[Leica] Summicron 35/2 wide open

[Andre Jean Quintal <megamax@abacom.com>]

[ ... ]
>>I dislike most fast films for the obvious image quality reasons and would
>>certainly appreciate an extra stop of usable speed.
>>There also that nasty question of price...I paid $1,100 for my lens
>>new....I was expecting perfection...
[ ... ]
	1/ If you compare your lens with the others available
	when you first got it, is it REALLY that *bad* ?
	Like a high performance car, any technology based
	product has a certain *performance profile*
	that you have to learn to *maximize* as best
	as possible.

	2/ Perhaps, too, with respect, should you accept
	the notion that *you* may be a serious candidate
	for the latest Summicron-M f/2 ASPH,
	if excellent sharpness at f/2, as such, is *critical*
	for your photographic style and other pre-requisite
	demands.
	It seems to me, all told, that you would
	even be an excellent *potential customer*
	for the latest 35mm Summilux-M, the famous f/1.4 ASPH,
	which, by ALL accounts would likely meet or *exceed*
	your defendible expectations of high sharpness
	at f/2, edge to edge even,
	with even enhanced image control features
	brought on by the inbred f/1.4 aperture, as such.

	3/ I'm a bit surprised and puzzled that your subject
	material requires edge to edge high sharpness, at f/2,
	with a 35mm wide-angle lens, when usually such a low light
	level tends to blend in quite positively with a less
	*surgical* level of resolution, even though the
	*reference* f/1.4 ASPH Summilux-M very likely
	would deliver such a "next level up" sharper image at f/2
	and totally redefine your antecedant demands
	at f/5.6, as often reported here, of late, by dedicated
	professionals. For the most part, people who are
	not LEICA aware simply don't imagine such a degree
	of *overall* excellence is available anywhere.

	4/ A fine testimonial to the relevance of continued LEICA
	research & development, the newer 35mm Summicron-M
	f/2 ASPH does deliver shades of higher performance
	in various departments, relative to the older design
	you are blessed with, which probably represented
	an *ultimate* sort of feasible performance when
	first introduced, as usual with LEICA brand optics.
	Hence, to exacting photographers as you,
	it sometimes is appropriate to renew one's equipment
	to keep current.
	If a degree of *stealthiness*, photo *presence* wise,
	is a definite *can't live without it* pre-condition,
	this one begs for your attention.
	Mr Erwin Puts also has established that it seriously
	competes with the *ultimate* f/1.4 ASPH from
	f/4 upwards, which does retain a positive edge, however,
	as confirmed by many users, over the more accessible
	Summicron-M f/2 ASPH, almost half the price
	of the present reference model.

	5/ If, perchance, you happen to be financially well off,
	and a *reference* grade LEICA 35mm monofocal makes sense,
	and a more substantial lens would not hamper any photo
	style-dependent need for unobstrusiveness, you should indulge
	and go about purchasing the Summilux-M f/1.4 ASPH as soon
	as manageable. I hardly could imagine a better
	*potential customer* as you for this reference wide-angle
	which, at f/1.4, would broaden your system's
	accessible photo domain AND allow the use of
	higher resolution film emulsions and cause your
	lab technician to need to operate at the better performance
	apertures of his enlarger's lenses to deliver a
	matching degree of excellence.

	6/ Considering this pertains to a 35mm monofocal
	with a Leica-M camera, it could become quite
	interesting to develop your shooting techniques
	to master the use of hand-held 1/15th second !
	Practise makes perfect.

	7/ Another LEICA M-system broadening monofocal
	contender for your photo budget definitely
	would be the latest 24mm ASPH ultra wide-angle.

	8/ Then, a bit odd but potentially a good compromise
	interim solution, depending on your habitual
	subject matter, it might make sense to consider
	exploring the use of 1, 2 or 3 collapsible reflectors
	to maximize what light energy IS available,
	or balanced multiple TTL flash lighting with a M6 TTL,
	affording not only the possibility of using a higher
	f/stop value, but to achieve quite desireable lighting
	related effects in the finished image,
	possibly adding special effects filters and techniques, too,
	especially where you would wish to enhance 3D tactility,
	augment shadow detailing and exercise better highlights control,
	as in the Zone System for example, in camera,
	even more so with color films.

	Spoiled kids, these LEICA freaks !     ;+>)

	Make yours a great LEICA day!
	Andre Jean Quintal






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