Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/02/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]What truth has not been told here regarding the Super Elmar, Mehrdad? I have the Zeiss Distagon f/4 18. It is an excellent lens on the M8. For Frank; I also referred to the Elmar f3.8 24. I have that one too. It is superb. To see the extreme edge performance of the 18's or 24 you need to shoot film right now. Leica now already have published the MTF diagrams for the Super Elmar, which was very quick. On those the Super Elmar outperforms the Distagon in every area but distortion. Of course I don't know what differences will be apparent in practical use. The only negative that I have now found is that the new Leica lens will require a specialised UV/IR filter that goes between the lens hood and lens. On the other hand, the hood is a very much more efficient design than that of the Zeiss, which is vestigial. With the Zeiss lens, you need to also pay for a replacement lens flange or have the existing flange machined, if you want to add the 6 bit coding. Now Leica is releasing this new design which was widely requested , (and at a moderate price) but you're suggesting they were forced to do it by outside pressure. Sheesh, you are pretty tough to please. Its great for users to have the option of different lens brands and price points. Its not valid to suggest that the Zeiss designed, Cosina made 18mm must be as good as the Super Elmar, because "Zeiss have been making 18mm lens for a long time" They are made to a price point and I agree this particular lens is fine. at least my example. You might note that Zeiss had to delay availabilty on one of their German made M lenses (the 85) because initial production failed to meet standards. At least one of the Zeiss designed Cosina made SLR lenses has run into a similar problem. I've owned three previous "voigtlander" rangefinder lenses and two of them had significant centering issues. The third worked well but did not perform in difficult light the way my modern Leica glass does (veiling glare). End of rant. I just get frustrated with what I see as frequent negative comment against Leica irrespective of what they do, on what is ostensibly a Leica enthusiast list. 2009/2/19 mehrdad <msadat@gmail.com> > i really doubt it will be much better than the ziess, after all ziess have > been making 18mm lens for a long time, but it seems outside pressure is > making leica move, the ziess 18 was a huge success with the leica owners, > super sharp, small and "affordable", never the less i am Happy they are > rolling out more m lenses. the performance of the lens i will wait and see, > i am hoping you all did not forget the m8 rollout where users discoverd the > acidental IR filters needed to use the camera, so from now on i let the > truth be told > > On Wed, Feb 18, 2009 at 10:11 PM, Frank Filippone <red735i@earthlink.net > >wrote: > > > Well, that is 3 times the cost of the Zeiss 18....... I guess it is not > a > > $7K lens, so that is good.... > > > > We need to see and hear about comparisons....... On M8 AND on film! > > > > Did someone say that Erwin has an article out on the Leica 18? I went > > looking and could not find it..... > > > > Frank Filippone > > red735i@earthlink.net > > > > > > > > OpticsUSA of Boston says $2895.00. > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Leica Users Group. > > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > > > > -- > ------------------------------------- > regards, mehrdad > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > -- Cheers Geoff 'Licence to Chill'