Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/10/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mark, I know you are speaking about the Summicron for the M, but, now the owner of a Summicron-R, I would have to agree with you. I can't speak for the similarities between the two, but I find the Summicron-R to be one of the best lenses that I have owned. Jim Nichols Tullahoma, TN USA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Rabiner" <mark at rabinergroup.com> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org> Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 4:18 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] Zeiss Normal 50mm f/2 Planar T* ZM >> Marty- >> >> Here's the listing on B&H's site at $692: >> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/361551-REG/Zeiss_1365661_50mm_f_2_ZM_Len >> s.html >> >> I think I got it right :) >> >> Wendy >> >> On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 4:06 PM, Marty Deveney <benedenia at gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >>> Mark, >>> >>> The cheapest $US price I can find is $876. The Leica 50/2 is $1995 >>> and the 50/2.5 is $1295. None of the Zeiss lenses are exactly >>> "budget" lenses. The Nikkor 50/1.8 that you have often sung praises >>> of, that's a budget lens. If you can direct me to the $600 ones I'll >>> buy a pile and on-sell them. >>> >>> Have you tried a ZM 50/2? Erwin says: "Now at last we have a lens >>> that equals the Summicron-M 50mm and is even a trace better in the >>> curvature of field area." >>> http://www.imx.nl/photo/zeiss/zeiss/page65.html I found the same to >>> be true. Its resistance to flare is much better. I agree the >>> mechanical construction is not as good as a Leica lens, or as good as >>> the Konica Hexanon 50/2, which appears to me to be the best >>> constructed modern 50/2 for M cameras (the seven-element Summicrons >>> are the 'most built' ever, but they are all now approaching 50 and >>> optical design, glass making and other factors have come a long way >>> since then). >>> >>> The flare in this shot with the 50/2 Summicron: >>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/freakscene/Russia/St_P_XXXV.jpg.html >>> was what finally made me stop using my 50 Summicron. It did it often. >>> In extended use the Zeiss didn't do that sort of thing: >>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/freakscene/Randomness/File1101.jpg.html >>> and neither did the Konica: >>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/freakscene/Randomness/File1187.jpg.html >>> >>> Some day when we catch up, I will bring a big pile of prints, all >>> three lenses (I still have them all) and a lens spanner so you can >>> pull them apart and have a look at how you think they're constructed. >>> >>> Marty >>> >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 8:29 PM, Mark Rabiner <mark at rabinergroup.com> >>> wrote: >>>>> It's optically better than the Leica 50/2: it doesn't flare and the >>>>> formula has been tweaked. Even Erwin puts says it is an improvement. >>>>> Mechanically the ZM lenses aren't as sturdy as the Leica ones, but it >>>>> seemed sturdy enough to me that it would survive just fine. >>>>> >>>>> The Summilux ASPH is another thing altogether. It's the ultimate (in >>>>> both senses of the word) fast (as opposed to superfast) 50. >>>>> >>>>> Marty >>>> >>>> >>>> The ZM glasses are of a lesser quality. >>>> The tolerances are lower. >>>> Its a 600 dollar lens. >>>> Leica lenses cost thousands. >>>> They could be made for hundreds with cheaper glass. Lower tolerances. >>>> No one would try to pawn them off as "better". >>>> >>>> Mark William Rabiner >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Leica Users Group. >>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > While a Nikon or Canon or any other company for an SLR has a 50mm 1.4 as > their front runner flagship lens the number one lens you always think > about > with Leica is the Summicron. > You think Leica you think Summicron. > f2 and be there. 50mm. > Yes relatively speaking its not been tweaked recently. > The specs do not shine like some new designs. > It has no movable elements for super close focusing results. No ASPH's. > But its Leica through and through. > It was my first Leica lens as it was most the people here I'm sure. > It can be bought used for the same price as this plastic junk you are > saying > has a worse feel than a Konica. > I've never got flare with mine, never. Its given me nothing less than > perfect results its the lens still that all other lenes get compared > against. > > I may put a 99 dollar 50mm 1.8 on my Nikon DSLR but its not part of my > Leica > experience. I don't think I'm getting what I get with my Leica stuff its a > stop gap measure. > I didn't go out and by a Tamron and say its better. Or a Sigma. > You can get Leica glass from the 80's, 70's, 60's, 50's, 40's, 30's and > pick > your price point. Plenty of flavor. > > > > Mark William Rabiner > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > >