[Leica] Leica R vs. Contax SLR lenses

[drodgers@nextlink.com]

Dave (Yoder)

>>Have you tried the new version 19mm-R?<<

I haven't had the pleasure. I hear it's a superb lens. I've heard good
things about the Contax 21/2.8 (SLR) too. Either one may equal the 21/2.8
ASPH M, but I can't imagine them being better.

Sometimes I think an SLR with ttl viewing with a super-wide would be nice,
especially on a body with a full frame viewfinder. . But I've had very good
luck with my M. The auxillary viewfinder works well, though it takes some
getting used to.

I've had most success with my  21/2.8 ASPH photographing architecture (and
that's the main reason I bought one). It can be used effectively in many
other applications, but super-wides are not that easy to use. My technique
definately needs improvement. The key, I think, is to get extremely close
to the main subject. It sounds easy, but I find it difficult in practice.
Easier to do, perhaps, with an M than an R.

Dave