximum aperture means much much easier to reduce aberrations. (read cheaper to make as well). I agree that they should be viable choices for other reasons than cost, as well. The current Summilux 50 asph is only related by name to the earlier version. Lux = fast. It sounds like the new Summarits are similarly only sharing a label with the early 1.5 50. Part of the raison d'?tre of the exotic and expensive technology (in the asph designs) is how well it works wide open or nearly so. No harder to focus at f2 or f5.6 than any other lens. I agree that you might not use it wide open much of the time. Nice to have all the same. For some folks it is worth it, for others an unwarranted expense. Mine works better than my former Summicron in difficult against the light situations. Specifically it gives superb clarity of colour and tone within the shadows (no veiling glare, ever). I regarded the current Summicron 50 as superbly accurate and sharp. I only occasionally ran into unpredictable flare. I've had 8 or 10 of the Nikkor 50's over the years. They were sharp, maybe a little cool in colour rendition. I think that they are ridiculously cheap second hand and superb value. The current AF Thai production seems just as sharp. It does not even remotely resemble the older manual focus lens in build. I don't recall anguish about flare. Maybe having the best Leica glass makes you push them more (and appreciate the tools quality). Cheers Hoppy I like my 50 Summicron....... better than my 1.4 ai Nikkor. But not that much better than my 1.8 Nikkor which I paid 99.99 for made in Thailand. But that lens is an exceptional phenomenon. Its on my camera now. My D40x. Which is my at this point in time main ax. That's right I'm shooting with a 99 dollar lens. F 1.8 and be there.And loving it. A 75 as it translates to the DX crop circle. There have been many discussions on the LUG on how the 50 Summicron is a bit long in the tooth. But were over shadowed by the longer in the tooth Summilux. Which was remedied. With much over kill and over the top technology with all kinds of mechanizations people have been having all kinds of trouble with. Like focusing it. Its no wonder a lower tech approach to other various issues is now being considered. Mark William Rabiner Harlem, NY rabinergroup.com _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information