Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/12/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Dec 8, 2004, at 10:20 PM, Frank Filippone wrote: > I wasn't paying attention when this was a topic of interest. I have > searched the archives, but have not been able to find the reference.... > > Were there 2 versions of the lens, one that focused closer than the > other? > Which is which? What is the closer distance? There are a total of four versions of this lens: v01 - 1959-61 (1,645,300 - 1,844,000) The original version was only made for about 2 years and is the shortest lived Leica lens. It utilized a different optical design, than the later versions. Performance is a step above the Summarit, but not a huge leap. This version focused to 1 meter. Clip on hood. v02 - 1962 - 94 (1,844,000 - ???) The optical design was recalculated and remained in production for 40 years, until the arrival of the ASPH version. Over the years there are differences in coatings and manufacturing tolerances, but they all seem to perform the same. Puts claims this version (v02) and v03 perform as a Summicron v03 opened up a stop. Based on my experience with the Lux, Cron-DR and Cron v04 I tend to agree with him. V02 has a clip on hood and focuses to 1 meter. v03 - Summilux-M (1995-2004) Same optical design as v02 but now focuses as close as .7 meters, instead of 1 meter. Newer coatings and the dreaded collapsible hood. v04 - Summilux-ASPH (2004) The best 50 on the planet? Focuses to .7 meters. I have a v03 and like it very much. The ability to focus to .7 meters is very handy. The Lux doesn't have the hard high contrast look of the current Summicron and trails it in corner performance wide open, but by f5.6/f8 they are pretty much equal. I would place it in-between the Summicron-DR and current Summicron. BUT this lens has the 'Leica glow' in spades. It's a real bokeh machine, renders butter-smooth tonal ranges and I think it's better than the Noct at f1.4. It also has a very short focus throw and is surprisingly light and compact. Here are a few examples I shot with mine: http://www.elanphotos.com/ElanFotos/archive/people/pages/dad.htm http://www.elanphotos.com/ElanFotos/archive/people/pages/balance.htm feli _______________________________________________________ feli2@earthlink.net 2 + 2 = 4 www.elanphotos.com